How to Understand and Apply the Bible, Lesson 6
Read with me from God’s Word. Psalm 19:7-14
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Just a classic text on the joy and delight of Scripture, I believe we read it the first lesson, but just wanted to read it again, just as a praise. Reading Scripture, especially the Psalms, is a form of worship.
Welcome to 30 minute classes, a course of 15 Bible lessons, all about 30 minutes each. Our topic for this course is “How to Understand and Apply the Bible.” In this sixth lesson, we’ll ask and try to answer the question? “Who Can Study the Bible.”
But let's do some review—first, the doctrine of Scripture, we’ve gone over it several times now. I think we could probably just list the attributes at this point. Let’s run through them real quick.
We’ve learned that the Bible is authoritative. It is powerful and it creates obligations. We’ve learned that the Bible is inspired. It’s breathed out by God. The Bible is inerrant. There’s no errors in it. And the Bible is infallible, it cannot err. We also learned that the Bible is sufficient. It gives us all the words we need for salvation, faith, and life. The Bible is clear. It’s understandable—clear enough for each of us to perform our present responsibilities. The Bible is complete. There’s no new revelation, no one’s adding to God’s words. And lastly, the Bible is effective. It always does just what it was intended to do.
Alright. Hopefully these all make sense, but if there’s still questions, let’s get them cleared up, because we’ve already begun to build on that foundation. Let’s now review lessons 4 and 5.
We moved on from what Scripture is, to asking can it be trusted. We asked, is the Bible trustworthy?
Now, this is where some Bible teachers will get into evidential apologetics. Apologetics are when we give a defense of something. So, evidential apologetics are when we use science or archaeological evidence to make a defense of the trustworthiness of Scripture.
And that’s a good approach, and I’ve given some great resources, if you’re interested. Books written by Josh McDowell and Lee Stroebel are good. But I didn’t really get into that kind of evidence back in lesson 4. And that’s because I’m more of a presuppositional apologist. Meaning that I’d much rather just admit that we all got our presuppositions, beliefs that we start with and then circle back to. I’m not embarrassed by the fact that I think the Bible is trustworthy because the Bible says it is. Whenever anybody argues for ultimate meaning, they’ll always argue in a circle, that’s just the way it works. So, let’s just recognize that, and maybe appeal to other things. And of course, at that point we’re getting into a whole other apologetics class, which maybe we’ll do later.
So, the Bible is God’s words, he put his words in the mouths of apostles and prophets, and they wrote those words down. And we had to ask, did all those words get PRESERVED as they were passed down? The answer is yes. We can be confident that we got God’s words. Now, it’s true that we got copies of those originals. And God didn’t necessarily authenticate every copy. But considering what’s involved in passing down the Bible through history, compared to other ancient writings, the Bible is miraculously, nearly identical to our best manuscripts. So, yes, the Bible can be trusted.
Alright in the last lesson, we gave you eight reasons why you should study the Bible, let me list those first and then we’ll review: 1. Truth, 2. Happiness, 3. Victory over Satan, 4. Victory over demons, 5. Victory over temptation, 6. Growth, 7. Power, and 8. Guidance.
Alright, let’s talk about these. The first reason you should study the Bible is because it’s the source of truth. John records Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17:17, it says: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” So God’s word is truth, but what do we mean by truth? Truth is ultimate reality. It’s what everyone’s searching, they’re searching for meaning. Sadly, most people are looking in the wrong place. 2 Timothy 3:7 says that people are “always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
And this is fairly obvious, we see the search all around us. People are out there searching for truth, for some ultimate experience to give them meaning. Remember, we talked about extreme tourism, where it’s no longer good enough to just climb the tallest mountains, now people are visiting the most dangerous places in the world, and intentionally putting themselves in harm’s way. Or even this recent craze with civilians blasting off into space.
And we asked what are all these people doing? What’s this all about? It’s all about the search for truth, for meaning. It’s like the verse we just read, we’re “always searching, but never arriving at the truth.’
