The Bible cannot be fully understood without God’s Holy Spirit

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
R

Runningman

Banned
#1
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#1
At one point I thought anyone could understand the Bible, but the longer I am around Christians I realize that those who (allegedly, but only God knows) have the Holy Spirit don’t necessarily want to listen or know how to listen to Him.

The Bible isn’t a normal book. Yes some of the surface information can be understood by just reading the words on the pages, but if someone can’t or won’t listen to the Holy Spirit then they’ll never really be able to understand most of the Bible with any depth of understanding.

I know many people have probably heard this a million times and think they’re under some sort of blessing that makes them automatically understand the Bible, but with over 45,000 denominations and countless cults, that just isn’t the case.

Christians must choose to listen to the Holy Spirit everyday, but there are so many reasons why they don’t.

Today, if you’ll hear His voice, listen to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit will guide you, or try rather, but if you won’t follow and won’t listen to your Guide’s directions then you won’t be guided anywhere except by yourself or other influences.

John 16:23 LEB
But when he—the Spirit of truth—comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come.
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#3
Apr 21, 2021
8,432
3,684
113
#3
Runningman said:
The Bible isn’t a normal book. Yes some of the surface information can be understood by just reading the words on the pages, but if someone can’t or won’t listen to the Holy Spirit then they’ll never really be able to understand most of the Bible with any depth of understanding.
Click to expand...
We don't have to understand in depth. That's pat of the problem: everyone thinks they have to have a deeper understanding than everyone else. We only need to understand a few things and then put them into practice.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Mark 10:15
 
J

Jesusfollower

Active member
#4
Oct 21, 2021
352
197
43
jamaica
#4
ResidentAlien said:
We don't have to understand in depth. That's pat of the problem: everyone thinks they have to have a deeper understanding than everyone else. We only need to understand a few things and then put them into practice.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Mark 10:15
Click to expand...
I respectfully disagree, to do something well you need to understand what you do, the more you understand the more you excel'

Imagine a surgeon with only basic knowledge operating on you....

Blessings,

JF
 
D

Dirtman

Well-known member
#5
Jul 19, 2022
1,151
441
83
#5
The thing is; when you love God you want to learn and know all there is to know. So ya read, study, listen to scholars, and discuss with others who also love God. The learning becomes a passion.
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#6
Apr 21, 2021
8,432
3,684
113
#6
Jesusfollower said:
I respectfully disagree, to do something well you need to understand what you do, the more you understand the more you excel'

Imagine a surgeon with only basic knowledge operating on you....

Blessings,

JF
Click to expand...
I guess my only question would be: Why didn't the Lord say, "Unless you acquire a deep philosophical understanding in theology you can't enter the Kingdom?"


I agree we need the Spirit, but we don't need a super-deep understanding of the Bible to please Him. We just need to trust and obey.
 
Snacks

Snacks

Well-known member
#7
Feb 10, 2022
1,410
771
113
#7
Embracing God’s love and grace in a simplistic manner works best for me. And I do so with the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. 🙏
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#8
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#8
Jesusfollower said:
So smart and true what you wrote, many people who think they understand in fact, do not.

Blessings,

JF
Click to expand...
Thank you. It just dawned on me one day while I was talking to someone. Suddenly I realized they honestly, genuinely, and sincerely could not understand the Bible despite being intellectually honest and educated.

After that moment I knew we need the Holy Spirit to guide us and we need to listen.
 
JillianMarie

JillianMarie

Active member
#9
Apr 19, 2022
115
187
43
#9
Runningman said:
Thank you. It just dawned on me one day while I was talking to someone. Suddenly I realized they honestly, genuinely, and sincerely could not understand the Bible despite being intellectually honest and educated.

After that moment I knew we need the Holy Spirit to guide us and we need to listen.
Click to expand...
ok yes that is awesome to read that
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#10
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#10
ResidentAlien said:
We don't have to understand in depth. That's pat of the problem: everyone thinks they have to have a deeper understanding than everyone else. We only need to understand a few things and then put them into practice.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Mark 10:15
Click to expand...
It seems like Jesus said and did lot of things and encouraged us to know about them, but what are the few things that are necessary to understand and practice?

