It is possible to twist the scriptures, particularly those portions which are harder to understand, to one’s own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). Satan misuses scripture to cloud the thinking of those he wishes to lead astray (Matthew 4:6), and he certainly has not gone out of business in the information age. We have so much information available to us nowadays, but much of it is bad information. When we fail to study for ourselves, but, instead, swallow whole what purported experts have to say, we make ourselves more susceptible to false teachers.

False teachers sometimes attempt to drag their objectors into deeper water so they can drown them in false doctrine. One example of this is the misuse of the original languages in which the Bible was written: Hebrew, Aramaic (in which only some very small portions of the Bible were written), and Greek. It is sad when those who are unlearned in the original languages concede to false teaching just because they believe going to the Hebrew or the Greek ultimately settles the matter. Thankfully, we have defenders of truth that are able to swim in these deeper waters of original languages and expose the falsehood. It is so good to have sound scholars in these original languages to consult from time to time.

Not every Christian needs to be a scholar in Hebrew and Greek to remain faithful to God. However, there is at least one principle in regard to consulting the original languages of the Bible of which every member of the church should be aware. It is context. How a word fits into the sentence in which it is used, as well as the paragraph, the book, and the overall teaching of the Bible is tremendously important. The chief component in deciding a meaning of a word is to see how it is used in its context. Though lexicons and other language tools can help us understand the origin and root meaning of word and its essential idea, Hebrew and Greek words are just like English words in the sense that their meaning depends on the context in which they are used. So if someone cites an original language in the Bible passage you are studying and gives you some grammatical rules that you don’t understand because you have never studied them, remember to consider if what they are saying will fit into the context of the passage at hand. Hebrew and Greek lexicographers and grammarians are too often looked to as the ultimate authority when in reality they too must consider the context and do some interpretation in arriving at the meaning of a word.

Do not be overwhelmed by the use of languages unknown to you. Though they are a benefit to those who take the time to learn them, you can know what the Bible says by consulting some reliable English translations and remembering to consider the context.

–Mark Day

Paul reminded the Corinthians, who were arrogant in spite of their many spiritual flaws, to examine themselves. In regard to the manner of observing the Lord’s Supper, Paul said, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” In regard to the manner in which we approach the Lord in worship we should examine our motives and actions. Later, in 2 Corinthians, after responding to their scrutiny of him, Paul bids them to take a taste of their own medicine by saying, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” The Corinthians, like all Christians, needed to do a spiritual inventory to make sure they had enough of the proper faith.
If we are honest with ourselves, we will recognize our shortcomings and see the need for improvements in our Christian lives. In our prayers, we should be like the apostles who on one occasion called on the Lord to increase their faith (Luke 17:5). Like the father of the demoniac who cried out with tears, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24), we also have a part of us that believes and a part of us that doubts. We must increase that part which believes.
How do we increase our faith? By imbibing of the word of God. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” At the Jerusalem conference, Peter mentioned the conversion of the first Gentiles by saying, “Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe” (Acts 15:7). The word of the gospel is how faith comes and how it increases. We must take time to read and meditate upon God’s word so that we have sufficient faith (Psalm 1:1-3; 119:97; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15).
Times will come in our lives when our faith is tested. It will either become firmer or fail. When the apostles were out on the sea caught in a terrible storm they feared; Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25). When it comes to the storms of life, where is your faith? Will you have fortified your faith enough to remain true to God even in dark days? James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” If our faith passes the test, then we can be assured that God will carry us through to the heavenly goal. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Ask yourself these questions about your faith:
Where is my faith?
Is my faith stronger now than when I obeyed the gospel?
Am I more active in the work of the Lord now than one, five, or ten years ago?
Do I visit the sick?
Do I have personal Bible studies with others?
How much time a week, beside that spent in regular church services, do I take to spend time in prayer and Bible study alone and with my family?

-Mark Day