Génesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Someone asked me the other day if I took the Bible literally or figuratively (allegorically). I suspect he was looking for an argument. I have learned lately that those that can, are too busy doing than to have time or desire for arguing. Doesn’t matter, I have a strict no-Bible war policy. My pat answer for this question (YES!) was perfect, and it helped me to avoid yet another foolish argument. God’s Words not mine.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
No one was ever saved by winning an argument, and I am here to save souls, to be a fisher of men, not a keeper of an aquarium.
Why do I say ‘YES! both literally and figuratively?’ Here’s a good example.
In Genesis 1:2 … the Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters.
Literally speaking – Here is God’s Spirit moving over that face of the waters. It literally happened. Just as surely as World War Two happened. Some people read it, believe it. And stop there, never giving it another thought. They know it happened because God gave them the ability to believe His Word. But then what? To apply it you have to believe it literally and figuratively.
Figuratively speaking – First and foremost, This to me shows the Holy Trinity. Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Doesn’t say it directly. But I receive it figuratively. God’s Spirit moves over the waters (Symbolism of God’s Holy Spirit flows over the Bible, Jesus, the Word). That happened literally. And it’s figurative because God’s Holy Spirit helps me in the here and now, every day to understand His Word when I read it. It gives me confidence, knowing God’s Holy Spirit is helping me to understand His message, He is there, with me, step by step. I don’t care what interpretation it is. Do I take it literally? Yes! The message itself, the thought capsules, is the same, God inspired. God uses whatever He wants to communicate His thoughts to you. A worldly song, a movie, or drunken sinners talking too loud can all be God revealing His Word to you through His Holy Spirit. God really has a good sense of humor when He communicates His message to us. It always has to be in context with the Bible. Many times I read something in the Bible which hits a nerve. Then I turn on the radio and the guy says something. I go to the park and two mothers are talking about the same thing. I know one lady that got saved watching Saturday Night Live and spent the last 30 years of her life serving others on the mission field. Richard Tracy (National director of YWAM Panamá) got a Good News For Modern Man as a gift when he was 10. He read it, he believed it, and got saved. God’s Holy Spirit moved over the face of the waters for ten year old Richard. (Again spending his whole adult life on the mission fields of Panamá and the Gwaymi Indians. Thousands are saved as a result). Good thing a literalist (my word) KJV only Bible scholar didn’t get to him before the seed germinated). Richard literally believed every word he read. This was possible only by the Holy Spirit guiding you over the face of the waters, (or betters said, the pages of the Bible)
Before I was saved I couldn’t make sense of the Bible, because I didn’t have the Holy Spirit. Now the more I read the Bible the more it makes sense, both literally and figuratively. When I need correction, the Bible speaks to my heart and convicts me. Sometimes I am spoken to because I am taking the Bible literally. But sometimes because I am taking it figuratively. Most of the time both. A born again Christian is spoken to (individually) every time he reads it. Whether or not we take heed is another story.
You have to take it both ways. You have to be saved to be able to do this. When we are saved the Holy Spirit is in us. He guides us to all truth. He helps us to take it literally and figuratively. If you’re saved He will show you what you need to see.
When we pray, we talk to God. When we read His Word, He talks to us.
Romans 8:9 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.”
We have the mind of Christ. We will see what Christ wants us to see. We will have the necessary wisdom to understand and apply it. Over-thinking is not required, in fact it’s detrimental.
1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Proverbs 3:5–6, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Whatever you pray for will be answered if you received it from God through reading it in the Bible. Could be literal or figuratively. Of God makes it jump out to you, it’s His will
Many of the children we work with are living in nightmarish conditions. They come to us in a panic, many times over things and right now we can’t take them in. But we can teach them, help them with prayer and specific Bible verses to hold on to. Believe it or not, it works! While I I like reading the Bible figuratively and literally at the same time, I am thrilled when the Holy Spirit reveals something to me figuratively as well as literally, because that applies to the here and now. It shows me how to pray, and His will. If we pray according to His will He will give it to you. A healthy mix. Respect enough for the Word to research it, literally, and a healthy relationship between your spirit man and the Holy Ghost to see the allegory. There’s a healthy mix of taking the Bible Literally and Figuratively. And the results are incredible.
Pastor Chuch Smith said continuously ‘stay in the middle of the road’. The more I am pastoring and leading, the more delightful ‘staying in the middle of the road’ is.
2 Timothy 2:15 Rightly dividing the word of truth
Pureheart Update – DEAN IS WAITING ON HIS BIOPSY REPORT. PLS PRAY FOR GOOD RESULTS. God told me to go and do this, and I’m not finished yet until I have the orphanage and old folks home in place with great staff .
STILL WAITING FOR THE FINANCING IF THE ORPHANAGE AND OLD FOLKS HOME PUREHEART PREK, THE FEEDING CENTERS BIBLE STUDIES/ENGLISH CLASS, DISCIPLESHIP CLASS AND BIBLE STUDY continue to do well, and to grow, exponentially. Please continue what you are doing to keep us going.. WHATEVER YOU’RE DOING, IT’S WORKING!!. pray, donate, and spread the word!