Matthew 7:24
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

John 21:25
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did, which—if they were written down one after the other—I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#11
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#11
Dirtman said:
The thing is; when you love God you want to learn and know all there is to know. So ya read, study, listen to scholars, and discuss with others who also love God. The learning becomes a passion.
Click to expand...
I agree and that’s what I believe too. There’s a lot of information in the Bible and I think it should all be known. I can’t think of a good reason to tell someone it’s not necessary to understand the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:15-17
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#12
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#12
ResidentAlien said:
I guess my only question would be: Why didn't the Lord say, "Unless you acquire a deep philosophical understanding in theology you can't enter the Kingdom?"


I agree we need the Spirit, but we don't need a super-deep understanding of the Bible to please Him. We just need to trust and obey.
Click to expand...
I agree we don’t need a super-deep understanding of the Bible to go to heaven, that isn’t my point. I think we should encourage others to know the Bible because it’s a requirement.

would you say Jesus is our example of how to be? I’m sure He knew the Old Testament scriptures from beginning to end. Weren’t Paul, Peter, and John well-versed in theology? Should we imitate them in this regard?
 
FEMIN

FEMIN

New member
#13
Jul 21, 2022
17
4
3
#13
Runningman said:
At one point I thought anyone could understand the Bible, but the longer I am around Christians I realize that those who (allegedly, but only God knows) have the Holy Spirit don’t necessarily want to listen or know how to listen to Him.

The Bible isn’t a normal book. Yes some of the surface information can be understood by just reading the words on the pages, but if someone can’t or won’t listen to the Holy Spirit then they’ll never really be able to understand most of the Bible with any depth of understanding.

I know many people have probably heard this a million times and think they’re under some sort of blessing that makes them automatically understand the Bible, but with over 45,000 denominations and countless cults, that just isn’t the case.

Christians must choose to listen to the Holy Spirit everyday, but there are so many reasons why they don’t.

Today, if you’ll hear His voice, listen to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit will guide you, or try rather, but if you won’t follow and won’t listen to your Guide’s directions then you won’t be guided anywhere except by yourself or other influences.

John 16:23 LEB
But when he—the Spirit of truth—comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come.
Click to expand...
Hello sir
Sir how can I get the holy spirit? I wanna hear him too.
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#14
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#14
FEMIN said:
Hello sir
Sir how can I get the holy spirit? I wanna hear him too.
Click to expand...
Hello ma’am,

That’s a great question and the Bible says many things about this. If I may ask you some questions, maybe we can make a determination.

Have you told your sins to God?

Do you truly believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins, that He remained buried three days, then God brought Him back to life?

Have you been water baptized?
 
FEMIN

FEMIN

New member
#15
Jul 21, 2022
17
4
3
#15
Yes, but I have sinned again
Yes I do completely
Yes, I think so I'm actually a Catholic
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#16
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#16
FEMIN said:
Yes, but I have sinned again
Yes I do completely
Yes, I think so I'm actually a Catholic
Click to expand...
Amen that’s great. If you sin again just confess to God again and try to not repeat the same mistake.

I believe you do have the Holy Spirit. I don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t.

Jesus also said that we can ask for the Holy Spirit. So I think you should also ask God to send His Holy Spirit to you.l if you haven’t before.


Luke 11:13
Therefore if you, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#17
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#17
FEMIN said:
Yes, but I have sinned again
Yes I do completely
Yes, I think so I'm actually a Catholic
Click to expand...
Were you sprinkled with water or did you go into a pool and they dunked you underwater for your baptism?
 
FEMIN

FEMIN

New member
#18
Jul 21, 2022
17
4
3
#18
They sprinkled with water
 
FEMIN

FEMIN

New member
#19
Jul 21, 2022
17
4
3
#19
ok sir
But how will I ask him? I mean should I ask him in my daily prayers or should ask him separately?
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#20
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#20
FEMIN said:
ok sir
But how will I ask him? I mean should I ask him in my daily prayers or should ask him separately?
Click to expand...
You can confess sin to God and ask for forgiveness immediately upon sinning. Tell Him exactly what you did wrong and be specific. Don’t be embarrassed with God, He loves honesty even if it’s ugly.

You can talk like this for example.

“Dear Father in heaven, I want to confess my sin to You. I see I have made a terrible mistake and I will try to not do it again. Please help me not to want to sin. Thank You for the forgiveness you’ve given me through Christ’s sacrifice. Praise and glory to You God. I love You forever!. In Jesus’s name. Amen.”
 
You must log in or register to reply here.