The Bible is truly a wonderful book. However, many well-intentioned Christians misunderstand, misinterpret, and thus misapply the Word of God in their lives. If you're one of those who have hard times understanding Scripture, be encouraged: You are not alone, and God wants to help you.
All of us who have put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and have been adopted as God's children receive the wonderful privilege of seeing the Word of God plainly understood, as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. Consider what the Lord Jesus said in John 15:15.
"No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
Because of this, we can hope to understand the revelation from the Lord regarding His Word. For those who are having problems understanding Scripture, here are some tips to help you.
1. Receive it as it is
When we read the Bible, we should take it as it is. Yes, some parts of the Bible appear to be very deep and carry deeper meanings. But despite God's mysterious ways, His Words aren't actually that hard to understand.
For example, John 3:16 states, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." That's what it meant: God loved us so much that He gave Jesus for us as our ransom from sin's captivity.
There's no need to try to squeeze the Bible to get more "meat." It's already meaty on its own.
2. Read it with a receptive heart
Consider the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-9. The sower threw seeds on different kinds of ground, but the seeds were only able to sprout, grow healthy and consequently bear much fruit when they fell on good ground. A heart that's full of wrong and evil intent, as well as worldly and selfish cares will not be good ground for God's Word. Our hearts need to be willing to receive and obey what God's Word says.
"But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23)
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you
We need the Holy Spirit's help to reveal to us what Scripture is trying to tell us. Jesus said in John 16:13,
"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."
It's best to ask the Holy Spirit's help in understanding and knowing Scripture properly.
