Sunday, October 18, 2015
am
GOING ON TO PERFECTION
(31)
The Christian and Bible Study (2)
Attitudes in Bible Study
This month we are examining the subject of Bible study as we strive to
go toward perfection.
Understanding the word of God is crucial to doing His will.
Many THINK they are serving God, but in reality their approach to
His word keeps them from properly applying His precepts.
As we study the word of God a proper attitude is crucial.
So today, let us discuss both proper and improper attitudes in
Bible study.
a.
In scripture we can see
examples of God’s word misused.
Much of that stems from improper attitudes toward His word (and
study)
2 Peter 3:15-16 – they twist the scriptures to their own destruction.
Matthew 22:29 - You are mistaken, not knowing the scriptures or the
power of God.
Matt. 15:3-9 – the word of God was made void by their traditions.
b.
To find “proof texts”
–
i.
Some study to prove what
they want it to say and what they already believe.
They approach the word of God
with prejudice - with
preconceived ideas and no intention of changing.
ii.
They will search far and
wide within God’s word to find justification for their conduct, even if
it is not there. Such will
readily do violence to proper interpretation if it proves their point.
iii.
Jesus, in dealing with
the Jewish leaders, dealt with this attitude throughout His teaching.
They had in mind what kind of “messiah” they wanted and Jesus did
not fit that mold, so they rejected Him with ungodly attitudes toward
scripture – called Him names, exaggerated and misrepresented His conduct
and teachings, made false accusations, mocked Him, bullied others into
rejecting Him, etc.
iv.
Some today, approach scripture the same way
– they are determined to justify that which is not authorized so they
twist scriptures. Consider
the homosexual agenda among professed believers – they say texts do not
mean what they say, redefine words, discredit the accuracy and relevance
of the Bible today, etc.
v.
This explains why some
reject baptism for the remission of sins though scripture plainly
teaches it (Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 22:16, etc.).
They are convinced that we are saved by “faith only” and refuse
to accept passage that contradicts that doctrine.
vi.
Brethren are not immune
from this either – i.e. MDR, proper worship, leadership qualifications,
etc.
vii.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
tells us that God will allow those that do not love the gospel to
believe the lie.
c.
To find contradictions, odd sayings, etc.
i.
There are critics of the
Bible who want to reject it, so they look for mistakes and contradictory
statements. Their goal is
not to consider the overall message of scripture but to find fault with
so-called inconsistencies.
Even though a plausible answer can be given to every
one of them, or perhaps an acknowledgment that there are some
things we cannot understand, such claim such is not acceptable (see
their prejudice above) and cause to reject scripture.
ii.
Others are looking for
trivial things – longest and shortest verse, chapter, etc.
or hard sayings and enigmas, etc.
Focus on such trivial knowledge demonstrates a lack of interest
in the divine message of God’s word.
d.
To impress others
–
i.
Some study the Bible
because they want others to know how much they know and to make them
look smarter than others.
Others will look for a passage to stump the teacher or preacher (which
supposedly demonstrates their deeper knowledge).
NOTE: I am not speaking of legitimately questioning a passage for
clarification or correction.
ii.
Typically those that do
this will take passages out of context and ask questions that are
difficult to answer – endless genealogies and fables, striving about
words, profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely
called knowledge, etc. (1
Tim. 1:3, 6:20-21, 2 Tim. 2:14, etc.).
iii.
Matt 23:6-7 speaks of
the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees who loved the best seats and to
be called “Rabi” (a title of knowledgeable distinction).
“Many words” – Matt. 6:7 – long prayers, etc.
iv.
2 Tim. 2:15 calls for us
to study to present OURSELVES approved, not the approval others.
e.
Thinking you cannot
understand
it unless you belong to “a special class” of people.
i.
Many think that they
cannot understand the Bible without the help of preachers or elders.
They take their words at face value, without investigating for
themselves (not like the Bereans – Acts 17:11).
Some in the religious world – both Catholicism and Protestantism imply
this. Catholicism makes a
distinction between “clergy” and “laity”.
Many denominations, before one can preach he must be “ordained”
which involves a level of theological studies at a higher institution of
their acceptance.
ii.
As noted last week, the
Bible is written for the common man.
Letters were written to congregations for the brethren to read,
study and apply. Eph. 5:17 –
understand what the will of the Lord is.
iii.
1 Cor. 1:18 speaks of
how the word is foolishness to those perishing – both Jews and Gentiles
(elite) made demands, while Christians simply see it as the power of God
and will study for themselves.
f.
To find “sound bites” –
i.
