“Let me remind you that we don’t interpret Scripture via signs; we interpret signs via Scripture. And generally speaking, God uses signs to confirm His Word, His will.”- Mark Batterson
“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up to heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.”- Mark 16:19-20 (KJV)
In Chapter 7 (“The Door to Bithynia”) of Whisper, Mark Batterson notes that, as Christians, we speak the language of the Holy Spirit. And door comprise one of His dialects: open doors and closed doors. Yes, in John 4:48, Jesus warned against signs and wonders as a litmus test of faith. However, when it comes to navigating the will of God, that doesn’t negate their value.
Furthermore, ignoring signs equates to ignoring the God who speaks through them. Also, Pastor Batterson cautions, signs are subject to interpretation. In other words, there’s a very fine line between reading signs and reading into them. Therefore, we must learn to read signs the same way we read Scripture – with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Mark exhorts us to make no mistake about it: God speaks through circumstances. Although Scripture provides direct evidence, circumstantial evidence also exists.
Most noteworthy, Mark observes, the language of doors requires the gift of discernment. The author defines discernment as “the ability to appraise a situation with supernatural insight. It’s prophetic perception that sees past problems and envisions possibilities. Simply put, it’s picking up what God is throwing down.”
In conclusion, Pastor Batterson reminds us that we interpret signs via Scripture, not vice versa. And the words with which Mark closes his gospel set a precedent: “signs following.”
Today’s question: How do you interpret signs via Scripture? Please share.
Coming Monday: the latest Short Meditation, “My God – the strength of my soul”
Tomorrow’s blog: “Discerning the will of God – knowing His heart”
