I am a theology teacher and on occasion a preacher. It is discouraging to know that most of the audience only remembers 7% of what I say. When people read a book it is about the same, depending on the context. (I’m sure it is higher when Chuck Swindoll is the speaker or the author.) Do not get me wrong. Listening to sermons, speakers, and reading books is good for our spiritual development. But the fact is, so much of what we hear and read is not linked to our cognitive faculties and our internal consciousness, and the result is less than stellar and at times stunted spiritual growth.
However, there is help. He is called the Helper. One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to enlighten or illuminate the word of God to our minds and our spirits. In Ephesians 1:18 the apostle Paul prays that the church would be enlightened to understand profound spiritual truth.“I pray that the eyes of their heart would be enlightened.” Reading is not enough. Hearing is not enough. Spiritual discernment and enlightenment is needed and it is provided by the Spirit as we study the sacred scripture.
Again, Paul reveals to us that it is the Spirit who guides us in understanding spiritual truth from the spiritual words of scripture.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
The Spirit of the Living God indwells you. You are the temple of God. (I Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16) The Holy Spirit desires to explain to you and enlighten you concerning the truth from God’s word.
Might I suggest that the next time you begin to read the scripture, you ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the scripture and enlighten your mind to appropriate the meaning of inspired scripture and how you may apply it to your life.
Now if that sounds mystical or supernatural, it is! But then again…. what do you think Christmas and Easter are all about!
Serving Him with you, until He comes for us.
Fred | 
