Why I Pray for Understanding

To emphasize the importance of discernment the preacher remarked that Christianity was a thinking religion. Dissatisfied, one woman quipped, “If they would just tell me what I need to do, I could do that.” (No thinking.)

A friend told me about his experience in the church of his youth. He had questions. He asked questions. He wanted understanding. He was shut down with answers like, “That’s just the way it is.”

A young lady visited several churches asking for help in understanding the Bible. Church folks kept telling her that she just needed to have faith.

Sometimes biblical teachings are clear and unmistakable. Yet, there are some teachings that are not so black and white. So, we need discernment.

You may remember Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. They were priests and had received instruction about offering incense to God. They decided to change God’s instruction and “offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.” (Leviticus 10:1) A person could reason that they did not break a command because what they did was not prohibited. And yet, they did something different than what they had been told to do. They should have applied discernment and reasoned that God’s specific instruction excluded their ‘strange’ incense mixture.

Jesus taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,’” a teaching from the Law of Moses regarding the strict application of justice. And yet, Jesus taught that God’s people should learn to turn the other cheek, that is, absorb an injustice. He was not updating the Law or superseding the Law but communicating the need to think about the strict application of the Law. After all, would you want to be the one to carry out the consequences of putting out someone else’s eye if your eye was accidentally put out?! The simple point is that unquestioned obedience to the Law would have Israel full of people who were crippled, one-eyed, missing teeth, etc. However, after giving thought to the outcome of strict obedience, voluntary mercy and forgiveness would prove to be a better way.

In the Parable of the Talents two of the servants were given a sum of money. They put the money to use for their master. However, another servant hid his money and later returned it to the master. He was rebuked because he should have known what to do. He should have thought more clearly!

After telling several of the parables Jesus concluded by saying, “He who has ears, let him hear.” This stood in stark contrast to the cry of the Old Testament prophets. They warned God’s people of divine judgment because the people had eyes but did not see and had ears but did not hear. Jesus was calling for ears that were attentive to His message in the parables. The people were to listen and then ponder the parables. Some of the parables have no further explanation. It appears that Jesus believed that those parables could be understood both then and now by applying discernment. At other times His listeners voiced their lack of understanding and asked Jesus to explain. To those who asked, He explained!

“Ask, and it will be given to you” applies to discernment in Bible study. It also applies to the application of Scripture in our daily lives. God did not speak to mankind and have His word recorded to keep understanding hidden. He wants us to understand! In the first psalm David wrote that he meditated on the Law day and night. He craved understanding and received it.

Wisdom tells us to study and meditate on God’s word, to strive for understanding. 

Wisdom tells us to ask. 

Remember to pray for understanding.

Mark Stinnett

September 7, 2025

Is the Bible Just about Law?

Several years ago my mother told me about a preacher who delivered a good biblical lesson which concluded with a plea to think and make personal application. He had left the application open-ended making each person responsible. The stay-at-home mom would have a different application than the doctor or the widow; different also than the application to the salesman or the school teacher.

Afterward a friend of my mom snorted, “Why can’t he just tell us what to do? It would be a lot easier if we knew the rules. I could do that.” Many would agree. There is something comfortable in a packaged set of rules. It’s neat and tidy. It’s brief and simple. It is not flawed like a command lacking precise definition such as: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

OOPS! Back up. Those were the words of Jesus drawn from the Law of Moses!

It is true, a packaged law code may sound simple, brief, and tidy. Yet it strikes against the two most important commands uttered by God in which the application is open-ended. Jesus commented on the two Great Commands saying:

On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets. 

 —Matthew 22:40 (NASB95)

In the Hebrew Scriptures ‘The Law’ was not simply the law code known as Law of Moses. It was the entire Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. ‘The Prophets’ included the historical books (Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings), as well as all the books of prophecy. So, Jesus was saying that God’s revelation, up to His point in time, depended on the two Great Commands. All scripture revolved around and was connected to the commands to love God and to love one’s neighbor which both had open-ended application.

We can thank a Jewish lawyer for pointing out the gray area, “Who is my neighbor?” Yet, Jesus gave an answer in the Parable of the Good Samaritan that showed that the lawyer had asked the wrong question. (Luke 10)

The statement from my mom’s friend suggested the same kind of thinking as the lawyer. On the surface it sounds good, “Just define the rules and we can follow.” “Give me a precise definition of ‘neighbor’ and I will comply.” And yet, that is the wrong approach.

Too often, people have reduced the Bible to a set of rules and tried to push those rules on others. As a result, many people have lost interest in the Bible.

In the late 1800’s there was a shift in biblical scholarship. Instead of the inspired Word of God many saw the Bible as mere ancient literature. The literary approach might have partly been a reaction to a legal approach, but it gave way to the view that truth is largely dependent upon history and culture. Based on the trend of modern biblical interpretation many 'Christian' groups have effectively stamped the word ‘Obsolete’ on the cover of the Bible.

However, the Bible still claims to be the inspired revelation of God. The Bible claims to be relevant in giving life answers regardless of location, time, cultural background, history or politics. So, one must either embrace the Bible in its entirety or reject the whole book. There is no middle ground.

The study and application of the Bible can be challenging. Not every question in life is answered directly, not every issue resolved by a single verse. However, if we are going to be true disciples of Jesus, we must devote ourselves to His Word. We will be wise to approach the Bible with a proper attitude and with a patient, thinking mind.


Mark Stinnett

July 27, 2025

Thinking about 'Thinking'

Sometimes we need to take a step back and think about things. It may sound odd, but I am thinking about thinking. Peter wrote:

Be of sound judgment and sober for the purpose of prayer. 

