How to Get More Out of Bible Study
The Bible is God's holy word, but it is possible to read it without getting anything out of it. There is a reason for this. The Bible is written for the heart. Unless our heart is right, we will not get much, if anything, from reading God's word. Let us see now what kind of heart we must have to get truths and blessings from the Bible.
*** We must Have a Regenerated Heart ***
This means that we must be born again. An unsaved person cannot understand God's word. The Bible says, " The natural man (the unsaved man) receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14
*** We must have a Reverent Heart ***
The Apostle Paul commended the Christians in Thessalonica because they respected God's word. Paul wrote, " For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because , when you received the Word of God, which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, THE WORD OF GOD, which effectually works also in you that believe." 1 Thessalonians 2: 13
***We must Have an Obedient Heart ***
God does not teach His truths to those who are unwilling to obey Him. Only those who are willing to obey God will understand the great truths of the Bible. Jesus said, " If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.."
***We must have a Teachable Heart ***
God speaks to us through His word. Whether or not we learn and grow depends on our response to His Word. When God tries to show us something in our life that displease Him, we may respond by saying, " You can't mean men! I'm not like that!" This closes the door to further help from God.
On the other hand, we can respond by honeslty confessing our failures and humbly accepting God's correction. This enables God to teach us and to change us. The Bible says, " The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His ways." Psalm 25:9
*** We must have a Humble Heart ***
The Bible says that God hides His truths from those who are wise and proud in their own eyes. If we want to learn from God, we must come as a little child would come to his Father.
Jesus said, " I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. " Matthew 11:25
*** We must have a Heart that Loves God's Word ***
The great men of God in the Bible loved God's Word. David said, " O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. " Psalm 119:97
The more we love God's Word, the more we will understand it. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, " Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of Hosts. "
Note: This article taken from the book entitled : " The New Life in Christ"
