Meekness & Fear

When it comes to studying the Bible, it's important to realize that it is God's Word. He is everywhere present and sees exactly what we are doing and the very intent of our hearts (Heb 4:12). For this we should come to the Bible with meekness and fear. Below, I've outlined some of what I consider to be key elements to keep in mind as we seek truth from the Bible.

Basis of our Trust

First and foremost, GOD has to open the scriptures to us. We should be careful not to put our trust in any seminary degree, Bible courses taken etc. While it is important to do word studies, we should not let that be the basis of finding truth. Many people have spent years searching the Bible through word studies and other methods and yet, they appear to still be far from truth. God uses words loosely; one word can have many different meanings.

• Lu 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

• Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

• 1Jo 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:...

• 2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Now is the Time

While God the Holy Spirit was present during the church age guiding His people, most of scripture was sealed till the time of the end (our day). Today (separation of wheat and tares and judgment day) is when God is removing the seals from the Bible. Now is the time to study the Bible more than ever.

• Da 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

• Re 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

• Re 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

• Joe 2:19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

• Eze 39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

Seek the Lord in Prayer

While this may seem obvious, but God is not a respecter of persons. In a time when many are seeking for truth, it's also important to go straight to the Lord and tell Him all about it. Let Him know you are confused and that you don't know who or what to believe.

• 1Pe 5:5 ......for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

• Ps 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

• Ps 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

• Isa 66:2 .....but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

• Col 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

• 1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

A Desire to be Obedient

Obviously God's people continue to struggle with sin, to some degree, because they've not yet received a sinless body. Nevertheless we should always come clean before God admitting and confessing faults as we continue to weed out sin and walk towards Holiness. He knows our sins anyway so it's no use trying to cover them.

• Ps 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

• Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

• Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

• Pr 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

• Pr 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

God's Will, not Ours

Sometimes we may not even realize that we share the Gospel because we're happy with what we've come to understand as truth. We suspect we maybe in error, but we try to weigh the pros and cons. We're happy with what we believe the Bible is teaching and making correction would force us to admit we were wrong.

I find this to be true in my own life and so I have to pray for wisdom. If this is the case, we have to ask the question: Am I trying to please myself or do I want God's Will to be done through my ministry? After all God has a bird's-eye view of the whole salvation process and He is in control. Therefore we want to be sure we don't offer resistance. Those who do may not realize that God can harden their hearts so that they go deeper in this sin of pride. A good remedy for this is to always be willing to consider and make corrections:

• 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

• Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

• Lu 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

• Ac 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Recognize the Work of God's Messengers

If we believe we've found truth through other Bible teachers, we shouldn't hesitate to let them and others know that we are grateful the Lord was able to use them to communicate to us. Of course God gets ALL the glory and while today He Himself is feeding the flock, He does use other messengers to reach His people.

• Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

• Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

• Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

• Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

Patience is a Virtue

God does not work in the lives of each person the same way. He may give more understanding to some than others. Therefore we should be patient with all men. We should also not be quick to dismiss the teachings of others for personal reasons. Only God knows who His people are. Knowledge is not an indication of Salvation. Also not everyone who's come out of the church is necessarily a true believer. Lot's wife was already outside of the city when judgment came upon her.

• Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, (our day of judgment) Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

• Mt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

• Da 11:34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

• Lu 17:32 Remember Lot‘s wife.

• La 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

• Ro 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

• Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Defend your Beliefs

Finally, if we really believe we've come to truth, we should not be afraid to humbly stand behind our beliefs. It's an easy temptation to compromise God's Word for the sake of getting along with others. Some maybe afraid to share what they've learned from the Bible for fear they'll be ridiculed or looked upon as being different. It's possible the Lord may test people this way; so we should stand for what we believe in. With God it's never been about consensus; because many people are going in the same direction, doesn't necessarily mean they're going the right way.

• Mt 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

• Mt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

• Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

• 1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

• 1 Ki 19:10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

• Mt 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

• Mt 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

It is my prayer that you will keep some of these Biblical principles in mind as you seek for truth and to share the Word with others.