There are at least five things every Christian needs to do if they truly want to understand
Here are they:
1. Pray
This might seem unimportant but it really should be the first thing you do when you open the Bible. Why? Because what you are about to read was inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) so it only makes
Without God's help through the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to really understand the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 2:14 offers an explanation saying, "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
This is why you should always start with a prayer, asking for 'the eyes of your hearts to be enlightened' (Ephesians 1:18).
2. Always read in context
The easiest way to misunderstand the Bible is to take verses out of context. Doing this can lead to false conclusions as doing this changes the entire meaning of a particular part of the scriptures.
In order to avoid this popular mistake, it's extremely important to read the verse before and after the one, you are focused on. It also doesn't hurt to read the entire chapter in order to get the full story.
ALSO READ: 3 popular Bible verses that are usually used out of context
3. Look for Biblical references
Looking out for similar verses can help you better understand what you are reading.
4. Use more than one translation
Understanding the Bible has never been as easy as it is right now thanks to the availability of several translations. If the old English language in the King James Version (KJV)is too difficult for you, then you can turn to the New King James Version (NKJV) which uses modern English. For instance, "Thou" has been substituted with "You".
You can also try the New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), Amplified or the Passion translations for a better understanding of the scriptures.
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