Just as it is necessary to employ a method of study when reading the Bible, it is equally necessary to prepare our hearts and minds to enter into that study if we truly want to hear what God has to say to us.

Two Opposing Powers Will Gladly Help You Study!

In the book Early Writings pp. 55-6, Mrs. White shows us that there are two powers who love to help us study our Bible. These two powers are separate and distinct from one another and each employs a method of study that will reproduce their character in us.

“Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, “My Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace.”

“I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace.”

“The spirit in which you come to the investigation of the Scriptures will determine the character of the assistant at your side. Angels from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance. But if the Bible is opened with irreverence, with a feeling of self-sufficiency, if the heart is filled with prejudice, Satan is beside you, and he will set the plain statements of God’s word in a perverted light.”  {TM 108.1}

 

It is hard for us to comprehend two significant things. First, that God loves us in a way we cannot even conceive of. The second is the opposite fact that Satan has a hatred for us that is also beyond our ability to understand.

It all boils down to a very simple thought: It is in the Bible that we learn the true intentions of each.

So, if God has set forth rules for us as to how we study the Bible, we can be very sure that Satan has his rules as well, as he always provides a counterfeit for the genuine article. His first line of defense is to simply keep us from reading the Bible.  If however, by God’s grace we insist on reading it, his last resort is to keep us from correctly understanding what we are reading. He absolutely does not want us to discover the truth concerning God’s plan for us, as opposed to his plans.

The question for us then should be, how can we ensure that it is God who is teaching us and not Satan?  The intention here isn’t to use scare tactics, or to make the study of the Bible overly complicated. It’s okay to simply read the Bible with no method. Just read. But, we should never open our Bibles without prayer, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For a better understanding of the true work of the Holy Spirit, and how to prepare for study, please see our helps for study page.

As Adventists, it is our privilege to know and understand the office and work of the Holy Spirit, also the location and nature of Christ’s ministry in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. It is also our responsibility to take what we know and share that knowledge with those who lack understanding.

As this website grows with its blogs and sermons, the goal is to present in a clear and concise way just how all of this works, and how we can apply it to our own personal lives.