I was involved in a discussion the other day concerning someone’s frustration with a person in their work place who was misinterpreting the Word of God. People do that all of the time. She said that try as she might she could not get that person to understand the truth. As of October 2017 the full Bible has been translated into 670 languages, the New Testament has been translated into 1,521 languages and Bible portions or stories into 1,121 other languages. (Wikipedia, Bible Translations). Amazing isn’t it? But the fact that many people misuse or misunderstand the Bible should not be surprising. If you can read and understand any of those languages, that means that you can read and understand the words in the Bible. But … not the meaning of those words. Instead of being frustrated about someone’s mis-interpretation of the Bible, receive it as confirmation of this truth.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man [includes both men and women in case there is some confusion over the use of the word “man”] of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
No matter how hard you try, you cannot explain the Truth to someone who does not have the Spirit of God in them. You can certainly plant a seed, but they must be born again. The Bible is not for the world – it’s for those who are called the children of God. And no, we are not all God’s children, but we are all God’s creation.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” – Romans 8:14-16
Not every Christian has access to the Bible – in any form or tongue. Not every Christian can read, for that matter. But they can listen. I had to catch myself about making references to the reading the Bible when I would speak in churches and at crusades to people in Haiti because they either couldn’t afford to own a Bible or could not read it if they did. For their sake it is so important that I spoke the Word rightly and let the Spirit of God do the teaching of the spiritual truth.
There has been a big stir in this country about the public display of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). It is not because the people understand what they say and are convicted of their sin that they want them gone. It is because they are a reminder that there is a God in Heaven and it is Him that they reject and want removed.
No amount of arguing or debating will be the means of convincing someone of the Truth of God. Without the Spirit of God, they cannot understand the things of God. And when the Spirit does strive with them, it is the Spirit that they reject – not the one speaking the Truth. I am certain you are familiar with the word “Apologetics”. In general, apologetics is the reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine. With respect to our faith – there are those who believe that debating people of other faiths or beliefs in the public forum is profitable. Perhaps – but we must be careful not to think that we can debate someone into heaven. That is a spiritual transaction between each individual and the Lord. It is by faith that we are saved – not by debate. I am certain that some reading this will disagree on some point, and that is fine. The point for today is that the Word is spiritual at its root. Understanding the Word is totally dependent upon the Spirit of God and not eloquence of speech. It is the Spirit of God that brings conviction of sin. Paul did not trust in himself, his religious training, even his intelligence and nor should we.
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” – 1 Corinthians 2:1-3
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