A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 4: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Commun i on: The I nward Di sc i p l i nes 119

a. All Scripture is “God-breathed,” 2 Tim. 3.16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. b. The Scriptures were written specifically for our instruction and encouragement, Rom. 15.4 – For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (cf. Ps. 19.7-11). c. No prophecy of Scripture arises from someone’s own interpretation but rather by the Holy Spirit, 2 Pet. 1.19-21 – And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, [20] knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpreta tion. [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. d. Only the Holy Spirit can illumine our hearts to the meaning of the Scriptures, 1 Cor. 2.14-15 – The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually dis cerned. [15] The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

6. Central principles

a. Their correct interpretation will not allow anything to be taken from, or added to them, and they must be