How To Get True Results From Your Study

I have read many books about how to read the Bible. Power of observation, Greek, Hebrew, historical context, sentence structure, different translations, commentaries, etc. What I have found though, is that sometimes the things that are supposed to help turn out to be the very things that get in the way!

“God can teach you more in one moment by his Holy Spirit than you could learn from the great men of the earth.” RH Feb. 18, 1890 par.23

The question is, does the Holy Spirit work randomly, helping some, but not others? Or does He work, employing principles and rules, so that anyone can learn. And, concerning those principles and rules, does He just leave us to guess what they are, hoping to someday get it right?

One of the early lessons I learned was that, yes, it does matter how I study. But the lesson I really learned was that it matters even more as to how I come to the study of the Bible. There is a major difference between the two! The method is one thing, obviously very important, but it is the way you approach the study, BEFORE you even attempt to employ the method. That is what counts. Any method, even a correct one, can simply become a formality if we are not careful.

The frame of mind we bring to the study is of greater importance than the method we use to study.

“If we would not have the Scriptures clouded to our understanding, so that the plainest truths shall not be comprehended, we must have the simplicity and faith of a little child, ready to learn, and beseeching the aid of the Holy Spirit. A sense of the power and wisdom of God, and of our inability to comprehend His greatness, should inspire us with humility, and we should open His word, as we would enter His presence, with holy awe. When we come to the Bible, reason must acknowledge an authority superior to itself, and heart and intellect must bow to the great I AM.”  {5T 703.3}

Before I begin to study, or even open my Bible, I kneel in prayer asking for three things: For the aid and presence of the Holy Spirit, for the aid and presence of holy angels, and to reveal to me anything that is not right in my life that would prevent God from answering my prayer.

As I have mentioned before, it is our privilege as Adventists to understand the office and work of the Holy Spirit. We do not have to blindly pray, hoping somehow to get enough of the ‘Spirit’ in order to understand what we are studying. One thing we must understand is that the Holy Spirit is just as much God, as is God the Father, and Jesus Christ. In other words, it is an intelligent, personal Being that comes to us in response to our request.

Having said that, what can we honestly expect as a response to our request from this Heavenly Being?

“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8

So, he is responsible for three things: conviction of sin, instruction in righteousness, and preparation for judgment.

The Bible goes on to say how he does that,

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…”  John 16:13

E.G. White, commenting on this, brings out a very important principle:

“The Comforter is called “the Spirit of truth.” His work is to define and maintain the truth.” DA 671.1

So if we are praying for the Holy Spirit in His role as the ‘Spirit of truth,’ asking for him to define the truth for us, and then to maintain the truth, we can be assured that He is also able to settle us into those truths so we cannot be moved.

“Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads–it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved–just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already.”–Ms173-1902.25.  {LDE 219.4}

There are two things that will stop the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives: known sin, and neglect of known duty.

When I find myself in a position where something doesn’t seem right, and my studies are not going well, I turn to the book of Job and the Psalms.

“I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.” Job 10:2

“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.” Psalms 19:12

When you honestly ask God to show you what the issue is, using His own words to ask the question, be very sure that He will answer that prayer. Remember, He invites us to come and reason with Him.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

When we pray it is most helpful to know what we are praying for! In our blogs and sermons, we’ll be exploring in much greater detail how the Holy Spirit works, and how we can be sure that He is personally working in our lives. No vague ideas, no guessing, but understanding for a fact that God is actually teaching and preparing us for translation. The actual, genuine article of righteousness by faith.

The Ministration of Angels

“Heavenly beings are appointed to answer the prayers of those who are working unselfishly for the interests of the cause of God. The very highest angels in the heavenly courts are appointed to work out the prayers which ascend to God for the advancement of the cause of God. Each angel has his particular post of duty, which he is not permitted to leave for any other place. If he should leave, the powers of darkness would gain an advantage.” {11MR 103.2}

“Over every man good and evil angels strive. It is the man himself who determines which shall win. I call upon the ministers of Christ to press home upon the understanding of all who come within the reach of their voice, the truth of the ministration of angels. Do not indulge in fanciful speculations. The written Word is our only safety. We must pray as did Daniel, that we may be guarded by heavenly intelligences. As ministering spirits angels are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Pray, my brethren, pray as you have never prayed before. We are not prepared for the Lord’s coming. We need to make thorough work for eternity.”–Letter 201, 1899.  {11MR 104.3}

Finally, while I’m praying, I also apply several Bible promises and portions of Scripture that God has given to help us in our studies.

“Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.” Psalms 119:169

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

“He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.” Psalms 102:17

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruptions that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

These are but a few of the many promises contained in the Bible, and we’ll be adding more as we go.

This page is dedicated to how it is that we prepare ourselves to enter into the study of the Bible. Your thoughts and comments are welcome and would be greatly appreciated! We would like to hear what is working for you, in particular what Bible and Spirit of Prophecy promises and quotes that hold a special place in your study.