Comprehension VS. Inspiration: Why Comprehension is Essential for Biblical Inspiration

What does it mean to be inspired? Inspiration can be understood as an emotional response to an experience that compels a person to take action. People are inspired and moved every day by things like art, their conversations, speeches they hear, nature, etc. But Scripture has also been known to have a moving effect on people.

The Bible is often viewed as a source of inspiration. Within the 66 books that make up this sacred Canon, we can find encouragement for the times we need it most. And let's be honest, the brokenness of our world can at times cause feelings of frustration, disappointment, sadness, anger, and anxiety. So, it makes sense that we would turn to God’s Word for answers or inspiration.
It’s tempting to dive into the Scriptures for guidance on major decisions or to be uplifted when we find ourselves in a difficult situation. But when we prioritize inspiration over comprehension, we minimize the Bible as merely a tool to serve us, instead of a means God gives us to learn more about Him. In other words, in our quest for inspiration and encouragement, we approach the Scriptures with a resolve to be self-focused instead of God-focused. 
So what does comprehension mean? 
Comprehension is simply the ability to understand something. Thus, Biblical comprehension speaks to our ability to establish a contextual understanding (cultural, historical, geographical, etc.) of the Biblical passages we engage with. Sometimes it is important to prioritize comprehension, or understanding, over receiving some special revelation from the Scriptures. 
Why? Because there will be times when we come across books or passages that leave a lot to be desired. For instance, the Book of Leviticus. This book of the law does not exactly leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, as it lays out the specifics of proper worship, which includes a lot of animal sacrifices. It is hard to find inspiration from verses like:

And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron's sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar. And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys. Then Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord (Leviticus 3:2-5, ESV).

So when we come across such passages, we may be more inclined to write it off as being unworthy of our attention because it does not affirm us in some way or speak directly to our specific situation. 

But when we prioritize comprehension when reading books like Leviticus, we see that through those gory sacrifices, God’s aim is to atone the sins of the people so that they might experience His presence. Why? Because God desires to be with His people! This is the beauty of Biblical or Scriptural comprehension! 

Scripture is where God reveals Himself to us—His nature, His character, His power, His heart. Hence, comprehension increases our knowledge of God, which causes us to see and respond to Him properly. If we are to know God deeply, then we must resolve to read for comprehension, not just inspiration. 

Comprehension helps shift our focus from our circumstances to the One who is able to change our circumstances. True inspiration comes when there is proper understanding.
As we continue reading through the Bible, we will come across more chapters and verses that don’t exactly move us to take action or cause us to feel hopeful about our unique situations. And that is okay. When we find ourselves reading what we cannot relate to or what we do not fully understand, let’s shift our perspective. Instead of skipping over those verses, let's come to the text with a shovel and start digging for understanding. Because what we read today may not seem useful now. But as the old saints used to say, I believe “we’ll understand it by and by.”