The Bible Speaks - Rightly dividing the word of Truth

[00:00:00] Let us pray, pray together on our knees

[00:00:07] Let us pray, pray together on our knees

[00:00:14] When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun

[00:00:21] Oh Lord, never see all the knees

[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock

[00:00:30] The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of Harvest International

[00:00:33] Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's word

[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast

[00:00:44] And now, here's Elgin

[00:00:46] I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord

[00:00:51] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of our risen Savior Jesus the Christ

[00:00:56] Wherever you are, whoever you are and whenever you are listening

[00:01:01] Today we are looking at rightly dividing the word of truth

[00:01:06] And our inspirational scripture is 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 15

[00:01:13] And it reads, study to show thyself a proof unto God

[00:01:18] A workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

[00:01:25] While 2 Timothy 2 15 is the anchor scripture

[00:01:30] I went our discussion to reference a conversation between Job and his friend Eliphaz

[00:01:37] Found in chapter 22 verses 23 through 28

[00:01:42] Which reads, if thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up

[00:01:48] Thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles

[00:01:53] Then shalt thy lay up gold as dust and the gold of Ophir as the stories of the brooks

[00:02:01] Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defense and thou shalt have plenty of silver

[00:02:07] For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty and shalt lift up thy face unto God

[00:02:16] Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him and he shall hear thee and thou shalt pay thy vows

[00:02:24] Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee

[00:02:30] And the light shall shine upon thy ways

[00:02:34] What Eliphaz was saying to Job was absolutely correct and great words of wisdom

[00:02:41] However, it was not the right word for this situation

[00:02:46] Eliphaz is offering a statement about the power of righteous living

[00:02:51] And the efficacy of prayer for those who align with God's ways

[00:02:56] This declaration comes as part of Eliphaz's broader discourse

[00:03:01] Where he advises Job to return to God

[00:03:04] Insisting that Job's suffering must be due to some sin or moral failing

[00:03:10] And suggesting that restoration and blessing would follow Job's repentance and recommitment to righteous behavior

[00:03:21] It is important to note that Eliphaz's assumptions were later challenged by God himself

[00:03:26] Who declared that Job's friend did not speak correctly about him

[00:03:32] As Job did in chapter 42 verses 7 through 9

[00:03:38] This suggests that Eliphaz's claim about the automatic link between personal righteousness

[00:03:45] Declaring things and receiving God's blessings might be overly simplistic or maybe misunderstood

[00:03:53] The Book of Job as a whole emphasizes the inscrutable nature of God's way

[00:03:59] And cautions against a formulaic understanding of suffering, righteousness and divine retribution or blessing

[00:04:08] In our anchor scripture, the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy and by extension all who teach and study God's word

[00:04:16] To be diligent and to present themselves approved to God as one who does not need to be ashamed

[00:04:23] Correctly handling the word of truth

[00:04:26] This instruction underscores several key principles

[00:04:31] First, it suggests the need to carefully study and have a deep understanding of the Bible

[00:04:38] Recognizing that scripture is complex and rich with multiple layers of meaning

[00:04:44] Second, it implies a responsibility to interpret the Bible responsibly

[00:04:50] Without distorting its message due to personal bias or cultural assumptions or long-standing traditions

[00:04:59] Third, rightly dividing the word of truth means applying the scriptures appropriately to life situations

[00:05:07] Ensuring that the application is consistent with the overall message of the gospel and the teachings of Christ

[00:05:15] This task requires discernment, wisdom and reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide us to understanding and teaching

[00:05:24] In essence, to rightly divide the word of truth is to approach the Bible with reverence, dedication

[00:05:32] And a commitment to convey its truth accurately and faithfully

[00:05:38] So you must be careful when you are quoting the scripture to someone who is going through some sort of wilderness experience

[00:05:47] That your words are comforting and consistent with what God is saying to the person through his word

[00:05:55] You can say the right thing at the wrong time and it has a negative effect

[00:06:01] As James told us, be slow to speak and quick to listen

[00:06:05] Consult the Holy Spirit before giving your answer and make sure that what you are responding is consistent with the word of God and God's will

[00:06:16] I thank you once again for joining me today and I look forward to our discussion on tomorrow

[00:06:21] Until then, God bless

[00:06:25] I've wandered far away from God

[00:06:34] This program is cared for by listeners who care

[00:06:37] Your prayers and financial investment in this ministry helps to keep the good news on the air

[00:06:43] We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to write us at Harvest International

[00:06:48] Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478

[00:06:54] Again, that's Harvest International Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478

[00:07:18] Ocala, Florida 34478