—1 Peter 4:7

Together, the two terms, sound judgment and soberness, carry the idea of clear thinking and mental calmness. They follow in contrast to a series of terms that include drinking, sensuality, lust, and idolatry. Intoxication by alcohol and drugs affects the mind by physically interfering with the operation of thinking. The latter three terms refer to a muddling of the mind, yet without introducing a foreign physical substance. In all of these, the mind is unable to think clearly and calmly. Godliness is pushed out.

Can you remember a time when an important event was shown on the news? Perhaps it was war overseas, or tragedy in the U. S. Perhaps it was the presidential election returns or the report of severe weather with predictions of significant damage.

Whatever the case, do you remember having an intense desire to listen? You were focused on the television or radio or electronic device. You probably leaned in closely and may have turned your head slightly to hear better. Small insignificant noises around you were completely blocked out. Anyone not interested (kids) were asked to leave the room or “Shush!” If you had been feeling tired, you were suddenly wide awake…focused, but calm…mentally alert!

That is the mind that God wants: wide awake; focused, but calm; mentally alert. And the object of our focus is Christ.

The following passages show the importance of a sober mind focused on God:

Prepare your minds for action, keep sober. 

--1 Peter 1:13

A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 

--1 Corinthians 2:14

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

--Romans 12:2

Walk no longer just as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.

--Ephesians 4:17

Let no one deceive you with empty words.

--Ephesians 5:6

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

--Ephesians 6:18

God desires for us to have a clear mind. When our mind is muddled by chemicals, or passions, or just the distractions of the day, we will be drawn away from God and will miss out on His gracious help. A calm and clear mind requires genuine intent and constant attention.

Is your spirit clear and calm so you can pray?

Think about thinking…calmly and clearly.

Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 

 —Philippians 4:8

Mark Stinnett

May 5, 2024

Do You Love God With All Your Mind?

As kids we were taught to put our hand over our heart when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge was supposed to come from the heart, not the blood-pumping organ, of course.

Mind is much easier—point to your head, right? Or is that your brain? Mind, brain???

What does it mean when Jesus said that you should love God with all your mind?

When younger we got away with saying that Jesus was referring to one’s intellect. That sounded smarter than saying that Jesus wanted us to love him with all our thinking. Still, my friends and I didn’t know what that meant.

It’s true that intellect and thinking are associated with the mind. But what does that mean?

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word heart is translated as both heart and mind. There isn’t really a separate Hebrew word for mind. So, when the word heart appears in the Hebrew text, translators have to decide whether heart or mind makes sense for English readers. (You might find it interesting that an Israelite could have a gut feeling just like we do, only it came from the belly or from the kidneys.)

In the New Testament there is a Greek word that corresponds to the English word mind. As you would expect it describes thinking and understanding.

Paul taught that the church should have the same mind, instead of one person standing out with a haughty mind. Humility of mind is set against selfish conceit.

The Bible describes a depraved mind that is deprived of the truth but also a renewed mind that is transformed by being presented to God as a living and holy sacrifice. The mind can be fleshly but also led by the Spirit.

Paul reminds us in Colossians that we were “formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds.” (1:21) He later described the fleshly mind as “delighting in self-abasement [false humility] and the worship of angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen.” (2:18) In contrast, he encouraged, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things of the earth.” (3:2)

Conviction is found in the mind.

With the mind we sing. With the mind we pray. The mind instructs and receives instruction.

The mind is that part of an individual that is most closely associated with the spirit.

The mind is the part of us that thinks and understands. However, the word Jesus used for mind in His instruction was built off the usual word for mind, yet with a prefix suggesting an active element. It is the same word Peter used in when he encouraged, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action…” (1 Peter 1:13) and in his second letter when he said that he was “stirring up your sincere mind….” (3:1)

When Jesus admonished, “Love the Lord your God with all your mind,” He was looking deeper than mere thought. It was active thinking. It was more akin to the purpose, intent or planning of the mind that results in taking action.

It is the difference between thinking and being thoughtful. Thoughtfulness implies thought that anticipates the needs and wants of others. It suggests movement of the mind toward activity based on the thought.

Loving God with your mind implies intent followed by action.

Do you love God with all your mind?


Mark Stinnett

April 11, 2021

You Just Have to 'Stop'

No, I am not waxing philosophical; but have you ever thought about thinking? (Perhaps I could get you to consider it for just a moment.)

Have you ever been talking with someone and something they said forces a pause in the conversation, “I’ll have to think about that”?

People think about things in different ways. Some look up at the sky and tap or rub their chin and just think, think, think. Others look down at the ground and scratch their head and think, think, think. Some might prefer to talk it out; brainstorming ideas (with another person or even a wall). Others like a visual approach using pencil and paper, whiteboard and marker, or something similar. Whatever the case, two things are common to all: Pause...and ideas turning over and over in the mind.

James wrote, “Consider it all joy when you face various trials…” (James 1:2) I think he really meant for people to STOP...and then think about what he was writing.

When Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air… and observe the lilies of the field…” (Matthew 6:24, 26) I think he really meant for people to STOP...and take time to look and observe and THINK about the birds; to STOP...and take time to look and observe and THINK about the flowers.

Paul wrote:

   Finally, brethren, whatever is true,

      whatever is honorable,

      whatever is right,

      whatever is pure,

      whatever is lovely,

      whatever is of good repute,

   if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,

   dwell on these things.

                                                 --Philippians 4:8

What do you think Paul expected his readers to do???

Do you know why God's word is difficult to understand for some people? Do you know why some folks never find peace or comfort or help from God's word even though they read and read and read?

They never...stop! They never...think.

I know it sounds silly, but I'll leave you extra room at the end of this blog to give you 'extra time' to...stop...and think about the things Paul wrote...
stop...

and think...

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Seriously...you need to STOP…
And...think…