Understanding God’s Word is Knowledge - Applying God’s Word is Wisdom

Studying the Bible can seem overwhelming especially if you don’t know how or where to start.

Couple of thoughts on that:

Read The Bible

   If you want to study the Bible, you have to actually read the Bible. Seems like common sense, but unfortunately, many rely on sermons, devotions, Biblical based blogs, articles, or commentaries instead of the actual source, the Bible.

   Just reading the Bible will put into your mind God’s Word, that’s a good thing. That information will be the foundation for all other references and resources. Reading the Bible will help you discern what is actually in the Bible vs what has been potentially taken out of context or completely misquoted in those other resources.

For Example:

Frequently misquoted verse: Money is the root of all evil.

Actual verse: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:10

   And for the record misquoting or taking out of context God's Word is nothing new. From the beginning, all the way back in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, Satan misquoted what God told Eve. He did it again when he tried to temp Jesus into following him.

   He [Satan] said to the woman [Eve], “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” - Genesis 3:1

  And he [Satan] said to him [Jesus], “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” - Matthew 4: 9,10 

Seek to Understand the Bible

   This is where those other resources (commentaries, blogs, etc.) become helpful. But let me first point out…

   The natural person [non-believer] 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. - 1 Corinthians 2:14

   Knowledge converts information into understanding. Our solar system has a sun and planets which is general information. Knowing that the planets rotate on its own axis while orbiting around the sun and how long each process takes provides an understanding about how day & night and seasons work. 

   When it comes to understanding the Bible, there’s no limit to the depth of knowledge you can obtain. The context and tense of ever word and phrase provides a deeper understanding of what the writer was teaching. The more knowledge you obtain, the greater the understanding you will develop.

   Word of Caution. Not all sermons, commentaries, blogs, articles are created equal. Unfortunately, there are some who start with a perspective and seek Scripture to support it, which can lead to taking something out of context. Regardless of the resources you use, always validate the information with the Bible. Don’t just assume the provided Scripture is complete and is in the right context.

Apply the Biblical Lessons

   Reading the Bible provides you with information. Seeking more knowledge about the information in the Bible develops understanding. However, if you want to gain Wisdom, there is only one way to do that. Wisdom is defined as the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments.

   You can study, learn, and see pictures about everything that is known about the Grand Canyon. But, if you never stand on the edge of the rim, you will never fully experience just how vast and magnificent it really is. It should also be noted that your experience at the South Rim and that of the North Rim can be quite different depending on what you do and experience at each location.

   The same is true of the Bible. Scripture tells us that the words of God, which are recorded in the Bible, are to be used (experienced), not only to draw us closer to him but also to provide a roadmap for how to live our lives.

   All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3: 16,17

   If you never apply the Scriptures to your life, you will never fully experience just how magnificent living for God can really be and you will, therefore, be lacking in true spiritual Wisdom