Let's Allow God's Word To Change Us
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles, uncategorizedGod’s book “” the Bible “” changes lives by first offering its message of salvation (Romans 1:16 – NKJV). But Scripture can also change the way we treat others (cf. Matthew 7:12 – NKJV). It can provide a firm foundation for society with its clear teachings on institutions such as marriage, family, and the Lord’s church.
But what happens when what the Bible clearly says is rejected by people? They reject its teachings by changing the meaning of a passage into a meaning not intended by its inspired author.
Two Greek words can help explain this: eisegesis and exegesis. Eisegesis is the process of reading into a passage something that is not there “” inserting a meaning that flows from a personal agenda. By contrast, exegesis means drawing from the passage the clearly intended meaning, using context, other Scripture passages on the same topic, and legitimate tools of understanding such as Bible dictionaries, concordances, and commentaries.
Instead of trying to change God’s Word to fit our own ideas (Gal. 1:6-7; cf. Matthew 15:9), let’s allow the Word to change us (cf. Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ). As we read His Word and obey it (Romans 6:17), God will transform us into the kind of people He wants us to be.
Let’s not ever change the Word “” instead, let’s allow it to change us (cf. Jonah 3:1-10 – NKJV).