Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…
Matthew 5:1-2 NASB2020
The Bible is a great diagnostic tool. Becoming intimately familiar with Scripture allows us to self-reflect and self-correct ourselves before something worse happens to us.
Here’s an example of how I use Scripture to walk by faith and live a holy life. It’s important to let God lead you by the Holy Spirit and not rely on your own understanding.
Worship God. Everything is worship when you live for God.
At some point, either wait for Him to speak or ask God, “Is there some Scripture that I should look at?”
He’ll speak.
Ask Him what translation to use. Different translations and paraphrases are useful for different purposes.
If He doesn’t say anything, stick to your favorite one. Jesus didn’t preach out of the King James Version nor The Passion Translation. He trusted His Father, but that’s another story for another day.
Today, the Holy Spirit said, “Matthew 5.”
I started reading in the New Living Translation; I like to keep it simple for an international audience. However, as I started reading, He said, “New American Standard.”
I guess He wants me to do a word study today. What can we learn from looking at a close word for word translation of the original manuscripts? A lot, apparently. Let’s dig in!
I read the first few paragraphs and then started skimming forward and backward to notice the storyline and context of the eyewitness account according to Matthew, the first of the chosen 12.
Eyewitnesses have different viewpoints and memories can sometimes trick us, so get two or more witnesses on things. Anyways, I digress. We’ll take that bunny trail another time. Let’s focus our attention on what the Lord wants our attention on.
Read Matthew 5.
I have to run to an online meeting on team building. Let’s pick this up later.
Father, prepare our hearts to receive from Your Word and Your Spirit today. Give us wisdom. Give us insight. Give us understanding. Help us to grow strong in the Lord. Amen. Thank You, Jesus!
When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew 7:28-29 NASB2020
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