Study!

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

The words of the wise are like [prodding] goads, and these collected sayings are [firmly fixed in the mind] like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this my son, [about going further than the words given by one Shepherd], be warned: the writing of many books is endless [so do not believe everything you read], and excessive study and devotion to books is wearying to the body.

When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 AMP

Study is good … to a point. Why study? To learn how God has interacted with Man in the past. Learning from the mistakes others have already made… so that you won’t make the same ones. Studying the scriptures with the intent of understanding. But… that can only really happen with the Author’s help. Because spiritual things can only be understood by the Spirit.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

Wisdom, understanding Truth, and spiritual discernment come from the Holy Spirit. But unless you are willing to study, research, and continually ask for the Holy Spirit to help you understand – you will remain stagnant in your spiritual maturation. Learning to ask for the right ‘interpretation’ from the Holy Spirit is necessary for right understanding. This may take going back as far as one can to the original languages and studying the history of the time it was written. Being willing to ‘dig’ with the Holy Spirit to ‘root’ out the wisdom of the time. Learning how to translate from the original languages has never been more available to EVERY believer as now if they have access to the internet. Rather than relying on someone else’s translation – do your own. Tools like Biblehub.com can help you.

Learning that any translation from one language to the next is actually more of an “interpretation” than a direct absolute translation – because the nuances, euphemism, culture, and geography are very much part of the language. English and American are VERY different EVEN in their own respective country, depending on where you are in that country. The same goes for people and history everywhere. How will you really know what God wants specifically from you if you can’t … hear His voice … clearly? How will you know what He wants you to study to work on the areas that your character needs to develop… today? Just studying without real-world hands-on experience guided by the Holy Spirit won’t get you very far.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13

Father …we seek YOU! YOU are our Author of our days. Help us to understand YOU better. Help us to hear YOU better with greater clarity and understanding. Holy Spirit …teach us the Way we should go … THIS DAY! Show us Jesus!