2.4.2
SIX HINDRANCES TO PROPER INTERPRETATION
There can be many hindrances to the proper interpretation of God’s Word. We will examine six of them that lead to mistakes in interpretation. Remember that no one is immune from mistakes. It is wise, in addition, to remember the admonition from Paul found in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
1 CARNALITY.
The first hindrance to proper interpretation is Carnality. Carnality involves an ongoing sinful lifestyle and is often referred to as "fleshly" (1 Cor 3:3). It means that the Believer has chosen to pursue sin through "deeds of the flesh" rather than be led by the Holy Spirit and see His fruit (Gal 5:19-23). This is life with unconfessed sin (1 John 1:9) and lack of repentance (2 Cor 12:21).
If one who studies God’s Word is involved in deeds of the flesh - immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing and things like these (Gal 5:19-21) - then his interpretation will surely be flawed. For instance, a teacher who is involved in sexual immorality would clearly have the tendency to distort passages that deal with that subject.
Since truth is revealed by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) and the "fleshly" man has chosen to pursue a path of life apart from the leading of the Holy Spirit (if even for a short period of time), the "fleshly" man will get a distorted understanding of truth since he is not "spiritually appraising" the Word.
The "fleshly" man is similar to the "natural man" (1 Cor 2:14), but slightly different. The "natural man" refers to an unbeliever who, "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 Cor 2:14). The "natural man" does not have access to the Spirit while the "fleshly/carnal" man is not in fellowship with the Spirit. Neither will be able to correctly understand God’s Word.
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