But WE have it! We’ve GOT the truth. The search is over. It’s here, right our hands, it’s God’s word. God’s word is the source of truth.
Second reason that we should study the Bible? Because it’s the source of happiness. Luke 11:28 says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” The Greek word translated ‘blessed’ means ‘happy.’ Happy are those who hear the word of God and keep it.
We read it again in David’s Psalm, Psalm 1:1-2 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers,” BUT, and here it is, “his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” David was talking about Old Testament law and he calls it his delight.
And Revelation too, remember this. Revelation freaks everybody out. We usually do our best to stay away from it. But read Revelation 1:3. It says, “Blessed is the one [Happy is the one] who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”
God’s word is a source of happiness—all of it. Not just the gospels, but the Old Testament too, even Revelation. Blessed is the one who hears it, blessed in the one who meditates on it.
Third reason we should study the Bible: Because it’s a source of victory over Satan. Matthew 4:1-11 records the temptations of Jesus. It’s the classic text showing us how we can gain victory over Satan. Satan tempted Jesus with food, he tempted him with power, he tried to get him to test God. And each time Jesus answered with Scripture. He’d say “It is written, it is written,” and then he’d quote from the Old Testament. God’s Word shut Satan down every time, and it gave Jesus the victory, and it can do the same for us.
The fourth reason why we should study the Bible is victory over demons. Remember Luke 4:33-36: Jesus had just started his ministry and he exorcised a demon in front of the crown, and it says “And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
What is this word? They wanted to know. It’s God’s word. Demons didn’t stand a chance when Jesus spoke.
So, victory over Satan, victory of demons, then number 5, victory over temptation. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13-17 to put on God’s armor.
So the armor of God, we’ve got a whole suit of armor, a belt, a breastplate, shoes, and a shield—all protective gear. And we’ve got a sword as our weapon—it’s the word of God. And we said it’s not a long sword, it’s actually a short dagger used for stabbing. The idea is that the word of God pinpoints temptations and stabs them. It’s a quick thrust, straight to the problem. So, wielding the short of the Spirit is knowing your Bible well enough that you have passages and verses for every situation—for every temptation.
So, that’s why we say if you want victory over sin, then you gotta be like David who, in Psalm 119:11, he “stores up God’s word in his heart, that he might not sin against God.”
Next is growth. We study the Bible to grow. And I guess this is the sixth reason we’ll give. Growth. God’s word is our source of growth in the Christian life. 1 Peter 2:2 says that we need nourishment, we’re like little babies. “Newborn infants,” Peter writes, “long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” Babies need milk to grow; Christians need the Bible. And there’s something wrong about adults who still act like children. Paul wants us to grow up; to mature.
The seventh reason we study the Bible is power. The Bible is our source of power.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
So, we said the sword of the spirit is a penetrating dagger. It cuts to the very depths of a person’s being. And that’s because it’s living and active. It’s powerful.
And finally, the last reason, reason number 8 that we should study the Bible. The Bible is a source of guidance. God’s word is our guide.
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Bible directs us in the way that we should go. If you’re looking to line your life with God’s will, it’s his word that will get you pointed in the right direction.
So, eight reasons why you should study the Bible: Truth, Happiness, Victory over Satan, Victory over demons, Victory over temptation, Growth, Power, and Guidance.
Alright. Let’s get into lesson 6, “Who Can Study the Bible.” So, kind of a strange question, but before we try to answer it, let me first kinda give another appeal . . .
And I know you are here, you’ve already expressed your understanding of the importance of knowing your Bibles. But it’s just so important that I reiterate that importance, the importance of Bible knowledge. I mean really knowing God through his word. That’s what’s gonna grow our churches; that’s what’s gonna change our country. And we know our country needs real change.
The lack of knowledge in our land today, is very much like that of Israel in the days of Hosea:
Hosea, the prophet, understood the importance of knowing God’s word, and he made a similar appeal to Israel. Let’s read Hosea 4:1. It says,
Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel,
for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.
