Is God’s Word Subjective Or Objective?

Robert Meredith

    God in His infinite love and wisdom has given unto man His word.  The Apostle Paul tells us that, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16).  The word “inspiration” in this verse means God breathed.  That is, God guided the writers of the Bible into the very words that He desired for them to use (see 1 Corinthians 2:9-13).  The Apostle Peter proclaimed, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).  Jesus promised the apostles this very thing (Matthew 10:19-20) and, therefore, man has God’s will in written form.

  One should truly appreciate and cherish God’s word.  Often one may hear some say something to the effect, “My feelings tell me that this is what a certain verse means.”  Many people approach the scriptures with a subjective view (based on feelings).  First, one must realize that God’s ways and thoughts are not the same as ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).  Also, one needs to consider the fact that feelings can be wrong.  Someone might tell you that your house is on fire.  If you believe them, it

is going to produce the same feeling, no matter whether your house is on fire or not.  Feelings are not a basis for truth.  On one occasion, Jacob was led to believe that his favorite son, Joseph, had been killed by a wild beast (Genesis 37:31-35).  He believed it and thus felt it; but his feelings were wrong.  Some honest and sincere people will contend that the Spirit of God places a feeling into their heart to confirm the meaning of a passage.  However, would the Holy Spirit place feelings into two or more groups of people teaching conflicting doctrines?  God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). 

  God’s word is objective truth.  The Apostle Paul commands us to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).  Man is to put forth the mental energy to study and rightly divide God’s word.  (Since God says to “rightly divide” the truth, this implies it can be wrongly divided.)  2 Timothy 2:15 shows us that truth if objective (See also Isaiah 1:18a).  Earlier in the New Testament, Paul penned, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4).  Truth must be read, studied and rightly divided.  Jesus said that man “shall know the truth” (John 8:32).  Some declare that we cannot understand it alike; but if we understand it, we understand it alike.  This is why Paul wrote, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  One can take the word of God and see if he is following after the faith which God has delivered unto us (Jude 3).

  Following God’s way will lead one to heaven, where the redeemed can be with God throughout eternity.  God’s word, if loved and obeyed from the heart, will save (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Acts 20:32; 1 Peter 1:22-23; Psalm 119:9; John 12:48; Matthew 13:15).  On the great day of Judgment, one will be judged by God’s word (John 12:48; Revelation 20:12), therefore, let us study it, live it and earnestly contend for it (Jude 3).