Bible Study and the Mind
75
to comprehend important truths, it will after a time almost lose the
power of growth.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:24
(1882).
Accept It With Simple Faith—God desires man to exercise his
reasoning powers, and the study of the Bible will strengthen and
elevate the mind as no other study can do. It is the best mental as
well as spiritual exercise for the human mind. Yet we are to beware
of deifying reason, which is subject to the weakness and infirmity of
humanity.
If we would not have the Scriptures clouded to our understanding
so that the plainest truths shall not be comprehended, we must have
the simplicity and faith of a little child, ready to learn and beseeching
the aid of the Holy Spirit. A sense of the power and wisdom of God
[92]
and of our inability to comprehend His greatness, should inspire us
with humility, and we should open His Word, as we would enter His
presence, with holy awe. When we come to the Bible, reason must
acknowledge an authority superior to itself, and heart and intellect
must bow to the great I AM.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:703,
704
(1889).
Nothing to Be Studied That Clouds God’s Word—Jesus Christ
is our spiritual touchstone. He reveals the Father. Nothing should be
given as food to the brain that will bring before the mind any mist or
cloud in regard to the Word of God. No careless inattention should be
shown in regard to the cultivation of the soil of the heart. The mind
must be prepared to appreciate the work and words of Christ, for He
came from heaven to waken a desire and to give the bread of life to all
who hunger for spiritual knowledge.—
Manuscript 15, 1898.
Scriptures Recognize Man’s Moral Choice—When we search
the Word of God, angels are by our side, reflecting bright beams of light
upon its sacred pages. The Scriptures appeal to man as having power
to choose between right and wrong; they speak to him in warning, in
reproof, in entreaty, in encouragement. The mind must be exercised
on the solemn truths of God’s Word, or it will grow weak.... We must
examine for ourselves and learn the reasons of our faith by comparing
scripture with scripture. Take the Bible, and on your knees plead with
God to enlighten your mind.—
The Review and Herald, March 4, 1884
.
Minds Find Noblest Development—If the Bible were studied
as it should be, men would become strong in intellect. The subjects
treated upon in the Word of God, the dignified simplicity of its utter-