Have you ever said or thought something like, "I know I'm supposed to read the Bible, but I just have problems understanding it?" If you've ever felt this way, you are certainly not alone. In fact, I hear this complaint quite frequently.
I think it's important for every person to know that they can understand the Bible. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Paul also wrote that when those at the church in Ephesus read his letter they could "understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4). Both Jesus and Paul point out that truth is knowable, and that can only mean one thing: that the Bible is understandable.
It is also important to know that understanding the Bible doesn't require buying a bunch of books, or getting a college degree in Bible. Those can be helpful, but they aren't what's required. Instead, allow me to point you toward some attitudes that I believe are vital for understanding the Bible, because no matter the size of the library or level of learning you have, you will never understand the Bible properly without at least these three things.
1) Hunger
You will never understand what you make no effort to understand. Therefore, you must have an undying desire to understand the Bible.
Peter wrote that we ought to desire the Word of God like newborn babies desire milk that we may grow by it (1 Peter 2:2). I've seen (or more correctly, heard) few desires that are stronger than a baby's desire to be fed. The only way to satisfy or pacify a hungry baby is to feed him. Your desire for spiritual nourishment from God's Word ought to have the same intensity.
If you are having problems understanding the Bible, the first thing you must ask yourself is, "Am I really putting any effort into understanding it?" Do you really desire understanding and knowledge like you should? A ravenous hunger for the Word of God won't let you be content to remain in ignorance.
2) Humility
You will never understand what you don't admit being confused about. Pride can be a major stumbling block to greater understanding of the Bible. You must be a teachable person. Consider the wise man's words in Proverbs 15:32-33:
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.
Sometimes humility means admitting that you don't understand instead of pretending you do. Sometimes humility means admitting that you were wrong when you thought you were right. Personal pride will always be a stumbling block to greater understanding, because it tricks you into behaving like your understanding is just fine, even when deep down inside yourself you know it's not.
Don't be too proud to seek greater understanding. There's nothing virtuous about willful ignorance and scoffing at gaining more knowledge and understanding, especially when it comes to the Bible.
3) Honesty
You will never understand the Bible correctly if you aren't honest with what it says, and honest with it's evaluation of your life. To be honest means to be fair and truthful. You must be honest with yourself, and honest with what the text actually says in order to properly understand God's will for you.
Of course the opposite of honesty is deception. Who is the easiest person to deceive that you know? I'll answer this one for you—yourself. Self-deception because of dishonestly handling the Bible is a bonafide tragedy . James wrote:
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)
Paul also told Timothy to be diligent to be an approved worker of God, and one of the major ways that is done is by "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Another way of saying that might be, "properly handling the word of truth." The "word of truth" is the Bible, and it must be handled in a fair and truthful way. It cannot be used to prove your preconceived ideas, but instead its words should shape your own thoughts and actions.
Always remember that you will never properly understand the Bible so long as you handle it in a dishonest and improper way. Be fair and truthful about what the Bible says, and about yourself.
Understand the Will of the Lord
In Ephesians 5:17 Paul tells them (and us) to "understand what the will of the Lord is." That's not a suggestion, but rather a command—and would God ever command us to do something that was impossible? Understanding the "will of the Lord" is a command that every single person, regardless of education or IQ, is capable of obeying.
Are there some things that are hard to understand? Certainly there are (consider 2 Peter 3:15-16). But hard doesn't mean impossible. Just have the hunger, humility, and honesty needed to be a diligent student of God's Word, and before you know it your understanding of the Bible will have grown by leaps and bounds!
—Daniel Howell