Can Love for the Bible Get in the Way of a Relationship with God?

[evenifigoalone]

There's a balance. It's important to know what the Bible says, but we have to live it in our lives as well.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

Someone once told me that it was apparant that I had a respect and love for God's Word but they could not tell that I had a relationship with God. When asked why they responded by saying that I was too practical and that I relied too much on book, chapter, and verse and didn't approach life with enough passion and emotion to really live it the way God intended.

In a nutshell I was told that I needed to do more feeling with my spirit than thinking with my head. At that time I believed that it was the Spirit that caused me to do so much thinking and rationalization. To me everything had to fit or make sense before if could be acceptable. I have struggled with getting by the 'by the book' mentality that's been instilled in me from childhood to the point where I have often believed that if it was not in the book, it couldn't be of God.

All that said, my question is this: Where is the point of that fine line between loving the God spoken of in the Bible and making the Bible that tells of God your god?

"fine line"?
Jesus said it is the difference between life and death. when He spoke to the scribes and pharisees "you search the Scriptures thinking that in them you have life. but here I Am, and you reject Me."
then to His disciples : "UNLESS you become like infants, you will never see the kingdom of heaven."
and again, TO HIS FATHER "I praise and thank you enthusiastically Father, that you have hidden the truth about salvation from the scholars and the educated , and revealed it to BABES, FOR THUS IT IS YOUR GOOD PLEASURE."

this is understood ONLY by those whom the Father removes the veil. those who are born again. those who have a renewed mind in Christ Jesus, and a pure and holy(set apart) spirit devoted to (always serving) ABBA the CREATOR.
(if you need more Scripture references, check with me later, Yhwh willing. there are many.)

Shalom to all who love God His Way. (as He says, as it is written).....

 

[Barbarian]

Someone that knows God would tell you right away that our God did not send Satan off to Murder Job's children. Can't be possible as it contradicts so many other scriptures. Job was given a right to choose death or life. Had to be Job's fault.

That was the opinion of some of Job's friends. But God reminds him that God's way are not explicable in human terms; sometimes the just suffer and the unjust prosper. Remember, most Hebrews did not consider there to be a life after death.

We have no other example of God doing that to anyone that served him

Isaiahs 45:[7] I form the light, and create darkness, I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord that do all these things.

God is not fair as we think of fairness. But He is just. This world, bad things happen to all of us. He could prevent that, if He wished.

What would your child become if you could protect him from every misfortune and pain every moment?

 

[Pizza]

What would your child become if you could protect him from every misfortune and pain every moment?

And we already know the answer to that one, don't we? I have known parents who strive to do just that, they shelter their kids from this world as effectively as they can.
They home school (something I approve of) and shelter their kids from: other kids, TV, society in general, illness, four letter words, etc.

I watched the one move away to attend college alone - it was a disaster, as she had no concept of what people are really like.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

Hebrews 11:6

What does this have to do with UNDERSTANDING what one reads? Before faith can be manifested, there must first be an understanding of the message or calling so one can act in faith.

Why must there be 'an understanding of the message or calling' ? I don't think so. Faith is or can be in the person Yeshua HaMashiach, or in turning to ABBA; trusting and relying and believing , not necessarily 'understanding'(as with the mind of the flesh or 'human reasoning'). When someone sees Yeshua, they can follow Him simply like a little child, faith and grace given by God. Or seeking God, ABBA, with the joyous and childlike obedient trusting wholeheartedly in HIM to "catch me!" if I just jump into HIS ARMS ..... (He's never once let me down, btw; He cannot).
At least the worldly mind cannot comprehend this.

Hebrews 1:1-3

1 John 3:1-6

 

[Edward]

Hebrews 11:6



Why must there be 'an understanding of the message or calling' ? I don't think so. Faith is or can be in the person Yeshua HaMashiach, or in turning to ABBA; trusting and relying and believing , not necessarily 'understanding'(as with the mind of the flesh or 'human reasoning'). When someone sees Yeshua, they can follow Him simply like a little child, faith and grace given by God. Or seeking God, ABBA, with the joyous and childlike obedient trusting wholeheartedly in HIM to "catch me!" if I just jump into HIS ARMS ..... (He's never once let me down, btw; He cannot).
At least the worldly mind cannot comprehend this.

