The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have a Bible Edge
Colossians 1:9
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Today’s verse is the beginning of a sentence that continues for eight more verses. Needless to say, it is rich. It touches all the bases, creation, darkness and light, redemption through Christ’s blood, power, even giving the answer to why all things were created. To understand the truths communicated in this one sentence there must be spiritual understanding. Paul, who wrote these words, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, begins by stating his prayer requests to God on behalf of his audience. One of those requests was “spiritual understanding.” Upon consideration this highlights an overlooked truth.
A person, any person, can have a preacher give them spiritual truth. The Holy Spirit can give them the faith to understand the spiritual truths given them. The preacher, pastor, or teacher may even pray that God would give those who hear, spiritual understanding. But the listener, the receiver, the one being taught must do their part. They must give themselves to the purpose of understanding spiritual truths. Spiritual understanding is vital to living a spiritual life.
Spiritual understanding. How is that obtained?
Firstly, by studying the Bible, God’s Holy Word. In it we are told about things in both the natural world and the spiritual world. The spiritual world is that invisible kingdom hidden from the natural eye.
Secondly by prayer. Having a lively, vibrant, consistent, and ever-growing prayer life aides in spiritual understanding. How? By seeing prayers answered. Let’s say a person submits a specific prayer request to our Heavenly Father. Something that only He can do. Then it happens, just like they prayed it would. This gives the one praying boldness in prayer by understanding that God moves in the unseen world to affect things in this life. The prayer warrior comes to have confidence that God hears prayers and works behind the scenes to make things happen or keep them from happening. By the way, boldness in prayer is not based upon the boldness of saying the words in prayer, it is based on having the boldness to believe that God can answer the prayer! Also, by the way, a second time. If God does not answer the prayer, that is an answer to prayer. He just said no. He reserves that prerogative.
Thirdly, by godly counsel. So many today see this as a wholly non-important need in life. But the Bible proves otherwise. Why does God call pastors? To give their flock spiritual truths, which in many cases need follow up with personal guidance to obtain spiritual understanding concerning individual circumstances and issues. Your pastor is your very best source of gaining spiritual understanding.
These are a start. Only one big one remains and that is the circumstances wherein the Holy Ghost works His spiritual work. Proverbs 4:7 states: Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. This includes spiritual understanding. Getting such is an edge, a Bible edge for life.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
Comments