TAKE SIDES NOT AGAINST THE WORD
16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS,
17 that THE MAN OF GOD may be complete, thoroughly EQUIPPED for every GOOD WORK.”
2 Timothy 3:16,17 (NKJV)
Some people read the Word of God, the Bible, or listen to it, with the perspective of argument—they read the Bible to argue their points out.
If you read the Bible, listen to messages preached with such a perspective or mindset, you may not be able to receive the message which God intended to pass across to you.
Read the Bible with an open heart, a heart to learn. Ask the Holy Spirit to tutor you: “BUT THE HELPER [comforter], THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, HE WILL TEACH ALL THINGS, AND BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE ALL THINGS THAT I SAID TO YOU” (John 14:26 NKJV).
There are some who question the authenticity and accuracy of the Bible (2 Peter 1:20,21). They challenge those who canonised the Bible:
• They wanted to know who appointed them.
• What were the criteria; the standards or principles, by which the books of the Bible are judged for canonisation.
• They disputed the authority of the Bible; they said, ‘The Bible is adulterated and corrupted.’
If you have these kinds of mentalities, mindsets, you will not be able to receive what God has for you in His Word.
Do not take sides against the Word of God. Read the Word, the Bible, with an open heart; the heart to know the truth, heart to receive from God: “AND YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE” (John 8:32 NKJV).
It is the knowledge of the truth that makes free, that is, the knowledge you put to work or practice or do (James 1:22-25).
The truth you disagree with cannot make you free. Thus, do not read the Bible to argue your point out, but rather, read it to know more of God: “BUT AVOID FOOLISH DISPUTE, GENEALOGIES, CONTENTIONS, AND STRIVINGS ABOUT THE LAW; THEY ARE UNPROFITABLE AND USELESS” (Titus 3:9 NKJV).
READ: 1 Corinthians 10:6-12
Some even study the Bible in Hebrew and Greek for the purpose of argument, to argue their points out: “WE KNOW THAT WE ALL HAVE KNOWLEDGE. KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP [makes arrogant], BUT LOVE EDIFIES [builds up]" (1 Corinthians 8:1 NKJV).
The knowledge you have acquired or gathered should be used to edify the body of Christ, to minister to other people and cause them to be established in the faith (Luke 13:7).
A believer should not be a fruitless tree, but a fruitful one:
1 “I AM THE TRUE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE VINE DRESSER: 2 EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT HE TAKES AWAY; AND EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARS FRUIT HE PRUNES, THAT IT MAY BEAR MORE FRUIT. 16 YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU THAT YOU SHOULD GO AND BEAR MORE FRUIT, AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN; THAT WHATEVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME HE MAY GIVE YOU" (John 15:1,2,16 NKJV).
If your knowledge is mainly for argument; not to build other people up, that is, the church of Christ; such knowledge is not a productive or fruitful knowledge—it should be discarded: “FOR I SAY TO YOU, THAT UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEEDS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, YOU WILL BY NO MEANS ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN" (Matthew 5:20 NKJV).
You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!