There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,
and no knowledge of God in the land.
That’s quite a charge against Israel, did you hear it, there is “no knowledge of God in the land.” People don’t really know God, they don’t know his word. And this was God’s own people. But without that knowledge of God they fell into all kinds of sin. Remember the last lesson, where we said that God’s word is a source of victory over sin. Well, if there’s no knowledge of God’s word, then you’re gonna yield to temptation. So, no knowledge of God in the land, means a whole lot of wickedness. And that’s exactly what Hosea points out in verse 2, “there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
So, verse 1 says that God has a controversy with Israel, that he’s got a quarrel with them, a grievance. And he’s gonna bring a charge against them. Judgement is coming because of all the wickedness in the land, verse 3,
the land mourns,
and all who dwell in it languish,
and also the beasts of the field
and the birds of the heavens,
and even the fish of the sea are taken away.
Without the knowledge of God, there’s a real depression about the land, the people begin to languish, the animals start to die off. And then God reminds us why in verse 6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
When people reject God’s words; when people stop studying the Bible, when biblical knowledge fades, then both the people and the land also see a steady decline. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. And I’m no alarmist here, but can’t you see this depression, it’s all around us? The lack of knowledge of God and this cultural decline?
It makes me think of what Paul said to Timothy, “in the last days there will come times of difficulty . . . evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
That cultural decline, that going from bad to worse, it’s the result of a lack of learning. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
So what do we do about it? Well, Paul in Romans tells us, one, not to be conformed to this world, don’t be a part of its steady, cultural decline, but instead renew your minds. Our minds! He says. Fill our minds with the knowledge of God’s word.
That’s my prayer for you, that’s my prayer for our land, that we would know God.
Alright. Let’s get into lesson 6, “Who Can Study the Bible?” Again, I’ll rely heavily on John Macarthur’s book, How To Study the Bible. He lists six requirements to studying the Bible. 1. You must be a believer. 2. You must be diligent. 3. You must be holy. 4. You must have the desire. 5. You must be led by the Spirit. And 6. You must be prayerful.
Now, I know you’re thinking, “hey wait, there’s requirements to studying the Bible.” As if this stuff isn’t difficult enough. I first have to see if I even qualify?
Well, maybe, but what I’m really getting at is that sure anybody CAN study the Bible, but not everybody will be successful at it. Not everybody will get something out of it.
We’re now getting to the part of this course, where I’m about to put you to work. We’re about to get into the real practical stuff, and I want to set you up for success. So I need to know if you’re really ready? Have you done, or are willing to do, whatever it takes to be a student of God’s word?
And I’m talking about the work that we all have to do in our hearts, some heart-work, so that we can be successful, so that we successfully understand and apply the Bible. So, yes, in that sense there are some qualifications, some requirements.
Let me list them again, and then we’ll go through each one of them. Here they are: 1. You must be a believer. 2. You must be diligent. 3. You must be holy. 4. You must have the desire. 5. You must be led by the Spirit. And 6. You must be prayerful.
And of course, let’s remind ourselves again, this is all of grace, we’re powerless to do any of this without God empowering us. Our verse again, Paul said, “I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” God, give us grace to meet these requirements, because we wanna be successful in our study.
Alright. Number one. You must be a believer . . . Now, are you saying you have to be a Christian to understand and apply the Bible? Well, yes, you do. 1 Corinthians 2:10 says, “these things [God’s words] God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” The depths of God, God’s words, are revealed to believers—to us, not them. Let’s keep reading, “no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”
So, the Spirit is what enlightens our hearts. “And we impart this” knowledge, Paul says, “in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”
So it’s only spiritual people (people who have the Spirit) who can understand these spiritual things. Jump down to verse 14: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”
The natural person, the unbeliever, the non-Christian won’t be successful in understanding and applying the Bible.
