Something that I like to do is read word riddles and try to solve the puzzle. An example of such a riddle goes something like this:
Many years ago there was a man who decided to go on a trip with a goose, a fox, and a sack of corn. Somewhere along his journey he came to a river which he needed to cross, and he found a small boat to take him. However, the boat was very small, and only had enough room for him and one other thing, either the goose, the fox, or the sack of corn. He couldn’t take the corn with him and leave the goose and the fox together, because the fox would eat the goose. He couldn’t take the fox with him and leave the goose and the corn together because the goose would eat the corn. On top of that, once he brought those things across the river, he still needed to return back to get what he couldn’t take the first time, and the same rule applied that certain things couldn’t be left alone together. So how can the man get everything safely across the stream?
At first this puzzle might seem difficult to solve, but with a little bit of thought it is actually quite simple. First the man needs to take the goose with him in his boat across the river and then come back. Then he needs to take the fox over and bring the goose back. Then he needs to take the corn over and come back alone to get the goose. With all three safely across, the riddle is complete.
To be able to figure out this riddle it takes the ability of discernment, which is the ability to “perceive, recognize, or comprehend with the mind.” Another simple “riddle” could be something such as “four times four equals what?” To those who do not have the necessary brain knowledge to figure this problem out, such as a young kindergartner, this may seem like an incredibly difficult equation, but to those who have gained that knowledge and are able to discern the answer, the answer to this question is simple.
Before someone has been filled with the Holy Spirit of God, the Bible may seem like a giant puzzle, because they do not, at that time, have the gift of discernment to be able to understand all that is being taught. Simple things like “Jesus entered into a certain city” do not really require much to understand, but the things like “loving your neighbor as yourself” or “what is an obedient steward of Christ?” will take more discernment to be able to comprehend completely.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
Maybe you have had the opportunity to write with “invisible” ink before, which when written with will certainly appear invisible to anyone who looks at it, but with the application of a little bit of heat the writing will reveal itself. That is really quite similar to when someone comprehends the writings in the Bible. The Bible at first may seem a mystery to the unlearned, and this is why those who do not believe in Jesus cannot fully understand all of what is written in God’s Word. It takes the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lift the veil of mystery off of our mind’s eyes, and then we are able to understand the spiritual things of Christ.
So, just like King Solomon, seek after wisdom, and understanding. This was Solomon’s request to God; even though he could have chosen to receive riches and a long life, his request to God was that he could be filled with wisdom, and God gave him wisdom like “the sand that is on the sea shore.”
Without the knowledge and wisdom that comes from God, the Bible will remain a riddle, so let us always remember to pray that the Lord will increase us in knowledge and wisdom, so that we can be able to discern the mysteries of God.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 