Summary:
...If all we abandon God's gift of understanding, and treat his words as if they are discerned and proven only by experiments in logic, then is come to pass the prophecy which describes men as "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, 2Tm0307."
...If we try to interpret scripture as "what it means to you," or, "what it means to me," then there would be as many interpretations as there are readers of the scriptures. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amo0303." For they have one thing in common, and that is, they speak not their own words.
...That we may all speak the same thing. Jesus himself spoke not his own words, for, "The word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. And again, "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."
..."These
things have I (Jesus) spoken unto you, being yet present with
you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring
all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." " If
ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children:
how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit
to them that ask him?"
..."The
anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye
need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth
you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it
hath taught you,
ye shall abide in him."
...We have been given an understanding: Let us use it. Reason out of the scriptures, comparing spiritual things with spiritual, lean not to thine own understanding. "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" "In which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.
Further reading:
(1) It is written, He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord, Jer2328,29. If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, Isa0820.
(2) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar, Pro3005,06.
(3) All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it, Pro0808-11.
(4) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord, Jas0105-07.
(5) That
we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and
cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking
the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to
the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase
of the body unto the edifying of itself in love, Eph0414-16.
(6) Jesus said, If a man love me, he will keep my words:
and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make
our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:
and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which
sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present
with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and
bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto
you, Jhn1423-2
(7) Jesus said, If any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak, Jhn1247-50.
(8) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him, Heb0203.
(9) When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe, 1Th0213.
(10) I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you, Jhn1612-14.
(11) And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost (the spirit of wisdom and understanding, Isa1102) fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost, Act1042-45.
(12) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you, Jhn1417) Luk1113.
(13) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not, Jhn0663,64.
(14) He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Jer2328,29.
(15) John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable, Luk0316,17.
(16) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word, Act1043,44.
(17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Rom1017.
(18) This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Gal0302.
(19) We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life, 1Jn0520.
(20) These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him, 1Jn0226,27.
(21) Jesus said, The word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me, Jhn1424.
(22) For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him, Jhn0334. If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, Isa0820.
(23) Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amo0303. (For they have one thing in common, and that is,) they Speak not their own words, cf.Isa5813.
(24) Jesus saith, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me, Jhn1406.
(25) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad, Mat1230.
(26) He that is of God heareth God's words, Jhn0847.
(27) It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Mat0404. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh, Ecc1212.
(28) (Paul) Reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Act1702. From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works, 2Tm0315-17.
(29) Now I (Paul) beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment, 1Co0110. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all, Eph0403-06.
(30) We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error, 1Jn0406.
(31) Verily, verily, I (Jesus) say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them, Jhn1001-08.
(32) I (Jesus) am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd, Jhn1009-16.
(33) Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see (the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, Eph0118); and that they which see (that which is outward, Jhn1009) might be made blind, Jhn0939.
(34) The disciples came, and said unto him (Jesus), Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath, Mat1310-12.
(35) But
if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom
the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe
not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the
image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves,
but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus'
sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, 2Co0403-06.
(36) According to the grace of God which is given unto
me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another
buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth
thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's
work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because
it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's
work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath
built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work
shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be
saved; yet so as by fire, 1Co0310-15.
(37) If a man abide not in me (Jesus), he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, (in the furnace of affliction, Isa4810) and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit (By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name, Heb1315); so shall ye be my disciples, Jhn1506-08.
(38) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken, Isa2809-13.
(39) Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness, 2Tm0214-16.
(40) If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints, 1Co1430-33.
(41) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another, Rom1409. For one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren, Mat2308.
(42) A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge, Pro1405-07.
(43) God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 1Tm0204-06.
http://www.precepts.org
e-mail: bryanspencer@precepts.org