This fifth and final study of  The Bible relates to how we relate to the Word.  Often believers will put The LORD on the “back-burner,” while tending to their lives in the flesh.  This is directly opposite of what we are commanded to do – and the very lack of Bible study – is what causes this lackadaisical attitude towards the things of God.  It has been  said of God’s Holy Book – “Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be right.”

As you study the Bible, you will discover that it does not just contain the Words of God – it IS the Word of God.  But just as importantly, the Word of God contains the WORDS of God, and also the words of demons, angels, Satan, and man – good and bad.

THE BIBLE COMMANDS THE BELIEVER TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES

As you study your Bible – ask yourself these questions –

• Who is speaking: God, demon, angel, or man? 
• Once you identify the speaker – identify who he is  speaking to  – the nation of Israel, the Gentiles, the church, men in general, or some individual or supernatural being?
• How can this Scripture apply to my life to grow me in spiritual maturity and closer to The LORD? 

God is Truth personified, and cannot lie, while Satan “is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44   Man is natural and fleshly – which makes him limited, therefore, man does not always speak the truth. 

Case in point –  let us do an observation of this passage –

MATTHEW 22:15-46

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle Him in his talk.

¹⁶ And they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that Thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man: for Thou regardest not the person of men.

¹⁷ Tell us therefore, What thinkest Thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites?

¹⁹ Shew Me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny.

²⁰ And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

²¹ They say unto Him, Caesar’s. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

²² When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left Him, and went their way.

²³ The same day came to Him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked Him,

²⁴ Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

²⁵ Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

²⁶ Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

²⁷ And last of all the woman died also.

²⁸ Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

²⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

³⁰ For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

³¹ But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

³² I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

³³ And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine.

³⁴ But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

³⁵ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying,

³⁶ Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.

³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

⁴¹ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

⁴² Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is He? They say unto Him, The son of David.

⁴³ He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying,

⁴⁴ The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on my right hand, till I make Thine enemies thy footstool?

⁴⁵ If David then call him Lord, how is He his Son?

⁴⁶ And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions.

In this particular passage, we have the words of Jesus, the words of the Pharisees, the Herodians, and the Sadducees.  The Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees were all trying to trick The LORD into trapping Himself in His own teachings – for one reason.  They were looking for some way to accuse Him of breaking God’s law.  Everything that came out of their mouths, was with 100% evil intent.  The whole episode reveals the thinking of the natural man, at the same time, revealing the thinking of God, through the Words of Jesus Christ. 

The failure of Bible students to divide the identities of the speakers and their  audience correctly, has even given rise to entire sects and cults.  This is how Replacement Theologists operate, by inserting the church into dialog taking place between The LORD and Israel. 

2 TIMOTHY 2:15                

King James Version (KJV)

 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.