HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND ENJOY IT (10 views) Subscribe   
   From:  Wings47   5/25/2003 8:25 am  
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THREE NECESSARY CONDITIONS OF THE HEART 
Application begins with our willingness to respond to what we read. We must be ready to submit ourselves to all-encompassing principles found in Scripture. From there, we can focus on the transforming process of applying God's specific truths to our lives. But first, our hearts must conform to three necessary conditions: 
1. WE MUST BE HIS 

The first, and most obvious, condition is that we must belong to Christ. If we find the Bible too difficult to understand or if, when we read it, it doesn't make any sense, the problem may be that our hearts have not been changed. We must be spiritually awakened before we can develop a spiritual appetite. Life always precedes growth. The apostle Paul put it this was: "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1Cor 2:14). First, we must make sure we have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. If you're not sure, then stop right now, admit that you are a sinner, and ask God to forgive you based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, and then you'll be ready to start 
fresh. 

2. WE MUST BE HUNGRY 

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Notice that Jesus promises to feed those who are truly hungry, not those looking for a casual snack. The apostle Peter later added this advice: "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you tasted that the Lord is gracious" (1Pet 2:2-3). 
A spiritual appetite is a prerequisite for spiritual feeding. If we're not hungry, we won't eat. If we're not aware of our need for God, we won't pursue Him. The Bible says that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). If our hearts are hungry, we will regard the Scriptures as precious food. Ask God for a voracious appetite for His Word. 

3. WE MUST BE HUMBLE 

One we have developed an appetite for the Word, there must be a humble willingness to obey it. The best way to approach the Bible is as an obedient servant waiting for the master to give instructions. Our willingness to put the Lord's instructions into practice show that we are in submission to Him as our Lord and Master. Studying the Bible is exciting when we are prepared to apply its truth in obedience. As God told Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make you way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Joshua 1:8). 

The following acrostic B~O~L~D, can help us remember the process of applying Scripture to our lives: 

B elieve God's declarations of truth. 
O bey His commandments. 
L earn from examples in Scripture. 
D eclare God's promises as our own. 

 
  
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