“Essential Elements for Understanding the Scriptures–#3”

For part 2 of this series, click here.

So far we have noted two essential elements for understanding the Scriptures. The first is a good and honest heart and the second is a heart which believes God’s Word can be understood. In our efforts to be better students of God’s Book, what other essentials are needed for understanding?

We tend to spend time with the people and things we love. Concerning the people we love, we want to learn as much about them as we possibly can. We do not do this to be “nosey,” but so that we will know their likes and dislikes so that we can better please them. Concerning the things we love, we try to learn as much about them as we possibly can. For example, if a person “loves to fish,” he will spend time researching all he can about fishing. He tries to find the best rod and reel to help him catch the big one. He searches out the best bait and scopes out the best “fishing holes.” He even studies the best time of day to help make him the most successful fisherman he can possibly be. And guess what. None of this is a chore because he is learning about something he loves!

The same is true with our understanding the Scriptures. God’s Word has to be something we have grown to love. That helps keep our interest impassioned and our curiosity keen. The tediousness of study is not a chore when we have developed a sincere adoration of the Bible which in turn produces more fruitful investigation.

The Psalmist had a love affair with the Lord’s Word. Consider the following from Psalm 119:

V. 47 “And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love.”

V. 48 “My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.”

V. 97 “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

V. 113 “I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law.”

V. 119 “You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies.”

V. 127 “Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!”

V. 159 “Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.”

V. 163 “I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law.”

V. 167 “My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly.”

The words “commandments,” “statutes,” “law,” “testimonies,” and “precepts” all refer to God’s Word. And, no matter how one referred to it, the Psalmist loved it! He loved it “more than gold”—he loved it “exceedingly.” No wonder he was willing to “meditate” on it all day. The Psalmist also says that the righteous man will do the same: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). Commenting on this verse Albert Barnes writes,

“The meaning here is, he thinks of it; he endeavors to understand its meaning; he has pleasure in reflecting on it. It is not a subject which he puts away from him, or in respect to which he is indifferent, but he keeps it before his mind, and has satisfaction in doing it (Notes on the Bible).

Paul makes it clear that some “believe a lie” and as a result are condemned” (2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12). He also states a reason, “because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (v. 10). The implication is this. A love of the truth may have caused further investigation and understanding so that the person would not have perished due to disobedience.

To sum it up, if you desire to come to a better understanding of the Scriptures, one element that is needed is a love for them. Work diligently on growing your affection for, and appreciation of God’s Word.

~Mark Howell