Want it – to know it… God’s message to us – OMG

Interpreting God’s Bible Message
In these days full of deception, God’s bright message of light for us is good news. But it can be difused, diminished and darkened by misinformation, false teachers, and by our deceitful hearts.

Deafened, Blinded, Muted
We are in the End Time days, when so many people (even the “educated”) know so little about the Bible, and false teachers totally misinterpret the Bible for their own benefit. It is so important for “Berean-type Christians” to closely examine what Scripture actually is saying.

Are you hearing Truth, seeing Truth, and speaking Truth?

With eternity at stake, why do so many not inquire more deeply and seek to know the truth about God?
– Source: Ask the questions where you’ll get the truth

After all – we want to follow God, not follow-after some puny humans, right? That is what “being Christian” is all about: following Jesus.

Or have you made “Christian” something that does not match-up to the Bible? Are you secretly ashamed of yourself before God?

I’ll follow the sure ways of Eternal God. And I’ll make sure what I follow is true. And I want to follow the entire counsel of God’s Word, not deviantly, conveniently, leave-out passages that I don’t want to follow, like some religious folk tend to do.”
– Source: Getting down to God’s meaning

Discernment when interpreting is vital
There are several simple but effective guidelines to be discerning when reading the Bible. God has given us everything we need to know to truly know Him and follow Him. But… You’ve got to want it, to know it.

I want to know God’s message. Are you carefully examining Scripture, or …giving it little thought?

To know – you’ve got to want it

Also, we’ve got to be on our toes when listening to a preacher or teacher — to make sure they teach it correctly, staying true to God’s meaning – not leading us down deviant rabbit holes of their thinking.

Guidelines to use when reading the Bible
Stay true to God’s meaning:

1. Avoid man’s fallible thoughts (yours?) and church traditions
Our thoughts are fallible. Never start interpreting Scripture with man’s thoughts, nor some particular church tradition. Man is fallible. Churches are fallible. The traditions of mere men are fallible. Catholic traditions? Orthodox? Protestant… whatever? They are fallible. But God’s Word is not fallible. ¹

Start by simply reading the words. What is being said? Take-in the simple words. That’s simple.

2. Interpret Scripture with Scripture.
Start with Scripture, and interpret that Scripture with other Scripture – and you’ll be more sure you are staying on track with God’s meaning. All God’s Words concord with all God’s Word. As they say, eat “…the whole enchilada.”

* Do various other passages say what you think this particular passage is saying? If not, then maybe it doesn’t!

* If other passages contradict what you think your passage says, then what you think it says is actually contrary to Scripture.

If we do not consider the whole counsel of God – we could be off just a bit, and now wandering down a rabbit trail.

3. Consider the whole counsel of God
Avoid “cherry picking” verses here and there – to prove your own thoughts. Be careful when you think you have some “special insight” that others are somehow missing. Avoid twisting the clear message in order to prove your alternative “special insight”. Peter warns:

“…no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, ²¹for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” – 2 Peter 1:20-21

For more, read:
1. What Does It Mean to Preach the Whole Counsel of God?
– by Justin Taylor at The Gospel Coalition

2. What is the whole counsel of God? – from GotQuestions.org

Just as we are warned to not “force” God to speak something directly to us (falsely proclaiming our words as from God), we are warned to not teach our thoughts as if they were from the Bible. To do that is to lie. Are your pants on fire?!

“Liar liar pants on fire.” ²

It is a lie to interpret a verse “our way” (forcing it to say what you want it to say), just as much as it is a lie to say God has spoken to you… when He has not.

For more, read:

They in fact have seen nothing

and

A glossary of new apostolic reformation terminology. This article is by Rick Becker over at his site, Famine In The Land.

Becker’s content is shared here with the intent to further warn the Church about false teachers. “Words” make a difference. And these terms used by NAR teachers are leading people into false teachings.

NAR terms are insidious, with subtle changes to the real truth of the Bible, leading astray little by little, by degrees, cooking the frog before he realizes the boiling going on.

If your church leaders are using these terms, you are in the boiling pot.
– Source: Words used by false teachers

Tempted to Avoid what we do not like to hear
Sometimes we may be tempted to avoid certain teachings in the Bible. Being sinners, all of us, there are too many pleasures and bad behaviors we love to fall for, so the temptation nowadays is to legitimize them.

The world is making the “sins” that easily beset us – into “acceptable behavior”. No sin – no problem, they think. You think?

To get ligit, many avoid specific passages, or out-right re-interpret them to their liking. How foolish! That does not fool God.

making our “sins” – “acceptable behavior”

Verse 27 of this passage, Acts 20:27-32, instructs us to keep on tract with all of God’s ways. If we want God… we must be careful to live-out, teach-out and hold out for “the whole purpose and plan of God“.

²⁷For I did not shrink from declaring to you
the whole purpose and plan of God.
– Acts 20:27

“Draw near to God and
He will draw near to you.”
– James 4:8

live-out, teach-out and hold out
for
“the whole purpose and plan of God“

FOR MORE:

Getting down to God’s meaning

Excerpts: “…no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, ²¹for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” – 2 Peter 1:20-21 Amplified Bible (AMP)
I do say this:

“It’s not a matter of how on earth do I wish God would have said it! Be careful when you start following a message that deviates from historical Christianity, following your “own [personal or special] interpretation” or that of some newly arrived teacher (new in relation to all of history).”

“I must be extremely careful, to the point of “meticulous” in my study, to interpret these words from God without prejudice. I cannot allow myself, or some newly enlightened message, or any other teachings to enter into the interpretation of God’s message. I must keep out of the way — so that His true meaning speaks out for itself.”

“Since I believe these words of the Bible actually come from God, a message from Him to the world, and more specifically— a message for me, for you, then I, sure as Heaven better heed His message. I will gladly do His expressed will, but not so much the will of others.

And I extremely resent religious traditions that religious people try to foist onto others, as if it were of God — when it is totally a thing of man. I don’t want to be following a thing of man!

The message of salvation spoken by Jesus to Paul

God forgives sins by His Holy Holy Justice

Ask the questions where you’ll get the truth

The Apostle Paul’s Criticisms

Evidence. What Evidence?

Are You Seeking God?

Want it

What God Wants

What Jesus wants to see in me

Be a little more Christian

Following

About False Teachings of today… A series