The Church as a whole has come to a place where there is no longer a clear and concise understanding of the Gospel Fundamentals. This has led to a shift away from trusting the Word of God and toward human-made traditions. The consequences are far-reaching, with many Church members building their faith on denominational foundations rather than the solid rock of scripture.
The Danger of Man-Made Traditions and Customs
Over time, various denominations have adopted customs and traditions passed down through generations, teaching them as doctrine. This trend has been further intensified by the influence of Western worldviews and Greco-Roman mindsets, which have deeply impacted how the modern, Western Church interprets scripture. These influences often lead to interpretations that are removed from the original context of the Bible, which was written from a Jewish perspective. As a result, our biblical understanding becomes skewed, and we drift away from trusting the Word of God as it was intended to be understood.
This shift toward man-made traditions, combined with the overlay of Western philosophical thinking, has led to:
- Distortion of the Gospel of the Kingdom
- Spiritual confusion
- Straying from God's whole story of redemption
Having a philosophical way of thinking and teaching allows for the paraphrasing of scripture, which leads to private interpretations that deviate from the truth. This method of teaching has caused the Gospel to be distorted, skewed, and in many ways, watered down. Scripture warns that such things would happen in the last days:
"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Lean Not On Your Own Understanding
We are all guilty of accepting teachings without verifying them against the Word of God. Often, we believe everything we are taught without doing our scripture research. This can happen for several reasons:
- The sermon sounds good to us.
- We trust the preacher.
- The message aligns with what we want to believe.
However, Jesus instructed us to search the scriptures and believe in Him as the scriptures have said. Therefore, we must always turn back to the Bible to ensure what we have been taught is scripturally accurate.
"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."
Proverbs 14:12
God has warned us that there would be ways that seem right to a man but lead to death. When we decide for ourselves what pleases God without seeking His approval, we are practicing private interpretation. This can make us false prophets before the Lord.
The Danger of Private Interpretation
Have you ever been told to stop doing something not pleasing to the Lord? Our first reaction is often to justify our behavior. We might even search for scriptures to back up our actions, such as:
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13
"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify."
1 Corinthians 10:23
Taking these verses out of context can lead us to believe we are free to decide what is beneficial and what is not. However, these verses are part of a larger narrative, and understanding them requires seeing the Word of God as a whole, not just individual passages.
Leaning in God's Understanding
From the beginning of time, God has set standards for His children to follow and truth for His children to know. He knows what is best for us, considering He created all that exists. When God created Adam, He commanded him to continue in His Word, promising that all would be well. However, Adam leaned on his own understanding and took heed of what his wife, Eve, said. We know the outcome of that decision—sin entered the world.
Today, we are not far from where Adam and Eve were. Our natural desire to please ourselves can override the will of God, making it difficult for Him to direct our paths. Solomon understood this when he wrote:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
Aligning with God's Story
The Bible presents one unified narrative, a singular path that unfolds God's redemptive plan for humanity. It is crucial to approach the scriptures without letting our modern worldviews distort this narrative. The scriptures were written from a Jewish worldview, and to grasp the proper understanding of God's Word, we must see it through that lens. This perspective allows us to comprehend the full depth and richness of the biblical narrative, ensuring that our interpretations align with God's story.
Think about the outcome if you began to solely trust in the Lord and not lean on your own understanding. Here are some changes you might see:
- Sermons: Every sermon you listen to will be filtered through the Word of God.
- Music: Every song that comes on the radio will be scanned with the Gospel scanner.
- Scripture Understanding: Your understanding of the scriptures will reflect God's understanding.
A Call to Action: Returning to Scriptural Accuracy
As believers, one of the most crucial questions we face is, "How do we know what decisions to make, and how can we interpret scripture accurately?" To navigate these challenges, it is important to approach the Bible in a way that reflects its original context and teachings. Here are helpful principles to help guide your decision-making and scripture interpretation:
See Scripture from a Middle Eastern Perspective
- Understand the Jewish Worldview: The Bible is rooted in Jewish customs, traditions, and ways of thinking. To grasp its true meaning, we must see it through the lens of those who originally wrote and lived it.
- Consider Historical Context: Knowing the historical background of the time when the scriptures were written helps in understanding their full meaning. For example, understanding the covenantal relationship between God and Israel sheds light on many Old Testament teachings.
Return to the Writings and Teachings of the Prophets and Apostles
- Study the Prophets: The prophets laid the foundation for understanding gospel of the kingdom and God’s plans for human redemption. Writings such as the Psalms and Provers provide deep insights into God's character and His expectations for His people.
- "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets."
- Amos 3:7
- Follow the Apostolic Teachings: The apostles, who walked with Jesus and were commissioned by Him, offer guidance on how to view and live out the teachings of Christ. Their letters and epistles are critical for understanding how the early Church interpreted and applied Jesus' teachings.
- "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
- Acts 2:42
Trust in the Guidance of the Holy Spirit
As we study and interpret scripture, it is essential to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance. The Holy Spirit, who inspired the scriptures, is also our Teacher in understanding them:
- Seek Spiritual Discernment: Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and heart to the basic oracles of scripture and to lead you into all truth.
- "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come."
- John 16:13
- Pray for Wisdom: Regularly pray for wisdom as you read and interpret the Bible. God promises to give wisdom generously to those who ask for it.
- "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
- James 1:5
In Closing
God the Father is ready to direct us in the way we should go if we are willing to trust in His Word and lean on His understanding. The Bible provides a clear path for us to follow, and it is up to us to choose life by adhering to God's commandments.
In closing, let us recommit ourselves to trusting the Word of God and avoiding private interpretation. By aligning our understanding with His, we ensure that our faith is built on the solid foundation of scripture, leading to a life that reflects His will and purpose.
Amen!
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