Proper Attitudes
Principles of Interpretation 1 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Open-Mindedness
Almost every person alive would consider himself open-minded.
This does not necessarily mean that such personal evaluations are accurate.
There are very different ideas regarding what is considered open-mindedness.
When we speak of being open-minded, it implies that we are open to accept something.
The meaning of being open-minded needs to be defined.
Do we me that we are likely to accept almost anything?
Problems
There is no discernment.
Do we mean that, while we will not necessarily adopt what others believe, we are open enough to allow people to believe somethings we thing is wrong without voicing strong disagreement?
Problems
There is no acceptance
Do we mean that we are open to listen to others’ ideas just long enough to develop an argument against it?
Problems
There is no real consideration of other points of view
These concepts mistake gullibility, tolerance, and debate for open-mindedness.
None of these views provide for the acceptance of an idea or belief based upon the merits of that belief.
Open-mindedness is--
always being open to and willing to accept and adopt the truth.
being willing to consider anything while always comparing it to the standard.
It was this openness to truth that Jesus implied when He said....
23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
The standard we must compare all beliefs tis the word of God.
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Open-Mindedness requires a person to always consider the possibility that he might be wrong.
This does not mean that we are constantly in doubt or that we lack confidence in our understanding.
It means that we confidently hold to our beliefs until the truth requires that we discard them.
Problems
A problem with this lies in how much we associate our beliefs with our identity.
It is unlikely that we will change if we identity ourselves with what we already believe.
Solution
Having a love and desire for holding to truth in all matters.
Examples
Bereans
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
The Bereans’ claim to nobility is centered on their willingness to consider Paul’s message and their determination to accept it if it agreed with the Scriptures.
Spiritual Mindedness
Definition of pseudo-spirituality—The appearance of being spiritual without the responsibility that goes with being spiritual.
Some equate zeal with spirituality, yet Paul indicated that zeal alone does not ensure the proper spiritual mindset.
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Other rely on emotional hype to give them the strength by which to live.
Both of these after the initial “high” fail to provide what is needed.
Rather after the initial “high” has dissipated they create a dependency on emotion.
Having zeal and emotion somehow has become equated with being “Spirit-filled.”
Having zeal and emotion only as spiritual-mindedness creates pseudo-spirituality.
Being spiritual in actuality is receiving His message and living by it.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Spiritual-Mindedness is not a feeling but a determination—a determination to direct our thoughts and our lives according to God’s revealed will.
Jesus taught in parables, especially early on in His work, in order to stimulate spiritual thinking.
10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’ ” 13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
In asking these two questions, Jesus showed that their problem in understanding the parable was a failure to think spiritually.
Many times people err in their Bible study because their thinking remains centered on the physical.
The kingdom of God is not physical but spiritual.
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Others can only see life after death in physical terms (many think of heaven i this way).
Our ability to see the glory of the spiritual is often obscured by our own concentration on the material.
14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Being spiritual minded means thinking on spiritual things.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
When we are spiritually minded we will meditate upon what God has said in His Word and let His words guide our view of everything else.
A spiritual mind rejects intuition and opinion and accepts God’s answers.
Passion for Truth
A bible student must have at his very core an unyielding passion for truth.
This is easy to say but hard to always practice.
Application—Nowadays our dedication to truth often disappears should the truth actually cost us something, hurt our feelings, or require something of us.
Like—paying taxes, admitting fault, or accepting painful conclusion
A person that has a passion for truth does not only seek truth when it is convenient or suits his purposes.
A person that only seeks truth when it is convenient or suits his purposes is subjecting truth to his own whims of fancy and personal aggrandizement.
A person that has a passion for truth subjects himself to truth.
A well developed passion for truth , however, desires to know truth in order to abide by that truth.
2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
When we have a passion for truth, we will not only accept the truth of God’s Word when it is presented to us, we will also seek it out.
To a true lover of truth, it is not enough to make correction when another discovers and points out his error, rather he applies himself to knowing truth so that he might discover his own errors and make appropriate correction.
Persistence
Two common approaches to Bible study seem diametrically opposed to one another at first glance while actually stemming from the same problem.
Some people look at the Bible and read it fairly casually, afterwards asserting, “That is so simple anybody ought to be able to understand it.”
Others look at the Bible and are overwhelmed by both the mass of material contained in its pages and the difficulties presented by some passages.
These two approaches cause problems in understanding.
Many things in the Bible are simple to comprehend, while others bewilder the best of scholars.
The basic message is straightforward that it sometimes becomes a stumbling block.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
The is no denying that some places require much depth of study as Peter also affirmed.
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
An Example of the persistence we as Christians are to have
Paul told Timothy:
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The ESV renders this verse:
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Paul recognized that the effort necessary to understand holy writ surpasses the casual.
This implies that it takes great effort to understand it correctly.
It is possible to approach the Scriptures with to much confidence in our own intelligence.
Some mistakenly believe that if they cannot understand it the first time they study it then it must not be worth knowing.
This mistaken belief can cause a student of the bible to stop studying when an easy explanation is reached.
Example from Calvin and Hobbes.
