Does being filled with the Holy Spirit to 'understand' the bible require you to shut off part of your brain?

Question

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Regarding my earlier question. There were a few good answers from christians who have enough balls to at least look at outside opinions, but I also got the sense that many of them were reading other holy books so they could say 'Ah see? They screwed up here. It's all wrong."

There is the idea that I may have read the bible but since I don't have 'The Holy Spirit' there's no way for me to understand it. For example:
"There is nothing for you in The Bible...it is not intended for you as an enemy of God... read it all you want though... it makes no difference....unless you alow The Holy Spirit to guide your study...You will remain in ignorence of God's Word and Will."

The next most popular answer was:
"Should I read a million instruction manuals to a million radios to find out if the 1 instruction manual to my radio is true?"

As if understand the meaning of life can be dumbed down into understand how to work a toaster.

Finally, there's the guy who said I was
"covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,"
and also managed to say that the end times were here all with one bible quote.

Anyway, the real question is....how is it that people who read only the bible and have to have the holy spirit in them and have to believe it completely can have a well rounded point of view about it?

Answer 1

You have to close off a huge part of your brain if you're to believe anything that organized religion tries to sell you.


The greatest gift my parents ever gave me was a clean slate on which to draw my own conclusions. Most "believers" are not that fortunate.

Answer 2

I started reading the Bible when I was 7. I didn't become a Christian until I was 16. Those intervening years were filled with wonder and questions. The questions are never ending after 37 years but the answers come easier since my acceptance of the gift of salvation of Jesus Christ.

You would get better answers to your questions by studying the Bible rather than asking people who don't know because they have read parts of it but don't study it. In this case you will get all sorts of kok-a-mamie answers.

You will also find by studying the Bible that the Holy Spirit does have an occassional influence on the non-believer. But you will have to study it to find the reference.

Good luck

Answer 3

Well the holy spirit not only allows you to discern the bible,but other things also to know wheter it is of God or not,seeing the Holy spirit is God,its like God recognizing God,so if if someone that has the Holyspirit is analyzing something and it doesnt have God like qualities and attributes then you know it cant be from God,just as a pear tree cant grow peaches,and a apple tree dont have oranges...its actually pretty simple. and knowing other religions and what they teach will help you understand also what is truth and what is not truth but you wont know truth unless you know the foundation of truth.so the question is what is truth?

Answer 4

1 Timothy 2:4 says of God, "whose will it is that all sorts of men be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." The key phrase there is "come to an accurate knowledge of truth," and it requires effort to study the Bible, meditate on it, and truly try to understand how it applies to our day or to oneself personally. So no, it does not require you to shut off part of your brain, in fact, you must use most of your brain, as different parts are used for reading, thinking, meditating, etc. Praying for holy spirit to help you understand will not automatically make you understand. It is good to do that, but you also must work in harmony with that spirit and put forth a lot of effort.

Answer 5

hi Helene.definite i locate the Holy Spirit bit something of a secret.the daddy being God and the Son being Jesus.Thats positive.Im pleased with that.however the Holy Spirit section eludes me a sprint.My in hassle-free terms information of that's that its some sort of feeling or protection of the different 2.Or something that bonds the different 2 mutually and bridges our connection with them..Take it ordinary . J.

Answer 6

God the Holy Spirit wants me to look at all points of view, and evaluate them based on textual analysis/criticism and the evidence available. He also wants to enlighten me as to what He wants me to see in His Word. If you want to believe that I've "shut off part of my brain" because I choose to ask questions, seek answers and ask God for His help in my search, I'm guilty as charged.

It doesn't require "balls" to "look" at outside opinions. It takes curiousity, and a desire to learn.

I know as much about some faiths as many believers in those faiths do. You'll find a Qu'ran, Book of Mormon (PGP, D&C, etc.), Bhagavad Gita and Tao Te Ching right alongside of my Bibles, concordances and lexicons. I read other scriptures from other religions as well, but I use online versions of them.

Reading and knowing the thoughts and teachings of other religons serves to strengthen my own faith in God. Not because I'm "right" and they're "wrong," either...because, to me, Christianity just makes sense.

Answer 7

Of course you don't shut off part of your brain. The Bible says to praise God w/ your heart and w/ your mind. Meaning, that you know what you are doing. To understand it is a different story. Alot of people misinterpret the Bible, or simply don't get it. But there is no need for you to shut off your brain. God gave you one for a reason.

Answer 8

What is it that you think makes "well rounded point of view?"

Perhaps I should try each and every chemical personally to determine whether it will harm me. Or do I believe the Doctors that I have come to trust?

Perhaps the point of view is not well-rounded unless it perfectly matches your own?

"Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "who do the crowds say I am?" They replied "Some say, John the Baptist; others say Elijah; still others, thatone of the prophets of long ago has come back to life." "But what about you?" He asked. "who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "The Christ of God." Luke 9:18-20 (NIV)

Answer 9

I don't understand how anyone who loves their country and wants to see the best for themselves their nation and all her people could not be informed on many issues. Believing doesn't mean we no longer have eyes to see with or ears to hear with. We trust Christ to keep His word to us. Do we all need Jesus in our lives? I think so or I wouldn't follow Him. If you don't think so, fine, live your life and except the consequences of your actions. Just so you understand I believe what scripture says and spiritual things are spiritually discerned...Jim

Answer 10

we dont have a well rounded view of the Holy Scriptures. When you open the Bible, first you have to ask the Lord to open up your heart and mind to understand His Word.

So whenever I dont understand somethings, I ask the Lord in prayer to give me understanding in all things.