Human beings often view their world through the lens of experience or feelings. Thus, how they feel or what they experience at a given moment, or over time, tends to define what they believe to be true. This is exacerbated by the cultural mantras, "just follow your heart," or "if it feels good do it." Today, many people, even Christians, go off half-cocked and embrace whatever strikes their fancy, whatever provides them a thrill, or whatever they want.
Here's the problem. "Following your heart" can get you into real trouble. The Bible says "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. (Pro 28:26)." You can follow your heart in a completely wrong direction. The Holy Spirit, speaking through the "pen" of the writer of Proverbs tell us "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Pro 14:12)" We also know from what the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, "the heart is desperately wicked..." In the same way, doing something because it feels good at the moment is just as foolish for the reasons listed above. Embracing a practice because it gratifies something in us is equally hazardous, for the same reasons. We know that the addict yearns for a fix because it will give him what he needs in the moment. My brother once had a recovered heroin addict tell him, "man... while your in that world the needle is your best friend." We must be careful of getting enticed and carried away by our own lusts (James 1:13-15). We must avoid deceiving ourselves.
This brings us to experience and Scripture. Modern Christianity and too many Christians these days are increasingly evangelized by our secular, experience-driven culture; so successfully that they look to experience over Scripture. This is unfortunate because while our desires and experiences are always subject to change, God's word stands unchanging forever. The Bible says this at least twice; however, if it only said it once, a word from the Spirit of God through the clearly written and understandable Scriptures of God should be authoritative enough for the true believer:
*THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is the word which was preached to you. (1Pe 1:25)
*The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (Isa 40:8)
Pay close attention to the Isaiah 40:8 because it speaks to the transient nature of human existence by using grass and flowers as an object lesson. The words immediately preceding verse 8 are : "Surely the people are grass. (Isa 40:7)"
All of this brings us to the role of Scripture in our discussion. God's word must be the final arbiter of what is true and proper. Indeed, it is the basis of what both parties on both sides of the Charismatic Equation claim to believe. Therefore, we must view this issue through the lens of Scripture rather than experience, second hand reports. All truth claims must harmonize with the testimony of Scripture. God is not a god of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). He does not contradict Himself, nor does he lie (Numbers 23:19).
God's word is tested (Proverbs 30:5) and we do well not to add to it; otherwise we may find ourselves reproved by Him and shown to be lying (Proverbs 30:6). Scripture tells us the word of the Lord is perfect... it makes the simple wise (Psalm 19:7). Scripture does not fade, wither, or go out of date. It forever useful. The Holy Spirit speaking through the pen of the Apostle Paul writes:
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.(2Ti 3:16-17)
Scripture comes from God; therefore, it is like Him--perfect, inerrant, and infallible. Because it is breathed out by Him through His Spirit, it is useful (i.e. profitable). What's it useful for? It teaches us what is true (i.e. "for teaching"). It reproves or rebukes our wrong headed directions or practices (i.e. "for reproof"), and it fine tunes our understanding (i.e. "for correction"). Scripture is profitable for "instruction in righteousness (teaching us to live according to God's will).
Why did God provide His Scriptures? Look at the "so that" clause in verse 17: "...so that the man of God will be up to the challenges he faces (i.e. "adequate), prepared (i.e. "equipped") and well rounded to face the questions, challenges, and trials of life (i.e. "lacking in nothing")for whatever challenges God sends his way (i.e. "for every good work"). We have what we need to rightly interpret and understand God's will and principles for every question we have to answer. We have the 66 books of the closed canon. God's word is complete, entire, lacking in nothing and is therefore the source by which we test all things.
Scripture is more reliable than our experiences (ask any recovered, saved drug addict). Because Scripture is in writing it is available for all to read, study, and consider---repeatedly. It is for all people. God's word was given for our good and in writing so that it could be preserved for our reference and study.
Certainly God's word is not a science book; however, when it speaks to science it speaks accurately. It is not a history book; however, where it speaks to history it speaks accurately. Wherever man's wisdom and experience contradicts Scripture, man's wisdom and experience must be declared invalid. It is by the Scriptures, then, with which we will evaluate our topic. Where our experiences contradict the writings of the Holy Spirit speaking through the pens (or styluses) of the prophets, apostles, and other writers of Scripture, we understand our experiences are wrong, misguided, etc.
We ought to be thankful for Scripture. Divine, infinite, truth is there for us in black and white. Scripture is there for our repeated study. The Bible is understandable. Even where our minds are dulled by sin and struggle with a passage or two we can find cross references which shed light on the darkness and dullness of our thinking. That's why we must let Scripture interpret Scripture. Where we might struggle to understand a particular passage, there are clearer passages on the same subject that will help us to clearly understand an issue or question.
Last and certainly not least, let's understand the right way to interpret Scripture. We read it in context. Each verse is a part of a larger thought in a passage or book. Therefore, we cannot read a verse in isolation. It must be understood in context. Otherwise, we end up taking the approach of the cultists like the Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons, and others who rip verses out of context in an attempt to get them to say what they want them to say. This is called reading ideas into Scripture. As Christians, we must read ideas from Scripture, letting God put these ideas into our hearts and heads, rather than attempting to put words in His mouth. After all, He is God---we are His servants.
Having said all this we will next turn our attention to "tongues." We will evaluate the tongues question through the lens of Scripture.
PS: our next posting will be on or before July 23,2009.
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