THE HEART THAT UNDERSTANDS HIS WORD

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If everyone has access to the Bible and can read it, why doesn’t everyone benefit from it? Why doesn’t everyone understand it? Because not all people have the right heart for the Word. In his book How to Understand Your Bible, T. Norton Sterrett lists five qualities needed to understand the Bible.

NEW HEART

The interpreter must be born again and have a relationship with God. Only God’s children are guided by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14), and the Bible can only be understood spiritually—which is through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:14).

HUNGRY HEART

Understanding the Word cannot be gained from reading alone. Those who desire to understand the Bible must crave to learn from it. “Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation” (1 Ptr 2:2).

OBEDIENT HEART

“A disobedient heart means a closed understanding. An obedient heart finds the meaning of the Scripture opened” (Sterrett, 1974). We study the Bible so we can live it out. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17).

DISCIPLINED HEART

Sometimes studying the Bible is exciting and interesting, but often it is not. A believer with a disciplined heart does not stop seeking to understand God’s Word, no matter what. Studying His Word is seeking wisdom. Seeking wisdom is not always easy. “If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Prov 2:4-5).

TEACHABLE HEART

A heart that desires to learn will always study and be willing to be taught. Being teachable requires humility, because no one gets everything right all the time! Learning about God is a challenging journey; if you think you always know best, you will not progress. “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning” (Prov 9:9).

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If we study God’s Word with the right attitude, we place ourselves in the proper position for God to teach us. Don’t worry, we are not alone on this journey. The Holy Spirit is with us to guide us into all truth (Jn 16:13). Stay Curious.

Source and Study:

Sterrett, T. N. (1974). Who Can Understand the Bible? In How to Understand your Bible (pp. 19–22). InterVarsity Press.


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