The Daily Guide
Picturing God's truths
I use an everyday illustration because human nature grasps truth more readily that way.
Romans 6:19 - J.B.Phillips' translation
We get a lot of the "everyday illustrations" of spiritual truth and counsel as you read God's Word! It's good to question yourself regularly as whether you are picturing those illustrations as accurately as you might. For example, one morning I read one of the everyday illustrations provided in the epistle of St James. In the Amplified Bible it said, "For the one who wavers is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither." That translated altered my picture putting it right. Previously I'd been picturing waves from the shore. I should have been picturing a surge out at sea. Now I saw how dramatic it illustrated what I'm like whenever I'm lacking in my resolve, that is to say, wavering. Ja.1:6.
It's important to get your pictures of scriptural illustrations put right so that you can view them as God intended. The words chosen for an illustration in a translation of God's Word may not be conveying to you the picture as the translators were trying to get across to you! Why does this happen? It happens because the illustrations were written and the translations made in a particular time and setting and you live in another. What can you do about this? Pray and request, "Lord, show me by Your Holy Spirit the picture I should have when I read an illustration in Your Word."
I use the New King James Version as my main Bible. It's word for word translation has tried and proven accuracy. At the same time, I often refer to other translations to see if the translator can enhance my insight into the messages of Christ and God's prophets. If the opportunity arises I recommend you do the same. Godly translators have given us a wealth of good, alternative, Bible translations designed to better enable us recognise the richness of God's wealth of counsel in His Word.
Let God's Spirit show you more
Copyright © 2006 P.F. (Simon) Measures
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