THE NECESSITY OF UNDERSTANDING GOD'S WORD

It is so important that believers are taught properly God's Word.  Whenever believers are improperly taught God's Word that it will in fact impact their lives spiritually.  For example whenever there is a distortion of the truth of God's Word so as to "redefine" biblical meaning of biblical terminology in accordance to one's own cultural understanding that it does unjustly to the message of the Bible. To clarify and reinforce what was just mentioned in the previous statement is that biblical words have meaning (e.g the "anointing"), but to systematically distort such meaning as to say the "anointing" is only for a select "few" whom God have given "specific," or "special" revelation is a mishap so as to interpret its biblical meaning. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is solely for believers; not a select "few" so as to discern truth from error (1 Jn. 4:6).  Every believer are anointed by God (1 Cor. 1:20).  As believers we have an "unction" from the Holy One and we know all things pertaining to the truth of God's Word. 

Those who are a select "few" who claim such an "anointing" in its capacity to unravel the mysteries of God's Word so as to read "beyond" the mere pages of scripture are not the "truly" anointed ones as they will have the Church to believe.  Such so-called "anointed" teachers of the "Word" possess such "fleshly," or earthly knowledge that has nothing to do with the content of biblical truth (Col. 2:18, 19).  Many who claim such "anointed" churches and ministries believe that to have a "relationship" with God is for God to "speak" to them personally; not through personal faith in Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:36).  Salvation is vertical; not horizontal. Salvation is objective; not subjective.  The "subjective" knowledge of pseudo-spiritualist, or Gnostics within many Bible-based sect groups and cults is that of "gnosis," or "gnostiko." (1 Tim. 6:20)  The "knowledge" of mystics, or theological mysticism within the professing church today what is secretive, esoteric, and spiritual awe."  The "way" by which false teachers receive such "knowledge" is through that of a person's [human] spirit; not through what is cognitive biblical truth.  The illogical line of mystics in the church today, "The letter kills, but the spirit gives life as if they have a "corner" on the truth as the exclusion of the whole Church.  

False spiritual leaders will accuse the Church of possessing such "fleshly," or "head" knowledge so as to not possess such "true" knowledge.  The tables have to be turned on the heads of mystics within the professing church today:  the Church possess such "true" knowledge as opposed to mystics who possess such "fleshly" knowledge of theological mysticism (See, Colossians 1:9, 10 in contrast Colossians 2:8, 18, 19).

Their are four principles by which people can understand God's Word:  that of (1) a person must be born again, or born of the Spirit (Jn. 3:3-6). (2) Prayerfully by reading God's Word so as to the Holy Spirit giving believers such spiritual understanding (1 Cor. 2:13). (3) Prayerfully by studying God's Word in accurately interpreting scripture (2 Tim. 2:15). And, (4) to attend a local church that can help believers to grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).

Principle #1: A Person Must be Born Again (Jn. 3:3-6)

Jesus says, "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (v. 3).  For a person to be "born again," or born of the Spirit is to be saved.  The Holy Spirit renew that of the believers heart whose life have been changed.  In so many words the Holy Spirit brings about a regeneration, or change within the heart of a believer who have come to receive the gift of salvation (Titus. 3:5).  Salvation is in the Person of Jesus Christ; not by the unforeseen "faith" of a person who can come willingly on their own.  Salvation is by God's Sovereign will as to save those whom He have call and predestined (Jn. 6:37, 39; 10:28, 29).  The Father calls, Jesus Christ saves, and the Holy Spirit regenerates.  Once a person come to know the Person of Jesus Christ they are whom God have call unto His election of grace, whereby they will receive the truth of God's Word (Jn. 10:3, 4, 18:37).

The problem with many professing Christians is an attempt to understand God's Word without being "born" of the Spirit, or to be saved.  It is impossible for the unsaved to receive and comprehend the truth of God's Word.  Professing believers are spiritually blinded by Satan, yet they are oppose to God's Word because they live in disobedience (2 Cor. 4:1-4).

The prerequisite of knowing and understanding God's Word is for a person to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as to receive the gift of salvation (Jn. 3:36; Rom. 6:23).

