Ask the Right Questions

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Corinthians 10:11)

One reason believers get confused when they read the Bible is that they don't stop to ask the right questions. They read a passage and immediately try to apply it to their lives without first asking, “Who is God talking to here?” “Where are they?” “What condition are they in?” and “Why is He saying this to them?”

These are not complicated questions, but skipping them will always lead to trouble. When you read the Old Testament, you need to understand who those people were. The children of Israel were not born again. Their spirits had not been reborn. Jesus had not yet come. The blood had not yet been shed. They were people who believed God by faith for what was coming, and God credited them for that faith. But their situation was fundamentally different from yours.

Paul said that the things that happened to Israel were written for our admonition, instruction, warning, and learning. They are valuable and inspired, but not all are written directly to you. You must divide the Word of truth rightly.

This is not about picking and choosing which parts of the Bible to believe; it's about understanding the context so you can apply what God is saying correctly. A doctor who prescribes the same medication to every patient regardless of their condition is not a good doctor. Context matters. Ask the questions: “Who is He talking to?” “Where are they?” and “Why is He saying it?” This discipline alone will transform how you read and receive the Word.

Practical Application

The next time you read a Scripture passage, pause before applying it and ask: Who is God addressing here, and what is their condition? Let the context deepen your understanding and make the Word more active in your life, not less.

Hebrews 6:6; Hebrews 6:13