Do you ever hear a
politician quote scripture to prop up some ideology or political cause?
They might take a short scripture (often totally out of context)
to imply God’s approval for their cause.
This is particularly true while seeking compromise with others –
they might say, “The Bible says, ‘Judge not, lest you be judged’,
so we need to be tolerant of the views of others.
They have found a “proof text” but it is NOT what the text
actually meant.
ii.
One source says a few
years ago, when a building was completed, the preacher quoted John
19:30, “It is finished” as the building was “dedicated”.
Obviously, it was taken out of context,
g.
Such attitudes are a
failure to “rightly divide the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15)
a.
On the other hand, there
are proper attitudes that need to be present if we are to glean from the
word of God its intended meaning as we study.
Consider the following
b.
With faith
–
i.
Believe it is the word
of God – for the Bible to have any meaning we must first accept that it
is from God. If that be
true, we MUST study to accept its teachings as true
ii.
This attitude is crucial
if we are to devote adequate efforts to glean its real meaning.
iii.
Far too many today
reject the Bible as God’s word – they do NOT receive it by faith.
That is why they can reject and manipulate it in their lives.
Romans 9:32-33 – Israel was rejected because they did not pursue the law
of righteousness by faith, but rather by works of the law.
They did some of what God said, but they really didn’t believe
Him!
iv.
As we study God’s word,
we need to believe it contains, “all things that pertain to life and
godliness” (2 Peter 1:3)
c.
With reverence –
i.
As noted last week, the
Bible is the word of God – the way He speaks to us.
ii.
2 Tim. 3:15 – the Holy
Scriptures.
iii.
1 Thessalonians 2:13, “For
this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received
the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word
of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively
works in you who believe.”
iv.
One of my concerns with
loose translations (paraphrase Bibles – The Word, The Message, the
Living Bible, etc.) is that often they fail to render due reverence to
the word of God.
Even if it is created with good intentions and a desire for accuracy,
there are sacred teachings that need to be addressed keeping that intact
– NOT desiring to bring God and His word down to man’s level where it
becomes common. The idea of
“profane” is to take that which is sacred and make it common – (like
Esau did with his birthright – Hebrews 12:16)
v.
When we study His word,
we need to treat it with a reverent attitude.
d.
Intending to obey
–
i.
Anything less than this
in our studies in inadequate.
ii.
Matt. 28:19-20 – teach
them to observe all things commanded
iii.
Luke 6:46, Jesus Himself said, “Why
do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do the things which I say?”
iv.
A genuine desire to obey
will give us the attitude to properly interpret scripture.
John 7:16–17, “16
Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent
Me. 17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know
concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or
whether I speak on My
own authority.”
v.
James 1:25, “But
he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues
in it, and is not a
forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in
what he does.”
e.
With an open mind and
love for the truth
i.
All the above improper
attitudes describe a closed mind to the truth.
Because one’s motives are impure, they will never get out of
scripture what is intended.
ii.
Jesus was rejected
because of closed eyes and closed minds – Matthew 13:14-15.
iii.
Stephen was stoned to
death because of closed minds and closed ears – Acts 7:57-58.
iv.
2 Thess. 2:10-12
describes those who are deceived by Satan as those who did not receive
the love of the truth.
v.
John 3:19-21 ties these
together as Jesus contrasts followers of light and darkness.
Those who desire the truth will come to the light!
f.
A desire to learn –
i.
One reason many don’t
study today as they ought to is because they really don’t want to do it.
For one reason or another, the desire is not there.
ii.
Matthew 5:6 describes
those who hunger and thirst after righteousness – they shall be filled.
iii.
2 Tim. 2:15 – be
diligent, “study.” (KJV)
iv.
Psalm 1:2 – His law is
his meditation day and night
v.
When we realize that we
are dealing with matters of eternity we must desire to know what is
necessary to be on the right side of judgment – Romans 14:10, We shall
all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10).
vi.
Do we desire to be able
to digest meat? (Heb. 5:12)
Men, do you desire to be able to lead as an elder?
Women, do you desire to be the type of women God wants you to be
in holiness and purity. All
these things require genuine effort which will only come from desire.
g.
Expect to understand what you are reading
- not to be redundant, as we addressed the opposite of this earlier, but
you need a mindset that says the time you spend studying His word is
beneficial to you.
Perhaps other attitudes could be added to this list, but we see here the
importance of studying God’s word with a proper mindset.
Without it, God’s word becomes less than what He intended!
I am sure none of us desires that.
So how is your attitude toward God’s word?
Think about it!