Understand God’s Word
by Annie Yorty
Have you ever talked to someone about making Jesus the Lord of their life, and they responded with something like this? “Nah, that sounds like it would keep me from doing what I want. I need to be free.” A person with this mindset holds a fundamental misunderstanding of God’s character. In the second of our “Free To” series, let’s consider how Christ frees us from darkness and frees us to understand God’s Word.
Darkened Minds
On one occasion when I was in Siberia, I met with a group of about fifty teachers who spoke English in addition to Russian. They had read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, and we planned to discuss its meaning.
I asked the teachers what they thought each of the characters represented. The vast majority guessed incorrectly. A few teachers, however, were Christians who had the light of understanding powered by God’s Spirit. They could see the allegory weaves the gospel message throughout the characters and plot.
Free from Darkness
Like the person who believes the Bible is a list of restrictive rules created by a killjoy god, most of the Russian teachers had no conception of the true God of the Bible. Their hearts and minds languished in a prison of darkness. But Jesus came to disperse darkness with the pure light of Truth.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)
Jesus removes the blinders of sin from the mind and heart of anyone who will receive Him.
Free to Understand God’s Word
With the blinders gone, we become free to understand the Word. But what is the Word? The book of John says Jesus is the Word that became human (John 1:1). We also refer to the Bible as the Word because from beginning to end, it reveals the Lord Jesus Christ—the Word.
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT)
Jesus enlightens our minds to understand the Bible–and Himself.
Christ frees us from darkness so we can understand God’s Word. Click To TweetStudy God’s Word to Understand
Sometimes we try to read the Bible in the dark, without the power of Jesus, the light source. It’s hard to understand that way. If you haven’t received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, read more at Steps to Peace with God. That’s the beginning of enlightenment.
Once we have salvation through Christ, He gives His Spirit to teach us about Himself through the Bible. When we study under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, the Word comes to life. We receive wisdom from the ancient text that applies to our modern lives today.
Three Steps to Help You Understand God’s Word
- Prayerfully read the Bible to gain insight.
We often open the Bible and employ our own human reasoning, experiences, and wisdom to God’s Word. We receive much more when we pause and ask God for the ability to perceive His message, pure and undiluted by any worldly influence we may add.
When we pray this psalm before each reading, we can expect to receive the light of understanding from Him.
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. (Psalm 119:18 NLT)
- Listen for the direction of the Spirit.
God wants to be up close and personal with us. Better than any GPS humans can devise, His Spirit guides step by step. Sometimes we reject this approach because we prefer to see the entire route calculation, but His direction always beats our own intuition.
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 NLT)
- Commit to obey.
I know obedience is easier said than done. But we can ask God to firm up our resolve to do what His Word tells us to do. I’ve also learned that as I grow closer to God through His Word, my desire to please him with obedience increases.
Best news of all—the Holy Spirit empowers us to follow through on our commitment to obey.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. (James 1:22 NLT)
Walk in Understanding God’s Word
When Jesus freed us from the darkness of sin, He freed us to understand His Word—and Himself. Have you reveled in this freedom by making the Bible your daily Light? I pray you live in the glorious light of Jesus Christ as you understand God’s Word.
Join the conversation:
How do you keep the light of God’s Word burning brightly each day?
I welcome your comments!
Copyright ©2023 Annie Yorty
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10 Comments
Leigh DeLozier
What a gift it is to have God’s Word and the freedom to read it. What an even greater gift it is to have His help in understanding it!
Other than my own devotional and Bible reading time, one way I keep the light of God’s Word burning for me each day is to follow friends like you on social media. Y’all help fill my inbox and feeds with the kinds of things I want (and need) to fill my mind with and help me stay focused on what really matters. 🙂
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Leigh, for visiting and adding a great idea to the conversation. I learn so much from the perspective of others. God’s Spirit within each of us brings our understanding under His authority. I praise Him for sisters in Christ like you!
Nancy E Head
God calls us to read and hear His Word, to use discernment and seek wisdom.
A good word of wisdom here, Annie. Thanks and God bless!
Annie Yorty
Indeed, Nancy! I’m very thankful His Spirit provides the discernment we need. Blessings to you!
J.D. Wininger
We are freed indeed ma’am. While the path to understanding (the Holy Spirit) is freely given to us upon our salvation, I sometimes see Him as the “keymaster” (the one who holds the keys to understanding), we must choose to step onto the path of learning ourselves. Something many new Christians, and some of us long-time ones, fail to understand is that salvation does not take away our free will. We still must make a choice, a decision, to learn and grow in Christ. We do that first and foremost through His Word. Thank you so much for this ultra-encouraging post. This is so like you to write this article ma’am. God’s blessings.
Annie Yorty
The key is a great visual, J.D. I agree, every day we have a choice to learn and grow. The more I read His Word, the more I thirst for it. Thanks for visiting!
Katherine Pasour
Your three steps to understand God’s Word are right on target, Annie: Prayerfully read Scripture; Listen for guidance from Holy Spirit; and Commit to obey. It sounds easy, doesn’t it? But yet we need to renew those three steps on a daily basis. Thank you for your inspiring and encouraging message.
Annie Yorty
You and J.D. are in right in sync, Katherine. We must make a daily choice to read His Word and allow it to work in our lives. Thank you for visiting!
Candyce Carden
Such a helpful, well-written post. I have to think people who say they tried reading the Bible and just couldn’t sustain their reading were attempting to read it in the dark.
Annie Yorty
I so agree–the Light brings personal meaning to the Word. Thanks for your visit, Candyce.