One of the most important truths I have learned in the past 10 years is to go to the Bible without books, commentaries, booklets, articles, or audio/video resources and purpose to hear from God the Holy Spirit operating through the written word of truth. To avoid going with an idea of what I’ve always believed a certain passage to be saying. This is not for the weak. This is not for the insecure. This takes time. This takes quietness. This requires a hunger to really be fed from Christ. This requires Bible time. This commitment, if you’re not already doing it, will at first be a shock to your system and to your current method of learning truth. It will, however, change your life.
I know how life is. Usually we are so “busy” that many times we fail to hear the Lord’s still small voice speaking to our inner man through His word. So we take the easy way out by turning to other resources to get some spiritual direction.
Beloved, the Lord Jesus wants to speak directly to you. Think about it. You’ve got the Holy Spirit living in you and He will speak through the word of God. Go to it. Be careful, though. You must be patient, prayerful, and honest. Stay with it until He speaks to your heart. His voice is not audible of course, it’s actually clearer than that. And it’s okay to ask, “Lord Jesus, what are you saying to me?” Be quiet and listen. Read and re-read short passages of scripture.
One night I was cuddling my youngest daughter before bedtime. I was going over a particular scripture in my mind and unexpectedly spoke out loud to the Lord in prayer. Sarah Beth (who was about seven years old at the time) asked, “Daddy, who are you talking to
?” “I’m speaking with Jesus, sweetheart.”
Curiously she asked, “How do you hear His voice?” I paused for a moment to think about her profound question. After a moment of silence, Sarah quirked, “Hmmmm, gotcha thinking there, didn’t I?” After a good laugh, I returned to a more serious mood and prayed for the words to answer her probing question.
I asked Sarah if she had ever started to do something that her mother or I had told her not to do. She thought for a second and then responded, “Yes, sir.” I then asked her if the specific verse of scripture had ever come to her mind, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1). She quickly answered, “Yes, sir.” I explained that when she recalls scripture like that the Lord is speaking directly to her heart. “Ohhhhh,” she said with excitement, “then the Lord speaks to me all the time
!”
The Lord will speak to you through His word. I read scripture seeking more understanding. Often, I get a blank. When this happens I simply ask, “Lord Jesus, what are you saying to me?” Then I am still and I wait. As a Good Shepherd who promises to guide me, He will often answer my request by bringing other passages of scripture to my mind. Try it. You will discover that these are times of sweet fellowship and intimate communion with the Lord. If He does not open your eyes of understanding regarding a specific verse or passage then move on. He is simply not ready to give it to you.
Finally, if another believer is teaching something you do not agree with, first, go to the word and thoroughly examine the scriptures and be willing to change if God changes you. You owe it to yourself to reflect and not react. Do not allow your previous understanding of a certain passage to keep you from truly seeking instruction from the Good Master. Remember, none of us have arrived and have all the right answers. Search the scriptures.
We can be absolutely sure of this. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another
” (John 13:34-35).