THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE Right here it is important to note the debilitating effects of a merely academic religion – one that is primarily intellectual, not spiritual. A purely academic approach to the Word of God does not require an interceding Savior or the illuminating Holy Spirit. It is an approach that relies on man's natural resources. It ought to be apparent to every believer that such an approach is strictly forbidden by God. There simply is not facet of salvation that does not reserve the preeminent place for the Lord Jesus and His working. Such an approach is that of "the natural man," or "the man without the Spirit" (NIV). -- Tomorrow:
"But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor 3:15-18, KJV)
Devotion 10 of 33
It is written of the "natural man," "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14). That is an unalterable condition. There is no possibility that "the natural man" can be made better. It is essential that there be a "new man" – a "new creation" wrought by the hand of God (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15).
When the text of Scripture is approached like any other piece of reading – with a dictionary and lexicon in hand, and aided by references on cultural considerations, it has a dampening effect upon the soul. Surely every devout student of Scripture has noted the impact of this approach. It tends to elevate human wisdom, and take the power out of the text. In such approaches, men are turning to their peers, and not to God. It is not that student helps are wrong or sinful, and no one ought to entertain that notion. Rather, it is that these things are nothing more than helps – they are not, nor can they ever be, keys that unlock the meaning of God's Word.
I have observed that those who elevate the original language, human history, logic, and cultural customs, generally have little understanding of the thrust and ministry of Scripture. They tend to get caught up in things of small consequence, and are not noted for "spiritual understanding" (Col 1:9). Their words tend more to trivia than substance. All of these "helps" can be of measured benefit when they are sanctified by faith – but only so. They can never remove the veil that is over the human heart, nor can they open the eyes of the understanding. When the significance, intent, and thrust of Scripture are seen, such things can be used with profit. However, they will not be an end of themselves, but will always give place to the Lord Himself.
SEE THE BIBLE CORRECTLY
Seeing the Bible correctly is NOT having a precise understanding of every text, although that is certainly something to be coveted. I am speaking of perceiving the purpose for Scripture, the One of whom it testifies, and the absolute necessity of Him. As long as the Bible is seen as a rule book, the veil will NOT be lifted from the heart, and people will remain in a state of spiritual ignorance. If people insist on using the Word of God to buttress their sectarian dogmas, they will remain spiritually blind, because a veil is over their heart. God will not allow a person to know His Word who fails to see His Son in it. It makes no difference how learned the individual may be, or how diligent they are in their study habits. Those are not the things that cause the veil to be removed!
HE EXPERIENCE OF DAVID
However, when the Lord Himself is seen in the Scriptures – the Lord who is in quest of the person, and who has something of eternal value to give the one seeking Him – the heart is awakened, and the direction of life is altered. If it is a person like David, after he has read and ingested the Scriptures, he will plead, "Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths" (Psa 25:4). Although David never had the experience of those who are in Christ Jesus, God did give Him to see more than his peers. It was because David was turned to Him, seeking to know Him and understand what He had said. Such a turning sets the tone of spiritual life, enabling spiritual understanding. It is the vestibule of profitable life.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for spiritual understanding, which no man can give, or take from those who do possess it.