Before a believer begins to study Scripture as a lifetime pursuit, there must be a felt need in the soul. Then, Scripture can be taken up in fellowship with God, as life’s guide. Coming to God, finding his needs met, tasting that God is good, there is an increasing desire to know Him through the Scriptures (Phil. 3:716; 1 John 2:13-14).
The study of Scripture requires the illumination of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures were not written to dazzle the intellect or to serve as a textbook on various subjects. They were not written exclusively for scholars, for man’s natural mind does not comprehend God’s revelation ( John 16:13-14; 1 John 2:20,27; 1 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:7; Job 33:14; John 3:35).
The study of Scripture requires the recognition of its divine inspiration, infallibility and absolute authority (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; John 10:35).
The study of Scripture will cause the Christian to judge himself. It has been said that “when I read a book, I judge it. But when I read Scripture, it judges me.” The Bible deals directly with the state of soul before a holy God. Thus it is more difficult to learn than becoming proficient in some branch of natural wisdom. See Daniel 9:2 for an example of this.
In learning the Scriptures, patient and diligent study is required. (See Acts 17:11 and 1 Timothy 4:15-16.)
D. Newby