HOW TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S WORD

The greatest challenge a believer can have is not understanding the word of God.

The word of God (the bible) is the only book that cannot be interpreted by man’s intelligence because of its origin. It derives from God Himself, in actual fact, God’s word cannot be separated from God (John 1:1).

It is who God is, how He does things and information on everything concerning all His creation carefully packaged in His wisdom as a means by which those who believe in His salvation can get to know and walk with Him.

God’s word is covered in secrecy, it is a mystery (Eph 3:3-4, Col 1:25-27) and only revealed to those who submit themselves to Him for the purpose of knowing Him and doing His will (Acts 8:26-40).

This is good news for the believer though, because the fact that you are one is proof that you have submitted yourself to God (to an extent at least) and now are among those to whom God can reveal His word.

God will not reveal His word to anyone who holds Him in contempt. To what end would He do that? Jesus said Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you (Mat 7:6).

These are harsh words but true. God wouldn’t do it. He will not entrust Himself to anyone who will disrespect or disregard Him. He is God!

We must realize that the test of our character after we are saved is what makes God entrust Himself to us more. Our salvation was given us when we demonstrated (showed in our character) that we believed God’s message concerning His Son Jesus.

We must earn more of God’s trust so He’d give more of Himself to us through the revelation of His word and the beginning of this is our sincere desire to know Him more and do His will (1 Pet 2:2).

Sincere (not unscrupulous) desire, because the purpose for which we want to understand God’s word must be God’s purpose, which is to know Him and do His will. 

We express this desire to God by requesting for Him to reveal His word to us for this purpose. Then we follow up by systematically and deliberately studying the bible.

The understanding of God’s word is what causes our faith in God to grow stronger. Faith comes from understanding God’s word (Rom 10:17). The stronger our faith in God, the better we relate to Him on this side of eternity and this is the safe position God wants all believers to be in.

In describing this process in 2 Cor 3:16-17, apostle Paul said whoever turns to Christ will be given an understanding of God’s word by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us at salvation.

The liberty described in this text is liberty to understand God’s word. It is the right and a privilege of the believer to understand God’s word. The world does not have this liberty, it does not have the Spirit of God.

What is available to the believer who does not understand or has little understanding of God’s word? Deception by Satan, with the intent of leading away from God, all aimed at eventual destruction. If you ask me, this is not an option, do not settle for it.

Not settling for it is contingent however on you exercising your right and privilege, leveraging on the liberty the Holy Spirit in you has to offer. Liberty to understand God’s word, which the world does not have.

1 John 2:27, John 14:26 and 16:13-14 all point to this purpose for which God gave you the Holy Spirt (there are others). As a believer you have Him, as  Rom 8:9 says 'Now if any man has not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His'.

The steps to follow are simple, desire to know God with the purpose of doing His will. If you find that the desire is not strong enough, simply ask God in prayer that He should increase the desire in you.

Then express this desire by asking God sincerely and humbly in prayer to give you an understanding of His word by His Spirit (1 John 2:27, John 14:26, 16:13-14 and Eph 1:17, Col 1:9).

Then back this up with a determined and deliberate study of God’s word daily (James 2:26), meditating on (keeping in your thoughts and consciousness) what you learn  through your days as you study (1 Tim 4:15). Keep a journal of these also for reference. It will amaze you what immediate impact it will have on your relationship with God.

Understanding God’s word is not an exclusive preserve of a few believers. Unto us (all) is given to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God (Lk 8:10).

The believer that lives off others’ understanding of God’s word (or little/no understanding at all) will be a baby Christian for life. And how much can babies do for themselves? How vulnerable are babies to danger in a hostile environment?

We must all decide to and actively follow God (personally) as dear children (Eph 5:1). You can understand the word of God and you will, more than you do right now.

Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all (1 Timothy 4:15).

Pastor Gboye Omolayo is the Resident Pastor of Church@Allen (House of Prayer Int'l), Allen TX, USA. He is a prolific writer and preacher who believes the efficacy of the word of God and the potency of the works of the Holy Spirit are still available to the Church today, as they were at the Church’s infancy. He is the publisher of this blog.