Calvin asks his father what makes the wind blow, to which his father responds, “Trees sneezing.” Calvin replies, “Really?” After which his father admits, “No, but the truth is more difficult.” The next frame shows Calvin out in the wind saying to Hobbes, “The trees sure are sneezing today!”
We should never accept the easy answer without the necessary persistence to discover the truth.
We should always be willing to dig into the Scriptures.
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
The word “reading” in the Greek is from a word that means “to know again.”
it carries the idea of reviewing what you know.
Persistence also includes taking the time to to reflect upon what God says.
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
This meditation, giving diligence, or Study
Persistence in bible study:
Causes us to seek the truth.
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Causes us to seek the whole truth.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
Causes us to seek nothing but the truth.
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Causes one to make the struggle necessary to get the background of the passage to find the meat beyond the milk.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Causes one to draw only those conclusions that are warranted by the evidence.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Causes us to realize there is always more available to learn.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
Causes us to have a heart to seek the truth out.
97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
Persistence in bible study does not allow:
One to settle for basic knowledge or simply facts
Acceptance of Truth
Studying the Bible requires a person to lower defense mechanisms.
Sometimes a defense mechanisms will cause internal conflict between old beliefs and new information that will cause a person to despise truth simply because it is new.
We should never have an attitude of dismissing something simply because it is new to us.
How do we approach bible study or sermon’s?
With an ear of truth?
Or with an ear for having our own beliefs substantiated?
Jesus said, as He concluded the parable of the sower,
18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”
The difference between the two categories presented lies in their willingness to hear truth and accept it as truth.
The unfortunate truth is that some people spend the majority of their study time trying to explain away what the Bible teaches instead of accepting it.
Some try to explain away moral imperatives “cultural prerogatives.”
They see verses that obviously contradict their teachings and then twist evidence to reinvent the meaning of the words in that passage.
Some will even go so far as to admit the truth on a scholastic level yet never adapt to it on the doctrinal level.
Many religious groups are building their reputation by calling themselves “Bible-believers” while ignoring much of what the Bible says.
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
A person that is going to accept truth cannot be willing to accept inconsistency or hypocrisy in themselves.
When two beliefs are not consistent with one another, one must be rejected.
This inconsistency must actually be in the doctrines and not in their desire for the doctrine to be inconsistent.
Faith and works are consistent even those there are those who teach they are not.
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Grace and law are consistent even though there are those who teach they are not.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Sometimes people reject the truth saying “it can’t mean that!”
These objections are often more personal than biblical.
Moral Courage
Moral courage is having the internal fortitude to accept truth and its consequences bravely while withstanding the flurry of fiery darts from the wicked one.
Sometimes this persecution even comes from friendly fire.
Moral courage requires more endurance because we must have it not only for a few moments of heroism but also for the struggle that often ensues shortly afterwards with our friends, family and even ourselves.
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
It takes moral courage to accept the responsibilities that come with the freedom truth brings.
26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
It can be overwhelming when we realize the commitment that is required in Bible study.
Example
When setting down to study and being honest with the truth one finds they are not a Christian in God’s eyes.
It takes courage to reject what you have been taught your whole life and accept the truth.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—
Logical
For some reason people use logic in the everyday life but refuse to use the same logic in religious matters choosing to rely on emotionalism rather than rational reason.
This could be because some have a problem comprehending how reason and emotion can coexist.
The Bible clearly teaches that, we are to be a caring and loving people whose hearts are deeply moved by God’s love.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
It also teaches that God expects us to be a people who use logic and reason to determine what the Scriptures teach.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
The word “test” means “verify,” to compare objectively to a standard.
It is clear that God intended for the study of His word to be based in reason from what Peter recorded 1 Peter 2:2.
2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
The phrase “of the word” translates from the Greek word logikos.
Logikos is the word we derive our English word logical.
The Greek word logikos means reasonable or rational.
The context of 1 Peter 2:2 is that the gospel does not seek to appeal to people through trickery or emotional hype but through reason.
This is the same word that is used in Romans 12:1 when it records reasonable service.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
or rational service.
This would mean that it is logical that we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God.
This conclusion can be reach reasonably, rationally or logically.
This shows that one does not have to leave his mind “at home” in order to come to the conclusion that serving God is proper.
He expects us to use reason to understand the message that He communicated to us through reason.
It is through logic that we can put our beliefs to the test against God’s standard.
God’s Word is not understood subjectively as if you can have your interpretation and I have mine.
If we take this approach to God’s Word we are rejecting logic for personal opinion.
God, by his very nature, can have only ONE opinion and accept only ONE interpretation.
One that is consistent with His own.
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
We have to be careful when we call God’s stance and opinion that we do not imply that God’s stance is not fact but opinion.
30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
God does not have an opinion His word is truth.
4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”
It is through logic that we check to make sure our interpretation agrees with God’s.
If God created us to be caring, loving and logical then it is only reasonable that they are not incompatible.
Without logic emotion would have no meaning.
Without logic you can feel saved without being saved.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. 15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. 16 A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.
Emotion can give you the feeling but cannot provide the substance.
Logic leads you to the substance whereby you can also enjoy the feeling—with confidence.