My walk with Jesus changed significantly once I understood what I believed about the Bible. If it were only a source of guidelines, interesting stories, or good advice, I’d just try to extract what I needed in that moment. However if it is truly the complete, perfect, supernaturally inspired Word of God, then it’s not for me to take what I want, but for the Word to teach me what I need from it.
When I grasp that truth, everything about my intention and attitude towards Scripture changes. It helps us balance approaching the Bible with genuine curiosity while also maintaing deep trust in God that each word has been placed there purposefully by Him.
Like Paul, we can let the Word be the starting place for our thoughts, understanding, worldview, and how we reason with others. As I allow the Bible to speak to me first, teaching and correcting me first, it becomes life-giving for me and much easier to explain to others.
We can trust God’s Word to do it’s work in us to build a sturdy foundation of faith and transform us into His image — not in the way that we see fit, but in the way that He does.