Now, I would never discourage anyone from reading the Bible, or even studying it, but until they repent of their sins and come to Christ in faith, and receive the Holy Spirit, much of what they read and study will be folly to them, just like the verse said.
So, I’ll ask you class, are you a believer? Are you a Christian? Don’t wait another moment! The time is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Requirement, number two. You must be diligent. Bible study takes a serious commitment. We have a great example of diligence in Bible study in the Bereans. Remember this group of Jews from Paul’s first missionary journey? Paul had faced persecution in Thessalonica, and in Acts 17 we pick up the story. Verses 10-11:
“The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
So, they were diligent. They dug right into the Scriptures. These Jews were genuine Jews, in the Old Testament sense, they were honestly looking for the Messiah. They’d been prepared by God to receive the gospel, and when Paul showed them that Jesus was the Messiah, they were dillegent—”with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. A great example for us. Be diligent.
Requirement three: You must be holy. And then Requirement four. You must have the desire. I put these two back to back because both of my verses come from the same passage. Let’s read 1 Peter 2:1-2. It says:
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”
So, holiness is a requirement for understanding and applying the Bible. Not that we’ll attain some super high level of holiness before we study Scripture, BUT that we are actively putting those things away. Eliminating them from our lives. We empty ourselves of things like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. And then we fill up on spiritual milk.
And then you can see how desire becomes a requirement. So, requirement four. You must have the desire. With empty stomachs, so to speak, we then get hungry. We long for pure spiritual milk. Another translation says that we crave it. And that satisfaction we get from a full stomach only creates more desire. David, for example, couldn’t contain himself. “Oh how I love your law!” he’d write in Psalm 119:97, “It is my meditation all the day.”
Ok. just a couple more, and I’ll make these quick:
We Christians have the Holy Spirit in us, and we already saw that without the Spirit, we won’t be able to discern spiritual things. And that’s because the Spirit ‘guides us into all truth.’ Let’s read John 16:13.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
The Holy Spirit is a comforter, but he’s also a counselor—he’s a guide. He guides us to Jesus, he always points us back to God’s words. So we must be open to the Spirit’s guidance. And that means that in your understanding and applying the Bible, if you come up with some interpretation that seems to conflict with God’s words, then you must let the Spirit lead you back to the Bible, for the better interpretation. And we’re gonna talk more about interpreting the Bible in the next lesson.
Last requirement. You must be prayerful. And I kinda regret that I’ve not emphasized this enough from the beginning of our class. Our studying of the Bible must be born out of prayer. Paul understood this. He writes in Ephesians 1:16 and 18, he says “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” that verse 18, “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
So those riches, that feast we’ve talked about, Paul wants us to have the ‘eyes of their hearts enlightened.’ Cover yourselves in prayer as you study the Bible. Pray that God would enlighten the eyes of your heart, so that you can take hold of those riches—our glorious inheritance.
So, we gotta be prayerful. I’m praying for yall. Yall pray for me. Let’s pray for each other as we study God’s word.
Alright. There they were, the six qualifications or requirements: You must be a believer. You must be diligent. You must be holy. You must have the desire. You must be led by the Spirit. And you must be prayerful.
And again, this is not to say that those who don’t meet those requirements can’t read the Bible or even study it, but that they probably won’t be very successful. I want to set y'all up for success, so working hard, with God’s grace working in us, lets be about these things.
And I never want to assume, regarding that first one, that everyone listening to these lessons is a believer, is a Christian. And of course the invitation is there. God wants to speak to you, personally. He made a way through his son, Jesus, the sacrifice for our sins. Will you believe upon his name, will you call him Lord and Savior?
Alright. Time’s up. Thanks for listening to this lesson. Hope you’ll continue on to the next one, as we continue to learn ABOUT God, AND how to live for him.
SOURCES:
Frame, John. The Doctrine of the Word of God. P&R, 2010.
MacArthur, John. How to Study the Bible. Moody, 2009.