The Author of Non-confusion

(John 14:26 KJV)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

I am re-reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.  In Book 3, Chapter 3, “Social Morality” you find these words:

When it [the Bible] tells you to read the Scriptures it does not give you lessons in Hebrew and Greek, or even in English grammar.

In light of my comments on the different translations of Proverbs 10:3 I thought some clarification might be in order.  Reading and studying the Bible is something that can be done on all levels.  Anyone can do it.  You do not need a seminary education to read truth.  In fact, some times that can get in your way.  The world is full of “Doctors” and “Professors” and “Reverends” that are so impressed with their own wisdom that they cannot see simple truth. 

If you are not well educated you should not assume your feeling of inadequacy keep will you from eternal truth any more than the ego of the educated must block them from simple truth.  We all have the written word but it is the Holy Spirit that opens it up to you.  If you will not listen to the Holy Spirit you will never know the truth and it will never make you free.  If you will listen then the riches of God are open to you.

It works like this, in my opinion.  (But keep in mind I have been to seminary, so my opinion is questionable.)  You read part of the Bible.  The Holy Spirit tries to apply that to your life.  Because you have different needs every day, you may get a different lesson every day.  It may be a lesson just for you.  The lesson will not go against the totality of scripture.  If you think God is calling you to go shoot your neighbor, trust me, it is not from God.  But the application may make sense to no one else.

When we have problems with translation we can continue to trust the Holy Spirit.  You still should find the best translation available but I am convinced that you could be reading the New World Translation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and if you are listening to the Holy Spirit you can find truth and recognize error.  Thus we may see some J.W.s in heaven but it won’t be because they are good Witnesses.  It will be because the Holy Spirit taught them in spite of all the indoctrination that went on.

So, relax, learn and grow.