Bible Reading: Ezra 6: 2 Timothy 2:10-18
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly diving the word of truth” – 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV).
The need to rightly interpret and correctly apply the word of God cannot be overemphasized. Our destiny and that of people we lead are dependent on our ability to correctly interpret, teach and apply the word of God.
We live at such a time that people use the scripture for their selfish interest. They interpret the word to say what they want it to say. For such self-centered people, their pleasure, convenience and comfort is placed above the will of God.
Today, we have so much confusion and contradictions because people chose to interpret the scriptures to suit their selfish interests. So much of self, human traditions and personal ideas and human philosophy are introduced in the interpretation of the biblical teachings. This accounts for the wide differences in doctrines of churches.
To rightly divide the word of truth, self should be put aside and the Holy Spirit, who inspired the writers of the scriptures, given his proper place. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is a necessity. The Holy Spirit holds the key to the understanding, interpretation and right application of the word. He, as the author, enlightens the minds of the teacher to understand the mind of God.
On the part of the believer, there is the need to renew the mind through meditation on the word. Today, Bible reading seems to have replaced Bible study. Only few people commit to indebt study of the word. Most people simply read commentaries and resort to concordance to find scriptures related to the issues of life confronting them. Preachers and teachers teach their human principles and simply make reference to the Bible leaving members shallow. The culture of Bible study is being neglected and is fast fading. Most preachers hardly read the Bible; they simply speak as orators with motivational words to excite the people. There is an urgent need to return to indebt study of the word so we can rightly divide the truth by correct application.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to rightly divide the word.
Rev. Vincent Diolu