Mysteries of the Bible a Proof of its Inspiration
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Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall be continually
liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret them. There is much
reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases is a
positive injury. When the word of God is opened without reverence
and without prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed
upon God or in harmony with His will, the mind is clouded with doubt;
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and in the very study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy
takes control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that are
not correct.
Whenever men are not seeking, in word and deed, to be in harmony
with God, then, however learned they may be, they are liable to err
in their understanding of Scripture, and it is not safe to trust to their
explanations. When we are truly seeking to do God’s will, the Holy
Spirit takes the precepts of His word and makes them the principles of
the life, writing them on the tablets of the soul. And it is only those
who are following the light already given that can hope to receive the
further illumination of the Spirit. This is plainly stated in the words of
Christ: “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.”
Those who look to the Scriptures to find discrepancies have not
spiritual insight. With distorted vision they will see many causes for
doubt and unbelief in things that are really plain and simple. But to
those who take God’s word with reverence, seeking to learn His will
that they may obey it, all is changed. They are filled with awe and
wonder as they contemplate the purity and exalted excellence of the
truths revealed. Like attracts like. Like appreciates like. Holiness
allies itself with holiness, faith with faith. To the humble heart and the
sincere, inquiring mind the Bible is full of light and knowledge. Those
who come to the Scriptures in this spirit are brought into fellowship
with prophets and apostles. Their spirit assimilates to that of Christ,
and they long to become one with Him.
Many feel that a responsibility rests upon them to explain every
seeming difficulty in the Bible in order to meet the cavils of skeptics
and infidels. But in trying to explain that which they but imperfectly
understand, they are in danger of confusing the minds of others in
reference to points that are clear and easy to be understood. This is not
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our work. Nor should we lament that these difficulties exist, but accept
them as permitted by the wisdom of God. It is our duty to receive His
word, which is plain on every point essential to the salvation of the