Fighting What's Not in the Bible #LetTheWordReadYou
Editor’s Note: As I write this, I am on a self-ordered mission to replay Taylor Swift’s catalogue of music, to properly make a personal assessment of her best albums, and detail her transition from country to pop. I skipped over “Reputation” during my first listen in reverse chronological order, but, I will circle back during my second listen from her eponymous debut album, back to “Lover” before I make my final analysis. Stay tuned for the riveting results!
Boombox Boxing Club x Co-Founder: Angela “AJ Boomin’”
Commonly said, the Bible is the only book you can read, that reads you back. That’s one of the great aspects about it. It can prolifically, and selfishly be a self-serving guide to getting your life all the way together. I have a friend who consistently harps, every single week at Bible study, the importance of reading scripture yourself. The God of the Bible then, is still the God of our now, and He will remain that same God until the end of time, and beyond.
Often, when we’re on our Christ journey it is so easy to become enamored by appealing sermons, miraculous testimonies, and the reiterations of Good works from others, that we fail to realize that we’re simply receiving second hand information, at best. Personal interpretation is critical. Think about the Good Word as Michelle Obama’s Becoming, or any juicy tell-all. You much rather read the information from the source, right? There is a certain credibility and understanding that comes with digesting first-hand information. The same exact concept follows the Bible. In order for you to receive your own revelation, you need to consume it yourself to reveal itself.
We cannot allow ourselves to put the word of prophets over the Word of God. I always say that the devil is capable of speaking to us the same way God can. Now, how can we elevate ourselves to a place to discern the two? It’s up to us to make that choice. The Lord speaks to us in a language that only we can understand, as His child. For each of us, it’s different. To hear Him when He comes to us takes a disciplined practice. I love a glorified sermon as much as the next person, and sometimes a testimony that makes me jump is exactly what I need to reignite my engine, however, like any scholar, I need source information. I need to crosscheck their bibliography, for the one source: the Bible. Having a memory bank of scripture passages, and taking the initiative to do the work yourself helps prevent falling under the impressionability of secular prophetic word.
There are questions we ask ourselves in terms of relationships, occupations, wellness, and more, and we think to ourselves: “What does God think about this?” “What does the Bible say about this?” Honestly, there isn’t a chapter in the Bible where Jesus, the apostles, and his peers directly mention online dating. That’s a ridiculous notion. Adversely, what you will find are examples and passages that directly edify your origin of thought. The problem with these thoughts is that in an effort to justify or denounce specific inquiries, we end up putting Jesus in a box. (Don’t put baby in a corner!) When we put Jesus in a box, we limit the capabilities of the Word. There are so many obvious nuances in our world that didn’t exist then, and the Bible simply cannot speak to them. The Bible, instead, provides a comprehensive, and healthy, outline to infinite existential circumstances sourced from an author who knows our beginning and our end.
Shouts to Angela! She is tough, but she is an excellent motivator!! Boombox Boxing Club is located in SE D.C: at 1221 Van St SE Suite 140, Washington, DC 20003
When we receive and regurgitate information directly from a sermon, pastor, priest, our grandparents, or any prophets, we’re allowing their interpretation to become our interpretation. Basically, we’re receiving an interpretation of an interpretation, and then our final shared interpretation becomes the tertiary source. *Phew, catches breath!* Allow yourself to be the primary source of the good Word, and interpret the message the way God has planned for you. Some of us walk around repeating eloquent pseudo-biblical quotes, such as “God only does for those who do for themselves.” …Guess what, the Bible doesn’t say that! Become a primary source for your soul to be enlightened. Fight what’s not in the Bible, and let the Word read YOU.