Principles are concise statements of timeless truth that emerge from careful observation, thoughtful reflection, prayerful dependence upon God, and faithful study. They help us move beyond the historical setting of a passage and recognize truths that remain relevant across cultures, generations, and circumstances.
Principles carry significance; it is essential that we discover them faithfully. The goal is never to impose our own ideas upon the passage, but to allow God's truth to emerge naturally from the text.
One of the great dangers in Bible study is searching for truths that support our opinions or confirm what we already believe. Our homiletics need to guard against that tendency by allowing Scripture to speak first.
Principles emerge from observation, Divisions, the Subject Sentence, the Aim, and Application Questions; they remain anchored to the passage rather than personal preference.
We do not create Principles to support our conclusions. Instead, we patiently observe, thoughtfully reflect, prayerfully seek God's wisdom, and allow enduring truths to emerge naturally from the passage itself.
Every Principle should grow out of what God has already revealed—not out of what we hope to find.
Principles emerge from the Divisions of a passage; each Division will normally yield one primary Principle. Rather than collecting numerous truths within a single Division, we seek to discover the principal truth God is emphasizing through that movement of thought.
A passage with three Divisions will often produce three Principles.
The Holy Spirit illuminates the text, guides our reflection, and often impresses specific truths upon our hearts. Different believers studying the same passage may recognize different Principles while remaining faithful to the text. One believer may be impressed by a Principle related to faith, another may recognize the call to obedience, another may be drawn to God's faithfulness, while someone else may see a truth about spiritual growth. If those Principles emerge naturally from the passage, remain faithful to its meaning, and harmonize with the whole of Scripture, they may all be legitimate.
While the Holy Spirit may impress different truths upon different believers, He will never lead us away from the meaning of the passage He inspired.
(An Extract from "Walking Through God's Word")
