To apply one's mind purposefully to the acquisition of knowledge or understanding of (a subject).
To read carefully.
To memorize.
To take (a course) at a school.
To inquire into; investigate.
To examine closely; scrutinize.
To give careful thought to; contemplate: study the next move.
To apply oneself to learning, especially by reading.
To pursue a course of study.
To ponder; reflect.
Western culture honors those who are skilled with their minds. (eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) God does not seem to put nearly as much value on “great thinking” as people do….
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Counselor vs. Teacher
A teacher offers information so that you can determine / evaluate with your mind the way you choose to go
1. Genesis 2:9
And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
2. Genesis 2:17
but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
3. James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (this kind of wisdom is very different from the wisdom of this world which is attained through much study and experience. This wisdom is a 'gift'. Consider Solomon)
A Counselor guides you in the way you should go. His counsel is to be received and obeyed
1. John 14:16
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—
2. John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
3. John 15:26
"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
4. John 16:7
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
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The Word ‘study’ used in the scriptures just a few times – yet the church puts huge emphasis on the ‘study’ of Gods Word. The following 6 scriptures are the only references in the Bible to the word “study”. It’s amazing to see how we have misinterpreted the meaning of this word, and in doing so have moved the focus of hearing Gods voice from the Heart to the Mind.
1. Ecclesiastes 1:13 (NIV)
I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
Eccl 1:13 (KJV)
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
2. Ezra 7:10 (NIV)
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
Ezra 7:10 (KJV)
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
3. Ecclesiastes 12:12And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study (3854) is a weariness of the flesh.
Hebrew Strong's Number: 3854
Hebrew Word: לַהַג
Transliteration: lahag
Phonetic Pronunciation: lah'-hag
Root: from an unused root meaning to be eager
Cross Reference: TWOT - 1078a
Part of Speech: n m
Vine's Words: None
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
study 1 [Total Count: 1]
from an unused root meaning to be eager; intense mental application :- study.
4. 1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that ye study (5389) to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Greek Strong's Number: 5389
Greek Word: φιλοτιμέομαι
Transliteration: philotimeomai
Phonetic Pronunciation:fil-ot-im-eh'-om-ahee
Root: middle voice from a compound of
Cross Reference:
Part of Speech: v
Vine's Words: Aim
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
strive 1 labour 1 study 1 [Total Count: 3]
middle from a compound of
to be fond of honor, i.e. emulous (eager or earnest to do something) :- labour, strive, study.
5. 2 Timothy 2:15
Study (4704) to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Greek Strong's Number: 4704
Greek Word: σπουδάζω
Transliteration: spoudazō
Phonetic Pronunciation:spoo-dad'-zo
Root: from
Cross Reference: TDNT - 7:559,1069
Part of Speech: v
Vine's Words: Diligence, Diligent, Diligently, Endeavor
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
endeavour 3 do diligence 2 be diligent 2 give diligence 1 be forward 1 labour 1 study 1 [Total Count: 11]
from
6. John 5:39-40 (NIV)
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,
yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
John 5:39 (KJV)
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
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John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
1. Emphasis about the importance of the Holy Spirit in enabling people to hear Gods Voice!
2. How can we know the Holy Spirit is living inside us?
3. Can we be a believer and not have the Holy Spirit?
4. More on this subject next week!
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“Mind” used 132 times (in the KJV)
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
“Heart” 884 used times (in the KJV)
Deuteronomy 30:14
No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart (not mind) that I might not sin against you.
Jeremiah 15:16
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
