It is Important to Read the Bible on Your Own

 

It is Important to Read the Bible on Your Own

This is why it is so very important to read the Bible on your own and not rely on anyone else's interpretation of scriptures: I once listened to a Podcast by a popular singer (I won't say who) claiming there is no condemnation when we sin. Please do not be deceived by this false message! This person, as many have done, failed to read ALL of Romans 8:1, so let me give it to you, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, WHO WALK NOT after the flesh, BUT after the Spirit." Please note the last 10 words. 

If you read even more of Romans 8, it really tells you the Truth:

(Romans 8:3-9 & 14) God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

That is absolutely the key to our walking in Christ - walking not after the flesh, but in the spirit, ONLY then will there be no condemnation. Jesus did not die just to wink at our sins and turn a blind eye to rebellion against His holy Words. 

Also remember that 1 John 1:9 says. "IF WE CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confessing, repenting, and not repeating our sins, that is how we find complete joy in the Lord, not by burying our heads in the sand and saying God doesn't condemn us for our sins. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins for a reason (John 16:8, AMP - And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment:), not that we live in complacency and apathy of our actions, but so we can change our sinful ways to better serve Jesus and make Him Lord of our life! 

(Romans 6:1-2) "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" 

Too many people quoting the Bible do so for their own agenda such as to "convert" you to their false religion, justify their actions, or (in the case of most pastors) are trying to get you to feel comfortable in your sins so you keep following their "ministries."  These people, as the one mentioned above, only quote part of a verse, misquote what the Bible says, falsely tell you the interpretation of scriptures in Hebrew (large portions of the NT were not written in Hebrew), create new meanings of scripture by using strange and imagined Bible codes etc.  And some very brazen people try to say Jesus did not actually mean what He said, but twist His words to fit their false ideologies.  For the most part, you can take the Bible at face value and know it says what it means and it means what it says.  You do not need a degree in theology, speak another language, or have to use a secret code to understand the words of Jesus, Paul, Peter, and others.  Simply read it on your own and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you read and you will understand it is not so complicated as some tricksters try to make it seem.  

When I say not to take anyone at their word that the Bible says what they say it does, I absolutely mean myself!  I will say it again, please, read it on your own! 2 Timothy 2:5 means that we are to do our own studying so we can learn to understand right from wrong, not let someone else tell us their version of right and wrong and they follow only their example: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Let me just leave you with two more scriptures that say it all:

(Jude 1:4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [an excuse to live in sin], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

(Matthew 7:15) Beware of false prophets [and teachers], which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.