I'm sitting here in my home with a fresh cup of coffee in my hand. Outside, the Southern morning is just starting to wake up, but inside, it's quiet. The house is still. It’s in these moments, when I’m alone with the Word, that I often think about the "Scribes" I’ve been talking about lately. You know the ones—the folks who treat the Bible like a dead museum piece rather than a living, breathing encounter with the Creator of the universe.
Have you ever sat down to read your Bible and felt like you were just scanning a grocery list? You know the words are important, you know they're holy, but they just aren't hitting you? That's the pain point so many of us face. We go to church, we hear the monologue from the pulpit, and we walk away feeling like we've checked a box, but our spirits are still hungry. We’re starving in the midst of a feast because we haven’t learned how to actually eat the bread of life ourselves. We've been taught to rely on the "experts" and the "theologians," but we've forgotten how to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit for ourselves.
There is a way out of that dry, carnal wilderness. I’ve spent years seeking, failing, and trying again, and through that trial and error, a method has emerged—a way of approaching the Word that makes it come alive. It’s about moving past the ink on the page and into a spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus. I want to share that with you today because I have a passion for you to experience what I experience. I want you to see the "tapestries of doctrine" emerge and feel the Word quicken in your spirit until you want to shout it from the rooftops.
The solution isn't more academic study or another PhD commentary. The solution is the Holy Spirit of Truth. Jesus promised us that the Spirit would guide us into all truth, and when that happens, the Bible isn't just a book anymore; it's an adventure. It’s sharp, it’s active, and it’s waiting to change your life.
When I first started this series, I was going to go on and on about all the specific words I take issue with and why. But I think you've got the point by now: we should prayerfully chew on the Word of God and seek the true meaning as the Spirit gives utterance. We have to get to the source. It’s absolutely amazing how God has preserved His Word. Jesus said, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35 KJV). Think about that. The very words of the King are with us today, accessible and ready to be explored.
But how do we explore them? I like to think of it like Ezekiel’s river. Remember when Ezekiel was led into the water? At first, it was just up to the ankles. That’s where many of us start—carnally meditating on the Word, just getting our feet wet. But as we walk out our faith in obedience, the water gets deeper. It goes to the knees, then the loins, and eventually, it’s a river you can swim in.
I think about the priests in the book of Joshua. They had a personal responsibility to the people. They had to be the first ones to step into the Jordan River. They didn't wait for the water to stop; they had to get their feet wet while the river was still flowing. Once they began walking out their faith in obedience, that’s when the miracle happened. The river went down, and the people could cross over to the Promised Land. You and I have that same responsibility. We have to seek God diligently, not just for ourselves, but for others. When we get our "feet wet" in the Word, we pave the way for others to find the truth.
One of the most vital things I’ve learned is that the Holy Spirit of Truth is the ultimate Teacher. Jesus said, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13 KJV). This should be the normal Christian life. You're reading a passage you’ve seen a hundred times, and suddenly—snap—it lights up. It becomes active. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).
In my own study, I’ve found that God usually confirms the Word by bringing another scripture to my remembrance. That’s the Spirit’s specialty. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26 KJV). To facilitate this, I consume massive amounts of scripture. I read it, I listen to it—I stay immersed in it. If we abide in His Word, His thoughts start to replace our own "stinking thinking."
The Rule of Two or Three Witnesses
Now, I have a very rigid rule when it comes to doctrine. I don't build a house on a single verse. I’ve seen too many people fall into "Bible chopping"—taking one verse out of context and twisting it into something it was never meant to be. Even the devil tried that with Jesus in the wilderness! He quoted Psalm 91 to try and get Jesus to jump off the temple. He used the Word to try and bring death.
Because of this, I stand on the biblical principle of multiple witnesses. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established (Matthew 18:16 KJV). This theme is all over the Bible, from Deuteronomy to the New Testament. If I'm going to step out in faith, I want to know I'm standing on a solid rock, not a house of cards.
Take the famous passage: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Matthew 7:7 KJV). If you take that verse alone, you might think Jesus is just a genie in a bottle. But if you look at the "sum" of the Word, you see James attenuating that same concept: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts (James 4:3 KJV). You see? The Spirit brings the balance. You can't just pick one verse and ignore the nature, character, and authority of Christ. As the Psalmist said, Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever (Psalm 119:160 KJV). The American Standard Version says "the sum of thy word is truth," and I love that rendering.
Tools of the Trade
I also believe in using the tools God has provided. I’m a huge fan of a free tool called e-Sword (e-sword.net). It allows you to see parallel versions side-by-side. When I see a disparity—like how the King James Version is the only one that translates "pascha" as "Easter" instead of "Passover"—it sparks a Bible adventure. I want to know why.
