“And [H]is disciples asked [H]im, saying, What might this parable be?”  (Luke 8)

 

Reader, How can one (1) remedy a problem with understanding Scripture?  This happens to all of us, even preachers and pastors…probably more often that it does to anyone else.  Why does this happen to a minister more than anyone else? This happens to ministers because it is the minister that is in the word MORE than anyone else.  It is the ministers calling to wrestler with the Scriptures.  The minister that has all the answers is a mnister to be weary of.  Beware of the minister with all the answers and offers quick patented answers that he was told in Bible college decades ago.

The Books of the prophets, the Book of Revelation and some of Christ’s parable need to be thought over and meditated over. There are times our Lord would do something and say something and one (1) is left to wonder, why.  If one (1) goes to a commentary or a number of commentaries, there may be a number of thoughts and ideas offered but nothing concrete.  Reader, do you really want a God that is easy to figure out?  You do not.

So what do we do when we are at a loss?  Below in bullet point form we will give some suggestions and then look at these suggestions:
*Give up, put the Bible down and think about something else…it’s too difficult for you.
*Ask The Spirit and give Him time to respond.
* Get out study aids such as a concordance, a Bible dictionary, The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, and then after having done these things and giving the Spirit time to respond, look into a trusted commentary. Some commentaries are Matthew Henry, Calvin, Spurgeon and other trusted classic Christ-ian leaders.  Jonathan Edwards “Blank Bible” is a forgotten source.
*One (1) could obtain an entire book on the subject that one (1) is working through.
*Ask a pastor of other exercised and veteran believers.

*Giving up. i think you know this is not a worthy obtion or an acceptable practice.  Arthur PInk said, “The Bible is not for the lazy man.”  There are far too many helps and aids to just give up and go about other business. What does that say about someone that just gives up on the mysteries of God.  The prophets were given visions and Words from God and they understood not but spoke them anyway…they never did receive all of the answers but they never stopped trying to figure them out.

*In Isaiah 11, The Spirit is called the Spirit of Knowledge and Understanding and Wisdom among other titles.  It is the Spirit’s office to grant us knowledge, understanding and wisdom. It is a practice of this writer to call upon the Spirit of Knowledge to grant me knowledge on differing matters in Scripture and non-Scriptural things I forget like names, words, and lost memories.
It is the office of the Spirit to grant us understanding on all things necessary for us to understand and to grant us wisdom in pressing matters.  Reader, call upon the Spirit of Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom.
The answer may not come right away, it may come a week later while you are driving and not even dwelling upon Scripture or that thought. Other times it may come right away. I have found both to be true, but normally He answers me quick and fast.

*Use study aids: The concordance will provide you with each and every place a word is used in Scripture.  The Young’s Analytical will give you the word’s original Hebrew or Greek word used by the writer.  This will often clarify much. The student of Scripture that desires to gain understanding of a verse could and should look up the meaning of each word used by the writer.  For example, the word resist in James 4:7 is used twice but the word resist is used two (2) differnt ways and is translated from two (2) differnt greek words. One (1) is to resist or oppose, the second (2nd) is to “set in array against.”  In other words, the first (1st) is simply to resist or oppose or go against as in saying, “no” or even leaving a situation, or rebuking an outside influence. The second (2nd) is to set in a rray against as in go to war, set up an active offence against.
The word for “judgement seat” of Christ is “foot print!!!”  What does that mean? God will judge us according to our like-ness to Christ, our foot print will be measured against His, so to speak. God will judge us according to how we followed Christ’s lead.
“The Teasury of Scripture Knowledge” will guide you throughout Scripture where a phrase or word is used else where in Scripture so that you can compare. Invaluable.
A good Bible dictionary or encyclopedia will give you much detailed information.
A good commentary set will give you a college education, so to speak as will a good study Bible, but beware of Study Bibles as they can and will lead you in a wrong direction. Always remember our Lord’s warning, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.  A little unsound doctrine mixed in with sound doctrine can cause tremendous spiritual harm.  Arminianism has much good and sound doctrine, but they go wrong with the most fundamental and foundationa truths concerning God and everything concerning God is off kiltar from that point on.

*One (1) can obtain entire books or works on Biblical topics.  Again, care needs to be taken when procuring books.  The author must be considered and vetted before handing ones (1’s) mind to him. I wowuld forewarn you to saty far away from charismatic writers.  I would warn you to stay away from Arminian writers on doctrines of grace such as election, justification, sanctification, etc.  Arminians can be good on the Christ-ian life in many cases.
It has been my long held view to keep away from most living authors.  The dead Christ-ians are far better and deeper than most of the current and living authors. The living authors are simply regurgitating what the older writers said.  This is not true in every situaton of course. I could recommend aithors like John Macarthur, Steve Lawson, the recently passed R.C. Sproul and those in the reformed way of thinking.  Dead authors like: Arthur Pink, Charles Spurgeon, The Reformers, The Puritans, C.S Lewis, Billy Graham, Augustine, James Stalker.

*Asking a pastor or well exercised saint is a good practice, but do not take their word as Gospel. Hear what they have to say, Ask the Spirit if it is sound…He’ll probably give you a sense to whether the answer given is sound or not…He’ll speak in you instinct or “gut.”  Once you have His answer, compare it with the above points listed.

Reader, I have offered my counsel often.  Please message me, write me, call me, find me and seek my aid.  We will give you whatever aid we can. If we do not have the answer, we will (DV) find it with you.  No question or inquirey is silly or stupid. It is my calling to be used of you.  Your questions can be on theological matters, personal matters…we are discreet, matters on “what do you think I should do about…”  Reader, we have seen much and heard much…you will not surprsie us or be judged by us.  There is no sin or difficulty that is not common among believers.

If anyone would like to sit down and have a Bible study or discuss Biblical topics or any other topics that pose difficulty…we are available and ready to serve.