(Pro 21:2 KJV) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Modern Bible studies are often just pooling of ignorance and narcissism. I hate it when someone asks, “What does this say to you?” It is possible that the question is honest and the answer will be honest. The problem is that most of us are so locked into ourselves that we refuse to look at what it says. Instead we warp it to fit into our present mood.
The first question should be, “What does this say?” It is okay to paraphrase. It is okay to consult the watered down “translations” which are themselves paraphrases. Don’t consult commentaries. Just, what does it say? Then you can go on to what it is that God is trying to say to you today. There are current conditions which might help you understand and apply but they can’t be allowed to turn the meaning into a treasure hunt.
So? One of the reasons that the Bible can grate on us is that God knows our hearts and knows what rough edges need to be sanded, or blow-torched, off.
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Stupid Questions
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2 comments:
I agree with not warping scripture to fit our beliefs. However, being a living Word, those same scriptures can literally mean different things to different people and even to ourselves at different points in our lives according to what the Lord knows we need to hear (good or bad) at the time.
I accept that. I have had verses come alive that I could not remember reading before. The key though is that none of our "understandings" or "interpretations" will be out of sync with the rest of scripture. I like that meme poster that shows up expressed in many ways, "Honey, if he's already married, God didn't bring him to you."
Grace and peace
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