Hebrews 1:1-3

1 John 3:1-6

Now there's a man who gets it. We do not have to understand God to be able to trust Him. That's carnal thinking and we are told not to lean upon our own understanding. Just trust in God, as a little child does his father. Exactly like he said.

 

[Pizza]

I agree with the last two posts, T/T. If I had to understand what God was doing, I'd be as lost as I was before! I've never understood what He was doing, or about to do. Only when I look BACK, do I see what He was up to. I never see his path, I never understand what He is doing, but I can often look back and see His footprints.

TRUST Him, sure, I can do that. UNDERSTAND His ways, His instruction? His direction? Not often. It happens, but not often, until I look back.

 

[Edward]

Back to the original question Can Love for The Bible Get in the Way of a Relationship with Christ?...

Let's bring perspective in on it. In what way? Love for the Bible meaning...love to read it, memorize it, know it well enough to debate and argue about it...? Or love for the Bible meaning This is...the Lord's word, as if (almost) it is Him speaking to us and giving us, His loved ones instruction. See the distinction there? I think this is important. Answer #1 above would be yes, it can get in the way of a relationship. The Bible isn't a weapon that we are to know well enough that we can beat others over the head with it! If #2, then no. the Bible would help us develop our relationship with the Lord by pointing us to Him and instruction us how to go about it. A baby bottle if you will...

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

Actually, I never debated nor argued over the Bible with any of God's emissaries sent to proclaim His Word. (don't remember ever anyway).
Perhaps with some of the ones "in training" though. Don't know for sure.(if they're in training or not).
"A baby bottle" might be very appropriate --- as in so many lambs or sheep without a shepherd , apparently. No one to teach them Torah (the Scripture, the milk and the meat, wisdom and knowledge and experience and instruction in how to live in faith by grace, that flows from Yhwh to all of His children).

 

[Edward]

True that. It's even in scripture.

1 John 2: 27
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him./

And in the same vein, a scripture the Lord took me to this morning!

2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;/

and if we go to Strongs for "imaginations" (Gasp!) what do we see?!

Imaginations G3053
λογισμός
logismos
log-is-mos'
From G3049; computation, that is, (figuratively) reasoning (conscience, conceit): - imagination, thought./(Strongs)

How about that eh? Reasoning, thought. So wherein should we go if not to our reasoning? Why, faith of course!

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

quote="Edward, True that. It's even in scripture.
1 John 2: 27
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him./
And in the same vein, a scripture the Lord took me to this morning!
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;/
and if we go to Strongs for "imaginations" (Gasp!) what do we see?!
Imaginations G3053
λογισμός
logismos
log-is-mos'
From G3049; computation, that is, (figuratively) reasoning (conscience, conceit): - imagination, thought./(Strongs)

How about that eh? Reasoning, thought. So wherein should we go if not to our reasoning? Why, faith of course!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
coincidence ? just now as I pulled up this post,
'reasoning' propagated via tv, channel six, antenna tv, news, reared its ugly head (camouflaged->whitewashed to look good)
twice in one minute.
one: telling pregnant women to see their doctor because they don't likely get enough idoine (yes, i knoe)
which is crucial for (they say 'growing children') (actually for everyone) thyroid
which many are (just by chance?) suffering from in the untied states.(all ages, not just children).
they actually 'admitted' that they might not get enough I'o from 'salt' in the food they eat (duh, a known posin since 1939),
but , well, as usual, deferred it to 'check with your doctor' (i.e. higher cost by far)than just telling the truth(everyplace).

REASONING ___ > 'trust them' and do what they say.
FAITH__________> 'trust God' and learn from Him what to do.

..... now i forgot what the second thing was.... (alzhimers ) ... ... no worries... God has it under control .

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

i.e. human reasoning doesn't work to find out the things of God, or of Truth, or of Revelation of the things of healing/(salvation), and it applies all across human existence (that reasoning just doesn't work, apart from God's Grace and Truth and Love and true knowledge in Christ Jesus)

 

[Free]

True that. It's even in scripture.

1 John 2: 27
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him./

And in the same vein, a scripture the Lord took me to this morning!

2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;/

and if we go to Strongs for "imaginations" (Gasp!) what do we see?!

