10 Tips For Understanding The Bible

Every Christian needs to study the Bible for themselves. We cannot simply rely on others for our spiritual safety. The Bible warns that false doctrines (untrue teachings) will arise and find followers.

Unfortunately, we cannot always trust preachers or church leaders to protect us from error. Sometimes, teachers and even elders can go astray and lead others with them:

• Preachers can introduce wrong ideas (2 Timothy 3:1-9; 2 Timothy 4:2-4).
• Elders, who are called to protect the flock, can sometimes turn away from the truth (Acts 20:28-31).

The only remedy for religious error is the truth. Some people will believe lies because they do not love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

To stay grounded, we must hold firmly to the Scriptures.

• Paul urged Timothy to rely on the Bible to fight false teachings (2 Timothy 3:13-17).
• He warned that following false teachers requires turning our ears away from the truth (2 Timothy 4:4).
• Even when leaders fail, God promises to protect and build up those who commit themselves to His Word (Acts 20:32).

Ingesting the Antidote

Truth is the antidote (medicine that fights poison) to error.

If you are poisoned, an antidote does you no good if it stays in the bottle. You must actually take it.

Similarly, if we do not read and digest God’s Word, we will have no defense when false teachings come our way.

To make the truth a part of our lives, we must read and meditate (think deeply) on Scripture daily. Daily Bible study does more than protect us from error; it enriches every part of our lives. It helps us:

• Grow closer to God.
• Learn how to live with integrity.
• Become better spouses, parents, and friends.
• Keep our hope of heaven clear and bright.

In his letter to the young preacher Timothy, Paul outlined three core areas of study:

…give attention to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. — 1 Timothy 4:13

Let’s break down what these three areas mean for us today.

1. Reading

We must spend time reading the Bible to learn its historical accounts and get comfortable with its overall message. Reading helps us see how the entire Bible story fits together.

This is especially important for new Christians. Often, a simple daily reading will spark a question that leads to a much deeper study.

2. Exhortation

Exhortation means encouragement. We can use the comfort and hope we find in Scripture to encourage others (2 Corinthians 1:4).

When reading, pay attention to:

• Bible characters who stayed faithful through terrible suffering.
• Warnings from bad examples, so we can avoid making the same mistakes.
• The writings of the apostles, which motivate us to stay busy in God’s work.
• The life of Jesus, which reminds us of His incredible love and promises.

3. Doctrine

Doctrine simply means teaching. True Christian doctrine comes only from God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16).

Studying doctrine requires more mental effort than simple reading. We must look at what the whole Bible says about a topic and draw logical conclusions. We need to know why we worship and live the way we do, rather than just copying what others do.

10 Practical Tips for Bible Study

Here are ten simple principles to help you study the Bible accurately:

1. Pray for wisdom: Ask God to help you understand His Word as you read (James 1:5).
2. Be diligent: Putting effort into study helps you handle the word of truth correctly (2 Timothy 2:15).
3. Be patient: Some passages are difficult to grasp and take time to fully understand (2 Peter 3:16).
4. Be logical: God’s Word is reasonable and logical. Do not throw away your critical thinking (Acts 26:25).
5. Use common sense: The Bible was written in the common language of the day, not in a secret code (Ephesians 5:17; 1 John 5:20).
6. Keep it simple: Look for the plain, direct meaning of the text. Do not search for hidden, mystical messages.
7. Read in context: Words only make sense within their surrounding paragraphs. Do not pull single verses out of context to prove a point.
8. Consider the history: Remember that the Bible was written to real people in history. Understanding their culture helps clarify the meaning.
9. Handle symbols wisely: Authors often use metaphors (word pictures) and similes. Do not take symbolic language literally or twist its meaning.
10. Let Scripture interpret Scripture: This is the most important rule. Use clear, easy-to-understand passages to help explain difficult ones.