Principle #2: Prayerfully Reading God's Word (Psa. 1:1-2; Jn. 14:26)

As believers we must always be prayerful in reading God's Word.  There are so many believers who will read scripture first, without prayerfully reading God's Word for spiritual understanding.  We must pray that the Holy Spirit will grant unto us as we read God's Word in having such spiritual understanding.  The Holy Spirit gives illumination; not revelation (1 Cor. 2:13 in contrast 2 Pet. 1:20).  

To read God's Word is to "meditate" upon scripture (Psa. 1:1-2).  The Holy Spirit bring to the believer's remembrance that which is read throughout God's Word.  To "meditate" upon God's Word is not to seek some newer truth, or "fresh" revelation, but for the Holy Spirit to bring to our remembrance the truth of scripture (Jn. 14:26).  The problem with many professing Christians is for God to "speak" within their own [human] spirit so as to seek such an understanding of God's Word, thus, such "meditation" is of such New Age techniques; not the Christian worldview of "meditating" upon God's Word.  Mysticism, pragmatism, and relativism have in fact infiltrate the church today whereby they have suspended their reasoning capacity in comprehending the truth of scripture.  Reason is not an enemy of Faith; they are bedfellows.  The Holy Spirit illumines such reasoning in order that the Church can understand God's special revelation (Heb. 1:1-2a).

Therefore, the believer must always be prayerful through seeking to understand God's Word.  It is not optional, but it is mandatory for the life of the believer.  

Principle #3: Prayerfully Studying God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15)

It is also important that believers are prayerful in studying God's Word.  Our goal is to accurately handle God's Word of truth so as to understand the plain meaning of the context of the Bible.  The most fundamentals of biblical interpretation is to compare scripture with scripture (1 Cor. 2:13).  I am quite thrill to know that if there is a difficult passage of scripture that I do not understand clearly is to compare other scripture within its proper context so as to shed light upon such passage under study.  The problem with many professing Christians is that they will take a passage/s of scripture under study without looking the surrounding context.  In order to proper understand scripture is to read both previous and preceding verses so as to properly understand the Bible.

Many professed believers have the tendency to jump from one rabbit hole into another when it comes to interpreting God's Word.  Such professing believers will take a verse under study  and come up with a bundle of verses that have no relations with each other whatsoever.  In order to understand a biblical passage/s of scripture it has to fit together so as to its corresponding nature.  Many cults and Bible-based sect groups (e.g. Church of God in Christ) will take a verse (Acts 2:4) in the middle of a chapter along with other passage/s of scripture (Acts 1:8, 2:1, 2; 19:1) that has no relations at all whatsoever so as to build its case as to the necessity of the believers "speaking in tongues" as part of their salvation experience.  Speaking in tongues is not a part of the believer being saved, thus, it deny the true purpose of Christ's dying on the cross (Jn. 3:16, 17).  The "sect" of the Church of God in Christ teach a "second" work of grace, or "second blessing" as part of the believer's salvation experience. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; not through the "experience" of speaking in tongues.  Many Bible-based sects like the Church of God in Christ is a works movement; not a grace movement (Acts 15:1-2ff; Gal. 1:8-9; 3:1).

Many cults and Bible-based sects are skilled at pulling scripture out of its original meaning, thus, have in fact distorted many of Bible verses to fit within their own cultural context, or "cultic" system of beliefs (See, 2 Pet. 3:16, 17).  

In order to be skilled in studying God's Word is most fundamentally of all is to compare scripture with scripture.  In so many words in order to understand the whole of scripture within its many parts is for scripture to interpret scripture even those parts of scripture that is difficult to understand.  That is what is called, "Basic Bible Interpretation."

In order to master the skill of God's Word is to know the basics so as to be efficient in our understanding of scripture in order to seek its true biblical application.  Interpretation first; than application.  It is not the other way around.  Everything in scripture does not apply to the Church today (e.g. Deut. 28, "the blessing and cursing").

Principle #4:  Attend a Local Church

What is the "litmus" test by which people can know whether such local church is a bona-fide church, or cult?  There are people who are quite to dismiss their local church as one of such questionable and controversial nature.  They will point out the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormonism is a cult, but they will dare to say that they are a part of a "toxic" faith, or church.  So, what is the "litmus" test by which to discern whether a local church, or ministries is a bona-fide church, cult, or Bible-based sect?"  Their are several key point issues or doctrine that need to be address.

#1. What do they believe about the Bible?

