Yes, I heard Scripture on Sunday mornings, but personal Bible study was not part of our family (or church) culture. In my late teens I began questioning everything – it all seemed flimsy, and I couldn’t get my footing, so I meandered away looking for solid ground.
In my early twenties I had a conversation that made me stop short. How could I reject the Bible if I hadn’t read it?
I began seriously reading the Word. I can say, without hesitation, that immersing myself in God’s Word has had more impact on my journey of faith than anything else I have done. Between the pages of my Bible I met my sovereign, holy, loving Father. I learned Who He really is. I met Jesus Christ—not the soft, gentle, come-give-me-a-hug man of my Sunday School classes, but a wildly loving radical servant Son Who changed everything.
The transforming impact of my journey with the Word is the heart behind why I am so passionate about writing about it. Without the Holy Spirit, I would not have had the Word to read, nor would I be able to understand it.
God’s Word is Holy Spirit Inspired
Men did not invent Scripture out of their own minds! The Holy Spirit “carried them along”:
”For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)
Peter explained to his fellow believers that the Holy Spirit spoke through David, prophesying about Judas:
“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.” (Acts 1:16)
And Paul reminded Timothy (and us) that all Scripture is God breathed:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16)
The Greek word for “God-breathed” used in 2 Tim 3:16 is theopneustos (θεόπνευστος). The Greek word for “Spirit” used in 2 Peter 1:21 is Pneumatos (Πνεύματος), and in Acts 1:16 is Pneuma (Πνεῦμα). Can you see the similar root in those three words?
“What makes Scripture powerful, or ‘living and active’, is that the words are God’s very own.” – David Garner
The Holy Spirit Helps Us to Understand Scripture
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit teaches us all things:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things…” (John 14:26 a)
Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can not only learn, but also understand God’s Word. It is through understanding that we are able to apply God’s truth to our lives:
“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12)
The Holy Spirit also convicts us through the Word. The eyes of our hearts are opened to areas of sin and the need to grow in righteousness:
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:”
(John 16:8)
Isn’t it incredible that through the Holy Spirit we have been given the gift of being able to learn and understand God’s Word and apply it to our lives to makes changes for God’s glory?
The Holy Spirit Brings Scripture to Mind When We Need it
Have you ever been struggling in prayer about something, and suddenly you remember a verse that perfectly addresses your situation? That is the Holy Spirit at work!
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26)
Not only does the Holy Spirit help us to understand Scripture, He brings it to mind at just the moment we need it. Praise God for His Spirit at work through the Word and in our daily lives!
Lord, thank you for sending Your Spirit to dwell in our hearts. Thank you for Your Word which instructs and convicts. What a blessing that we are able, through Your Spirit, to go through each day with Your precious Word in our hearts and minds! Please grow our trust in You, help us to understand Your will through Your Word, and strengthen us to walk in obedience.
Amen.
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