The first Person we should consult, in order to properly divide and discern the Word of Truth, is the Holy Spirit…
UNDERSTANDING HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTS AS A HOLOGRAM
If you take a piece of film and expose it under a laser’s light you get a holographic (three dimensional) image.
Likewise when we study and meditate in God’s word, before we begin, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate it, to give us the understanding we need to to give us wisdom, direction and guidance in our life.
Without that illumination of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is just ink on paper.
So each day, as we read and meditate in God’s Word, let us remember always to ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the scriptures for us and to apply its principles and truths to our lives, and to our daily circumstances.
John 16:12-15
The Voice
12 Jesus speaking: “I have so much more to say, but you cannot absorb it right now.
13-15 The Spirit of truth will come and guide you in all truth.
He will not speak His own words to you; He will speak what He hears, revealing to you the things to come and bringing glory to Me.
The Spirit has unlimited access to Me, to all that I possess and know, just as everything the Father has is Mine.
That is the reason I am confident He will care for My own and reveal the path to you.”
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It has always been my experience that the Bible is its own best commentary; if when reading the scriptures there’s a certain area you may not understand, then take that scripture and put it on your “God shelf” and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate it for you and give you understanding.
Very often, the Holy Spirit will explain one passage of scripture by directing you to another passage, as the Bible always is its own best commentary.
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Fri, January 7
Daily Devotionals
by Inspiration Ministries
UNDERSTANDING
“’Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ […] Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.”
— Acts 8:30-31, 35
An official from Ethiopia was returning home from Jerusalem. Clearly a sincere seeker, he was reading a passage from Isaiah but did not understand the meaning.
At that moment Philip, who was following the leading of the Spirit, approached him.
The man admitted that he needed help understanding what he was reading. Philip responded by preaching Jesus, “beginning at this Scripture.”
After hearing Philip’s teaching, the Ethiopian understood and believed.
The passage made sense. Acting on his belief, he asked to be baptized (vs. 36-38).
Many people are like this Ethiopian. They read Bible passages, yet don’t understand.
These are moments to remember the spiritual dimension of the Word and why we need a spiritual approach.
We need to pray and ask God for discernment. Ask the Spirit to open our eyes spiritually, give us revelation, and lead us to mature believers who might give us insight.
Paul illustrated these principles when he wrote,
“The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God.”
These spiritual truths can seem like “foolishness” to our minds because the deeper things of the Bible “are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Have you ever struggled to understand a passage from the Bible?
Are you not sure what the words mean?
These are times to pray and ask God for discernment.
As He leads, seek the insights of mature believers who can help you understand.
PRAYER
Father, I seek spiritual discernment for Your Word and revelation from You. Give me a clearer understanding. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
Acts 8
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