The Principle of Proper Interpretation and Presentation of the Truth states that "Truths presented with clarity and no ambiguity by the power of the Holy Spirit; haven gone through a process of preparation and a complete grasp of purpose, leaves the audience with no other option but brokenness." It further explains that, the minister must first have the knowledge of the Truth in order to present the Truth. Malachi 2:7 says; "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts."

 

Now this Scripture seems to be divided into two; the first part says "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge." It means light, guidance and direction should come from the mouth of the priest isn't it? So, folly, unguarded utterances, ignorance and wrong knowledge is not supposed to be on the mouth of the priest. No wonder God says; "because the priests has refused knowledge, I have also refused them." This is one of the most demanding responsibility I have ever known. If the priest is ignorant, and he is leading an ignorant people they will both end up in the ditch. The second part of that Scripture is an instruction for the followers. It says: "They should seek the law from his mouth." Why?

 

Firstly, because knowledge is found on his lips. Secondly, he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. So, it means that if knowledge is not found on the lips of a priest, he or she does not deserve to be followed isn't it? And he stands the risk of been rejected as the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. Hosea 4:6 says; "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also talking about will reject you from being priest for Me" (emphasis added). Did we see that?  So, a priest has an obligation to know the Truth and not just knowing the Truth, but also present the Truth rightly. And this is exploits itself.

 

Now in this case who is the Truth? The word! Jesus Christ, He said I am the way, the Truth and the life, having found Christ the Truth, speak about Him as the only Truth and if you must speak about Him you require a mouth and a wisdom. The Scripture says “know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free.” in other words know the Truth, find the Truth and haven found it, let it becomes a weapon in your hand to set yourself free and others also. The psalmist said "I rejoice at thy word like a man that has found a great spoil." You must seek the word and until you find it please don't speak. What do I mean by that? Anybody can read the letters of the Scripture, but until you engage it with the Spirit of life it is of no relevance.

 

I want us to see a Scripture in 2 Timothy 2:15. It says; "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth."  And also, Jeremiah 23:29; “Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"  This is how sensitive the office of a spiritual leader or a preacher is; it is about handling a fire, and also using a hammer which requires both skills and concentration any mistake or carelessness could result in casualties of destinies. Accidental discharge is not permitted in the kingdom, precision and skill is required. So, it is required that the man of God is thoroughly furnished for every good work. Show me a thoroughly furnished preacher and I will show you an audience willing to sit and be blessed. How does the furnishing come? By diligence, by completing the process (school of the spirit), in order to divide the word rightly. This principle strongly advice that caution be taken in the presentation of Truths.

 

Apostle John made an insightful statement in 1John 1:1, it says; "That which was from the beginning, which we heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life." This is a complete understanding of the Truth, a first-hand experience with the Truth, this is an Apostle that has been with the Truth, heard the Truth, seen the Truth, and has handled the Truth which we could also call the word of life. You that has been handling the word of life, you that is a titled man of God, what is your experience? Have you found the word? Are you aware that the Truth is meant to cut the heart of the people? What has been the result of the Truths you have been presenting so far?

 

These are important questions we need to ask ourselves and answer correctly with all sincerity. If anyone goes through this process Apostle John just spoke about, he would definitely reproduce the same results that the Apostles of the lamb produced. This principle explains that if exploits must be recorded in ministry by proper interpretation and presentation of the Truth then such a preacher must have had a first-hand experience with the word of life.

 

Apostle Peter made a similar statement in Acts 4:20. He said; "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”  What have you seen in the word of life? What have you heard about the word of life? Men and women who make exploits with the Truth are men and women who have seen, heard and their hands have handled of the word of life. Have you now realized why Apostle Paul said "rightly dividing the word of Truth? The Truth is like a double edge sword, and must be handled with caution. There are Truths you will see via visions and from the pages of the Scriptures, there are Truths you will hear via the still small voice, and there are also Truths you will need to apply to produce results-this Truth your hands must handle, the Truth you know can do wonders in your life and the lives of others if you receive apply and present them correctly. The Truth is meant to set free not to destroy or put people into bondage or further drive them into blindness and ignorance. How do you know you are making exploits in ministry? The result and the product of the Truth proving itself and speaking for itself.

 

Bible says; concerning prophet Samuel that "the Lord appeared to Samuel again in Shiloh by the Word." And the Lord watched the word of Samuel and made sure non fell to the ground, and because of that he was established as a prophet in Israel. The reason why your word will fall, the reason why your word won't carry power is because you speak words that didn't appear to you, the words that you didn't handle, the words you didn't hear. Because Samuel was speaking what the Lord had told him, not of those words fell and by His exploits with those words he was established as a prophet. The Truth will also establish you among God's people as you seek to encounter it. 

 

The Bible speaking in Lamentations 3:37 saying; "Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the LORD has not commanded it?"  Samuel made exploits because he spoke what God commanded him to speak, Moses did signs in Egypt because he did what God asked him to do, what is God asking you to speak about? God will not confirm that He didn't ask you to speak about. Jesus said; "What I hear my Father say, I say; what I see him do, I do; and My judgement is true." If your father is making exploits, in what he does will it not be wise to be a smaller expression of Him? We don't compete in the kingdom, we don't generate our own Truths, we complement and supply one another as member of the same body with the Truths that we have been given, that we have heard until we all come to the measure of the fullness of the stature of Christ. Jesus said; "What I do you will do and even greater works than this you will do also" So say what the Father is saying, and do what the Father is doing and you will never miss out of exploits.

 

There are two basic ways among many ways that Truth can be communicated or presented. The other ways depend on the leading of the Holy Spirit. But the two ways I will be discussing in a few moments for now, has been proven to be true and effective. The Scripture says in Matthew 7:29 "For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."  Meaning that there was a way the Scribes were presenting the Truth that didn't produce any effect. So, you would agree with me that through presentation of Truths a people could easily discern if the presenter has authority or not. The fact is this; "except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" Except your Truth is adequately presented and substantiated it will by no means have the power to bring a people from darkness into light.

 

In the next part of this article, I will be sharing with us the two basic ways that Truth can be communicated or presented. But I believe you have been able to see here why it is important as ministers to first have a proper understanding of the Truth and the way and manner to go about the interpretation, through the help of the Holy Spirit.

 

I believe you have been blessed.

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Apeh Francis Abah!

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