“Essential Elements for Understanding the Scriptures–#1”

I’m pleased to welcome Mark Howell to The Christian Practice as our Friday blogger. For the next few weeks, we’ll look at some practical tips and helps for studying our Bibles.
“I’m not a very good Bible student.”

“I have a hard time understanding the Scriptures.”

“I wish I knew how to study the Bible better.”

These are statements that are quite common—even among those who have been Christians for a long time. We all hear the admonitions to “study your Bible,” and I truly believe many, if not most children of God want to learn more of their Father’s will. The problem is, sometimes we don’t possess all the essential elements we need to come to an accurate and thorough understanding of the Scriptures. Over the course of the next few weeks we will be taking a look at some things that may help us in our studies.

Let’s begin by noting one of the most fundamental of all things necessary to understanding the Scriptures. You cannot buy it at any bookstore or at any price. You often hear those leading in prayer ask for it. Yet, it is something only the individual can control. What is it? Well the prayers often go something like this: “May the words spoken today fall on good and honest hearts.” Indeed, any time one approaches the Word of God it should be with a “good and honest heart. Jesus told the parable of the soils (Luke 8: ). In His explanation of the parable He said, “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience (Luke 8:15). The word “noble” is translated “honest” in many translations. In Matthew’s account of the parable note how he recorded Jesus words, “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it..." (13:23). The good and honest heart led to understanding.

In another place, Jesus spoke of some who did not understand because their hearts were hardened (Mark 6:52). He said in the Sermon on the Mount that the pure in heart are blessed because it is they who will see God (Matthew 5:8). This “seeing” is not just one day be ushered into God’s presence, but also coming to know and understand Him.

And so, what is necessary to having that good and honest heart as we search the Scriptures?

• First, we must never study God’s word with a heart filled with prejudice and preconceived ideas. The Jews in Jesus’ day had studied the Old Testament which had so much to say about the coming Messiah. Yet, they rejected Jesus because He did not measure up to what they believed the Messiah was to be (cf. John 5:38-40). This prejudice and the preconceived ideas caused many of them to miss the Messiah. When you open the pages of God’s word try to approach it with a “blank” mind that says, “Lord, let me see exactly what You are saying.”


• We must never study God’s word with a heart that is trying to “prove a point.” Rather, let the Bible itself make the point! So many today have heard things they believe to be in the Bible. When they read and study, it is always with the glasses of trying to sustain what they already think it says. Don’t do that! Let God tell you what He said, not what you think or want Him to say.


• We must never study God’s Word with a heart that says, “I’ll only take some.” Unlike Jehoiakim, we must not approach God’s word with a “penknife mentality” and cut out the parts we do not like (Jeremiah 36:20-26). With God’s word it is all or nothing. We cannot be selective hearers.


• We must never study God’s Word with the heart that says, “Just anything will do.” Some honestly believe that as long as one is sincere, anything goes. If we are really honest we will have to admit that God doesn’t operate that way. Saul was sincere while doing “many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). You don’t go to the doctor with a sore throat and say, “Doc, my throat is sore but if you sincerely want to amputate my leg go ahead.”

There are numerous other things we could say about the good and honest heart but space does not permit. Be assured though, that one essential element for understanding God’s Word is a good and honest heart!

~Mark Howell

For the next installment in this series, click here.