Encouraging Personal Bible Study for Spiritual Authority
Personal Bible study is a means through which individuals can cultivate spiritual authority, understood as a reliance on God's power and wisdom rather than human strength or worldly influence [12]. This pursuit involves diligent self-examination, prayer, and an active engagement with scripture.
The concept of spiritual authority is rooted in the understanding that God's power works in and through believers [10]. The Apostle Paul prayed that believers would be strengthened with power through the Spirit in their inner being, drawing from the riches of God's glory [6]. This indwelling of Christ is presented as the source of spiritual power for life and ministry [8]. The prophet Zechariah conveyed a message to Zerubbabel, emphasizing that the work of God would be accomplished "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit" [12]. This highlights that spiritual endeavors, such as building God's church, depend on divine energy rather than human capabilities or secular means [12].
Personal Bible study contributes to this spiritual strengthening by encouraging self-reflection and a deeper connection with God. Self-examination is enjoined in scripture, as seen in 2 Corinthians 13:5, where individuals are encouraged to "Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith" [1, 11]. This process is necessary before partaking in communion and should be undertaken with "holy awe" and "diligent search" [1]. The prophet one tradition notes the difficulty of this process, stating, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Therefore, self-examination should be accompanied by prayer for divine searching, as exemplified in Psalms 26:2 and 139:23-24 [1]. The purpose of such introspection is amendment and growth [1].
Alongside self-examination, prayer is a vital component of cultivating spiritual authority. When facing affliction, individuals are exhorted to pray [2]. Prayers can include requests for God to consider one's troubles, for His presence and support, for the Holy Spirit not to be withdrawn, for divine comfort, for mitigation of difficulties, and for deliverance [2]. Furthermore, prayer for divine teaching and direction is encouraged, as seen in Job 34:32 and Psalm 143:10 [2]. Drawing near to God's "throne of grace with boldness" allows believers to receive mercy and grace for help in times of need [3].
The diligent study of scripture provides guidance and wisdom. Proverbs 22:17 encourages individuals to "incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise; and apply your heart to my doctrine" [5]. This engagement with God's word helps to redirect emotions toward the Lord, preventing excessive self-reflection that might not be spiritually productive [9]. The "favour of God" is presented as the source of spiritual life and mercy, and spiritual wisdom is said to lead to it [7]. This favor is obtained by saints and can strengthen them, leading to victory and preservation [7].
The pursuit of spiritual authority also involves self-denial, following Christ's example [4]. This is presented as a test of devotion and is necessary for following Christ, engaging in spiritual warfare, and achieving triumph [4]. It involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, and abstaining from fleshly desires [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Examination — Enjoined -- 2Co 13:5. Necessary before the communion -- 1Co 11:28. Cause of difficulty in -- Jer 17:9. Should be engaged in With holy awe. -- Ps 4:4. With diligent search. -- Ps 77:6; La 3:40. With prayer for divine searching. -- Ps 26:2; 139:23,24. With purpose of amendment. -- Ps 119:59; La 3:40. Advantages of -- 1Co 11:31; Ga 6:4; 1Jo 3:20-22.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Hebrews “Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. -- Hebrews 4:16”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Proverbs “Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium : appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam, -- Proverbs 22:17”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:16 (BSB) — I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Favour of God, The — Christ the special object of -- Lu 2:52. Is the source of Mercy. -- Isa 60:10. Spiritual life. -- Ps 30:5. Spiritual wisdom leads to -- Pr 8:35. Mercy and truth lead to -- Pr 3:3,4. Saints Obtain. -- Pr 12:2. Encompassed by. -- Ps 5:12. Strengthened by. -- Ps 30:7. Victorious through. -- Ps 44:3. Preserved through. -- Job 10:12. Exalted in. -- Ps 89:17. Sometimes tempted to doubt. -- Ps 77:7. Domestic blessings traced to -- Pr 18:22. Disappointment of enemies an assured evidence of -- Ps 41:11. Given in answer to prayer -- Job 33:26. Pray for -- ”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:17: 3:17 Having Christ . . . make his home in your hearts is the source of spiritual power for life and ministry (see John 14:16-17, 23; 15:4-5; Gal 2:20).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 4:5: 4:5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit: Redirecting emotions toward the Lord prevents a godly individual from doing too much self-reflection (40:6-8; 51:17).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:19: 1:19-20 God’s power for us who believe him is the power of his Spirit at work in and through his people, because they are joined to the resurrected Christ (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12). Paul longed to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection in his own life (Phil 3:10). • In biblical times, the place of honor was always at a person’s right hand (Ps 110:1; Acts 7:56).”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 13:5: Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith,.... These words are to be considered in connection with Co2 13:3 for seeing they sought and demanded a proof the voice and power of Christ in the apostle, he directs them to self examination, to look within themselves, to try, prove, and recognise their own souls; where if things were right, they would find a proof of Christ's speaking in him, to them: he advises them to examine the state of their own souls, and see whether they were in the faith; either in the doctrine of faith, having a spiritual and experimental”
- Zechariah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Zechariah 4:6: This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel - This prince was in a trying situation, and he needed especial encouragement from God; and here it is: Not by might, (of thy own), nor by power, (authority from others), but by my Spirit - the providence, authority, power, and energy of the Most High. In this way shall my temple be built; in this way shall my Church be raised and preserved. No secular arm, no human prudence, no earthly policy, no suits at law, shall ever be used for the founding, extension, and preservation of my Church. But the spirit of the world say”