2Ti 3:14 But
continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2Ti 3:15 And
that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That
the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works
Mar 12:24 And
Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not
the scriptures, neither the power of God?
Rom 15:4 For
whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we
through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Heb 4:12 For
the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2Pe 1:19 We
have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,
as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day
star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For
the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Eph 1:17 That
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope
of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the
saints,
Eph 1:19 And
what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according
to the working of his mighty power
'An Open Mind
Besides experiencing
God’s direct revelation, we also frequently receive truth through the preaching
of the Word by other children of God. Such truth is first received in the
intellect before it reaches the
spirit. Since we
make contact with the utterances or writings of others with the mind, there is
hardly any possibility of this kind of truth reaching our life except through
the channel of the mind. An open mind is consequently of paramount importance
to spiritual life. If our brain is full of prejudice towards the truth or
towards the preacher, truth will not enter it nor will it extend to our life.
No wonder some believers derive no help—already have they decided what they
would like to read or hear.
If a Christian is
familiar with the process whereby truth is translated into life he will
perceive the significance of a mind being unimpeded. Truth is understood
initially by the mind; next it enters and stirs the spirit; and lastly, it is
manifested in practical living. A closed mind prevents truth from entering the
spirit. A closed mentality is a prejudiced one; it opposes and criticizes any
item differing from its idea; its notion becomes the standard of truth;
anything contrary cannot be truth. Such a mentality deprives the opportunity
for many of God’s truths to penetrate into the man; consequently it damages the
believer’s spiritual life. Many experienced saints can testify to the necessity
for an unprejudiced
mind in regard to
revelation of truth.
Oftentimes enough
truth has been communicated to us, but we simply have not comprehended it
because of the lack of an open mind. How many are the years that God must
expend in removing all obstacles before we can accept truth. An unobstructed mentality in
conjunction with a free spirit aids us the most in knowing the truth. If the
mind is open the individual will soon perceive the preciousness of a truth
which initially appeared rather dull to him but now is illumined by the
spirit’s light. This is the way a child of God often receives truth: at the
beginning it seems quite meaningless; after a while, though, the light of the
spirit shines upon his mind and equips him to comprehend the depth of that
truth. Although he may not have at his command the proper words to explain it,
yet inwardly he has understood perfectly. An open mind lets in the truth, but
the illumination of the spirit’s light renders the truth profitable.'
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