Imaginations G3053
λογισμός
logismos
log-is-mos'
From G3049; computation, that is, (figuratively) reasoning (conscience, conceit): - imagination, thought./(Strongs)

How about that eh? Reasoning, thought. So wherein should we go if not to our reasoning? Why, faith of course!

i.e. human reasoning doesn't work to find out the things of God, or of Truth, or of Revelation of the things of healing/(salvation), and it applies all across human existence (that reasoning just doesn't work, apart from God's Grace and Truth and Love and true knowledge in Christ Jesus)

These arguments against using reason are patently false and are a perfect example of why lay people need to be careful in using concordances and lexicons. You simply cannot pull out a meaning which fits some preconceived notion.

Isaiah 1:!8, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (ESV)

Acts 17:2, And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (ESV)

Acts 17:7, So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. (ESV)

In fact, all of chapter 17 is about Paul reasoning with Jews and gentiles. The Bereans used reasoning by "examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" (vs 11). And as a result, "Many of them therefore believed" (vs 12).

Acts 18:4, And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. (ESV)

Acts 18:19, And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. (ESV)

Acts 24:25, And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you." (ESV)

James 3:17, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (ESV)

1 Peter 3:15, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (ESV)

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

no worries, 'reasons' of man, even all the wisdom and knowledge of 'man' is called foolishness by Yhwh's Word. (1 Corinthians 1)

that is entirely different than the 'reasons', knowledge, wisdom, and understanding IN CHRIST JESUS.

"the flesh profits nothing." and "all that is born of flesh, is flesh" , remains true.

"the spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8) , is always true yet not for those who remain in the flesh, the world, egypt, or 'human reasonings' of their own volition.

John 6:63 NKJV - It is the Spirit who gives life; the - Bible ...
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

 

[Edward]

These arguments against using reason are patently false and are a perfect example of why lay people need to be careful in using concordances and lexicons. You simply cannot pull out a meaning which fits some preconceived notion.

Isaiah 1:!8, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (ESV)

Acts 17:2, And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (ESV)

Acts 17:7, So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. (ESV)

In fact, all of chapter 17 is about Paul reasoning with Jews and gentiles. The Bereans used reasoning by "examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" (vs 11). And as a result, "Many of them therefore believed" (vs 12).

Acts 18:4, And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. (ESV)

Acts 18:19, And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. (ESV)

Acts 24:25, And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you." (ESV)

James 3:17, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (ESV)

1 Peter 3:15, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (ESV)

Preconceived notions? Brother, I got the notion from scripture. Proverbs 2 if I recall correctly. That reason is spoken of in scripture is by no means an instruction to lean to it for our faith!

 

[YosefHayim]

So-called "Christian" masonic lodges consider the Holy Bible furniture. So you can make the bible a relic, and never read it, and then yes. You won't have the relationship you should have with God.

"be still and know that I am God".

Stop and take time to acknowledge God.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

I've been in Sunday School since 1977 and the Bible does not tell us how old the earth or ANY PART of God's creation is. ... ... ..

it's much much worse to do what the public and tv and politicians and fake scientists do --- none the less,
if you've been in ss since 1977, I think they should let you go home for a break !

and yes, go to Israel, to any grade school there, and they can tell you how old the earth is. it is made very very clear in Hebrew. (don't even try in english, or , like, online, like here..... you won't get anywhere nor find out anything new).
and if they can't, well, enjoy the vacation !

 

[BigSodaExposer]

Reading the bible deprograms you from the world. It pulls you down to reality. If you are manic it pulls you down. I believe Luke 3:5 explains this "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;" It reminds me of that chart they show you in mental health places. The mood that goes up and down higher then normal. For what goes up must come down right? For every unnatural high there is an unnatural low.

 

[YosefHayim]

Reading the bible deprograms you from the world. It pulls you down to reality. If you are manic it pulls you down. I believe Luke 3:5 explains this "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;" It reminds me of that chart they show you in mental health places. The mood that goes up and down higher then normal. For what goes up must come down right? For every unnatural high there is an unnatural low.

Yeah. I'm opposed to illuminati energy drinks too.

 

[YosefHayim]

So will the world be when they learn the truth about what they are really doing to your body.

I already imagined they're not great for you. What exactly are the drinks doing to the body?