Summary note on background to the study
Transgression against the tradition of the elders.
Transgress the tradition of the elders. The word ‘elders’ literally means ‘old man’. Here it means the ancient or ancestors. The tradition of the elders meant something handed down from one to another by memory some precept or custom not commanded in the written law, but which scribes and Pharisees held themselves to observe.
They supposed that when Moses was on mount Sinai two sets of law were delivered to him.
One, they said was recorded, and is that contained in the old testament; the other was handed down from father to son and kept uncorrupted to their day. They believe that Moses, before he died, delivered this law to Joshua, he to the judges, they to prophets; so that it was kept pure until was recorded in the Talmud’s.
In those books these pretended laws are now contained. They are exceedingly numerous and very trifling. They are however regarded by the Jews as more important that their Moses or the prophets. Hence, scribes and Pharisees understanding is actually carnal in nature.
Definition of terms
Understanding
Mental, sometimes emotional, process of comprehension, assimilation of knowledge, which is subjective by its nature.
Ability to infer the full meaning of knowledge.
Concept of spiritual understanding. It is a revelatory understanding which the word of God pines i.e. a way of thinking.
Interpretation- mentality that transcends academic intellect.
INTRODUCTION
No wonder proverbs 4:7 says ‘Wisdom is the principal there; therefore, get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding’.
In another word, spiritual understanding is meant to make you spiritually wise and realize realities of mystery of God’s word.
Your human understanding and spiritual understanding are not in any way the same. As that is the core reason behind problem of Pharisees and Jews.
Differences between human understanding and spiritual understanding
Spiritual understanding causes you to have the personality God wants you to have (kingdom of God through Jesus Christ) while carnal understanding wants you to have personality of humanity- custom, tradition, education (O’ level, BSC, PHD)
Spiritual understanding prepares Christian for eternal life to come more importantly, whereas worldly understanding prepares man for universal standard in conformity to carnality- flesh e.g. philosophy.
Reflection- origin of man genesis 3.7
Man came to being through breath of life from God.
Who is God? John 4.24 2cor 3.17
Effect. And that is to say, you are a spirit being made of spirit coated in flesh. You are made of spirit through breath of life from God, when spirit of first man became corrupted by sin, then dispensation of holy spirit came after Christ ascension to serve as link of communication between believers and God.
Illustration of spiritual understanding
Now, what is your position?
What is our position?
What is our understanding of word of God? Human/carnal/worldly understanding or spiritual understanding?
Features of Christian with spiritual understanding
They prefer obedience to God than to man. Acts 5.29
Word of God is always measure of standard for their life style Matthew 4.4 proverbs 2. 1-5
They comply when it most seems inconvenient to nature/flesh- proverbs 3. 1-5, Philemon 1.21
Characteristics of believers without spiritual understanding
Love the life of human tradition mark 7. 9b 1 timothy 4.1-2
Such despise the commandment/directive of god irrespective of how frequent warning comes. Mark 7- 9a, 1 Thess 4-8
Exhibit harden heart and life of foolishness. (when wisdom is absent folly comes in) Hebrews 3:16 Psalm 14: 1, 3
They are not consistent in Christ like attitude. Titus 1:16 Matthew 23:3
Conditions for acquiring spiritual understanding
Study the scripture with excitement and serious appetite. Joshua 1:8 Colossians 3:16
Readiness to abide within premise of God’s word. John 15: 4
Submission to leading of holy spirit. John 16: 13-14
Conclusion
God’s ultimate in this world is not to give you money, a car, a great career rather, He wants the word in your spirit, because with the word of God and spiritual understanding of Him in you, you can become who God wants you to be.
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