SET PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE

Set Passages of Scripture



Set Passages of Scripture

Question) Comment On The Significance Of The First Passage And Explain How It Might Be Linked To The Second.

Introduction

The first passage offers a valuable piece of advice concerning knowledge. We must apply ourselves to knowledge and instruction. We are not seeking to prove something to someone else; we are seeking knowledge to apply to our own heart. As we see how the doctrine of God applies to our life and follow through in applying it, we gain understanding. Those who are wise store up knowledge. Anyone who says doctrine is not important is following foolish advice. The Bible tells us to learn knowledge - which knows the commands and teachings of scripture - is wise. Those who neglect this principle are near destruction. (Dunn & Rogerson, 2004)

 The above passage from Proverbs 13 affirms the first passage - we must apply what we have learned to our own heart and then act on it. If you have knowledge and never act in agreement with the teaching of scripture, it is useless. After we apply ourselves to learn doctrine, apply ourselves to what we have learned and acted according to what we learn in scripture, we then will have the understanding to speak knowledge rightly. It is God that gives understanding and He has promised to reveal these things to us as we seek and obey Him.

 Many teach bad doctrine because they have not applied their hearts to the knowledge of God's precepts and statutes. When people are not walking according to truth, they will seek ways to make truth fit their foolish decisions and justify their actions. When someone teaches that we can sin because Jesus has paid for all sins, chances are that they have a sinful habit that they are clinging to and need to justify. When someone teaches that doctrine is not important, they are either unwilling to study for themselves or they are preparing their congregations to go in a direction that is not in agreement with scripture.

 As we listen to the teachings of others, we cannot always know their motivations but we can know if they are teaching according to truth. It is the responsibility of every teacher and preacher to uphold the doctrines of scripture as they apply it first to their own lives and then to teach others how to seek truth and apply it for themselves. It is the responsibility of every Christian to seek and know truth for them so that they can be thoroughly equipped for every good work and have true intimacy with God as they learn to conform to the example of Jesus Christ. We must learn not to be dependent on people but to stand on our own faith. Anyone who has the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ also has the anointing of God and is able to understand the scriptures. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth of scriptures accurately and there is no private ...