The Bible must be the church source of authority!  There are many Bible-based sects that would "appear" that they are in agreement with what the Bible teach, but to listen closely and attentively they espouse some "newer" revelations so to shed light upon the Bible (2 Pet. 1:20).  The Bible is to shed light upon erroneous teaching of such "newer," or fresh revelations that are contrary to the truth of God's Word.  We must test everything based upon God's Word (Acts 17:11 with 1 Jn. 4:1).  There are many "cultic" churches and leaders whose source of authority is in what God have reveal to them in their [human] spirit as to receive such "specific," or "special" revelation.  Scripture is complete; there is no need for any further revelation.  For a person, or anyone who will add to the truth of God's Word is to incur God's divine judgment (2 Pet. 2:1; Rev. 22:18-19).  The "special" revelation of the Bible is God's message to the church, thus God's final revelation is through the Person of God's Son (Heb. 1:1-2a).

#2. God

The Christian worldview is that of monotheism!  There is only one God who has revealed Himself in "three" Person: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  They are co-equal and co-eternal (Rom. 1:20).  The members of the Godhead, or Tri-unity of God possess such divine attributes (e.g. "eternity") (See, Ge. 1:28).  The Father is eternal; the Son is eternal; the Holy Spirit is eternal.  Therefore, especially Jesus Christ is eternally Pre-existent (Jn. 8:58).  The eternal Son of God was not created, but is the Creator of the universe along with other members of the Godhead (Col. 1:15-17).  The Arian heresy taught that Jesus is the First-born of every creature.  The cult of Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, and the Word-Faith movement teaches that Jesus was created.

#3. Jesus Christ

There are many cults and Bible-sect groups will deny that Jesus Christ is fully God-Man (1 Jn. 4:1, 3).  The beliefs of many cult groups is that Jesus is a Spiritual Avatar that dispenses knowledge to His followers, but that many Charismatics and Pentecostals believe that Jesus Who is a Man had to be "anointed" to perform such miracles.  Thus, both groups deny the God-Man Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ who provided salvation for the sins of the elect is dying both God-Man.  Jesus Christ death on the cross provides such divine forgiveness and cleansing of our sins (Jn. 3:16, 17).

#4. Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a divine Person; not a "force" that is taught by many cults today.  Within many Charismatics and Pentecostal circles is there "overemphasis" upon the work of the Holy Spirit, thus deny the Person of Jesus Christ.  There is a defective view and misunderstanding of many Bible-based sect groups today. Experiential theology, pragmatism, and relativism is the characteristics of many Charismatics and Pentecostal movements today.  The Holy Spirit witness Christ; Jesus Christ witness that of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26).

#5. Fall of Man

Self-esteem theology hold sway within the church today.  According to the false doctrine of self-esteem theology that humanity must think "positively" about himself; not to become sin-conscious.  Also, therefore Arminianism deny that a person is totally depraved, thus they are able to respond to Christ by there own free will.  Therefore there are many cults and Bible-based sects that deny the Fall of Man as to live a life "free" from sin: that of holiness and asceticism.  The Bible clearly teaches that Adam sin and disobedience brought about the ruins of the human race; therefore there was a need for remedy in order to reconcile sinners back unto God (Rom. 5:18-24).

#6. Sin

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).  The penalty of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).  Theological liberalism have a weak view of sin.  Sin is view as a defect; not man's disobedience to God (Rom. 5:12).  Man who is made in the image and likeness of God because of sin marred the image of God in Man.  Perverted mind-set, distorted feelings, and sinful behavior is a direct result of Adam's sin and disobedience (Ge. 3:1-7 with Rom. 5:12).

#7. Salvation

Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8).  For works to be added unto the cross of Christ is to preach a "different" gospel (Gal. 1:8-9).  Experience, speaking in tongues, and baptism have in fact been added unto the cross of Christ therefore mandatory for the believer's salvation to be complete.  Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, and Christ alone without any human merits or works (vss. 8-9).  For human works to be apart of the cross of Christ is to deny Christ's redemptive work on the cross.  Christ's death on the cross secures the believer's salvation, thus the believer also have the assurance of their salvation (Jn. 10:28, 29; 2 Cor. 5:17). 

Rev. Darryl L. Miller, is founder & Lead pastor of Contending for the Faith Church of Decatur, Georgia.  He is also the president and Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents.  As a pastor, apologist, evangelist, senior researcher, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world.  Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

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