03.03. Part One - The Basis for a Clear Understanding of God's Word

Part One The Basis for a Clear Understanding of God’s Word In order to fully understand the Word of God (the Bible), there are certain requirements that you must yield to. The Bible is a spiritual book, and it must be spiritually discerned. "Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually examined’’ (1 Corinthians 2:14).

• The spiritual requirements for a clear understanding of the Word of God are as follows:

  • One must love God: Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27; Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:25-35; 1 John 2:7-11, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 John 4:20.

  • One must have the will to do God’s will: John 7:17; Psalms 40:6-8; Acts 13:22; Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29-31; Colossians 1:9-11; Ephesians 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; John 14:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

  • One must be willing to lay aside human theories and practices of men which are contrary to the will of God: Matthew 23:15, Matthew 23:29-36; Isaiah 66:1-5; Ezekiel 14:4-5; Acts 17:10-11; Galatians 6:12; Ephesians 4:17; Isaiah 29:13-16.

  • One must pray to the Lord, ’’Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalms 119:18). Proverbs 2:3, Psalms 119:160, Daniel 4:37.

• The intellectual requirements are as follows:

  • One must study the Word in order to get its messages. 2 Timothy 2:15.

  • One must discipline one’s mind to memorize the Word. Psalms 119:11; Psalms 37:31, Psalms 40:8.

  • One must worship the Lord with all one’s heart. Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 9:15, Psalms 111:10; Job 28:28.