I use lexicons like Strong’s, Thayer’s, and especially Vine’s. These tools let you look at the original Greek and Hebrew words. Remember, Jesus didn’t speak King James English. Our contemporary definitions of words often miss the mark of what the original utterance meant. When you use e-Sword and hover over a Strong’s number, the definition pops right up. It’s like having a key to a hidden treasure chest.
Personal Reflections
I’ve had to learn these things the hard way. I remember years ago, I was leading worship in a church, but I was still listening to secular heavy metal music. I thought it was fine. I had my own "presuppositions" about what was acceptable. But I had mentors in my life—people who walked in the supernatural and actually loved me. They didn't rebuke me out of spite; they did it because they cared for my soul.
One day, after talking with them, I realized that my "stinking thinking" was blocking my growth. I took all those secular CDs and books out and I burned them. I’m telling you, I experienced a major deliverance that day. If I had been listening to "cessationists"—people who believe the power of God stopped with the apostles—they probably would have told me the music was no big deal. But these mentors had the "signs of a believer" in their lives.
What are those signs? Jesus told us: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:17-18 KJV). I want to hang out with people who actually believe the Bible is real today.
I’ve also had to learn to be humble enough to hear from anyone. Sometimes, someone brand new to the faith will say something, and the Holy Spirit will "click" it in my spirit. They don't have the baggage of decades of church tradition, so they see the Word with fresh eyes. I remember once, I didn't believe that angels had children with women. I had read the Bible several times and just... blocked it out. Then my grandmother mentioned it matter-of-factly, and I went back to Genesis 6 and realized it had been there the whole time! I had been blinded by my own presuppositions. We have to be teachable. We have to shut up our own reasoning and let the Spirit speak.
Biblical References
Throughout my journey, certain scriptures have become the anchors for how I study. I don't just look at them; I try to live them. When Jesus said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4 KJV), He wasn't being metaphorical. He was talking about a literal, spiritual sustenance. If we aren't eating the Word, we are starving.
And we have to remember the source of that Word. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21 KJV). If the Holy Spirit moved them to write it, we need that same Holy Spirit to move us to understand it.
I've learned to value the Bible's own internal cross-references more than any human commentary. Commentaries are okay for history, but for doctrine? I'll take the Word over a PhD any day. Paul said it best: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of god (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 KJV). Using tools like the "Treasury of Scripture Knowledge" lets the Bible interpret itself. It’s the most exhaustive listing of cross-references you can find, and it’s a staple in my study.
Key Takeaways
- Seek the Spirit, not just the Letter: The Holy Spirit is the one who "quickens" the Word and makes it alive.
- The Rule of Witnesses: Never build a doctrine on a single verse. Look for two or three witnesses in the text to establish the truth.
- Tools are a Blessing: Use resources like e-Sword, YouVersion, and lexicons to dig into the original meanings of the words.
- Check Your Presuppositions: Be willing to admit you might be wrong. Let the Spirit clear out your "stinking thinking."
- Find Spirit-Led Mentors: Surround yourself with an "inner circle" of believers who show the signs of the Spirit and truly love you.
- Abide in the Word: Consume large amounts of scripture daily to let God's thoughts become your thoughts.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Bible study isn't supposed to be a chore; it’s supposed to be a feast. It’s about building an intimate, supernatural relationship with Jesus Christ. If you’re tired of the dry, carnal way of reading, I encourage you to stop right now and ask the Holy Spirit of Truth to guide you. Be like the priests who stepped into the Jordan—take that step of faith and watch the waters part.
If this message has touched you, I’d love to hear about it. Have you ever had a moment where a verse suddenly "lit up" for you? Or maybe you've struggled with "Bible chopping" in the past? Drop a comment below or send me an email at conrad@conradrocks.net.
Also, if you want to dive deeper into my own supernatural journey and how I learned to hear God's voice, check out my books: OPEN YOUR EYES: MY SUPERNATURAL JOURNEY and Overcoming Night Terror: Making the Demons Leave. They go into much more detail about the experiences that shaped these teachings.
Let’s keep digging deeper and going higher together!
Action Items
- Download e-Sword: Go to e-sword.net and install it on your computer. Start using the "KJV+" feature to see the Strong's numbers.
- Practice the 2-Witness Rule: The next time you find a verse that seems to teach a major doctrine, find at least two other places in the Bible that confirm that same principle in context.
- Listen to the Word: Try listening to an audio Bible for at least 30 minutes today. Let the Word wash over you without stopping to over-analyze every single sentence.
- Identify Your Inner Circle: Who are the two or three people in your life who exhibit the signs of a believer and truly love you? Reach out to them this week to discuss a scripture you’ve been studying.
- Prayer of Openness: Before you read the Bible tomorrow, pray specifically: "Holy Spirit of Truth, please remove my presuppositions and teach me what God originally meant."
No comments:
Post a Comment