Some passages of the Bible are easily accessible and make a lot of sense. Others are complex, but every time someone goes to read it, they learn something new, making it intriguing and engaging to read. Still, some passages are difficult to understand, even for pastors and theologians. Despite approaching the passage again and again, it is hard to understand personally, and difficult for there to even be theological consensus among scholars.

What Makes Some Bible Passages Difficult to Understand?

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Faith is seeing the facts, taking the next step to believe in the miraculous, and learning how to love God in a personal and emotional way.

People are, in their flesh, selfish creatures. They look out for their own interests first and foremost. But the Creator is the God of love and of giving. He gave life, purpose, and ultimately a path for people separated from Him to have a relationship with Him through a sacrifice. When people model sacrifice, it is inspirational, as they begin to behave less like sinners and more like God.

The Bible is full of stories of courage, of repentance, and of people making sacrifices, many of which point toward the greatest sacrifice of all – the one that changed the world.

Studying a variety of different kinds of sacrifices helps us understand the nature of surrendering what we want for the sake of other. This can illuminate the complexities of human nature, and the power of transformation brought on by the love of God.

Here are eight powerful stories of sacrifice from the Bible.

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Each person exists in the physical and the spiritual realms, and there are struggles in both of these aspects of life. When thinking about difficulties we face in the visible world – the physical side of life – it is easy to list off trials. From natural disasters, to sickness, to aging, to the antagonism of others, many feel inundated by the real hardships of living in a sinful world.

But there is another realm, one where angels and demons are real, and where prayer has great influence. Like with all things spiritual, because of the intangible nature of spiritual warfare, there are many things about it that are confusing. It is in the best interests of the enemy, the Devil, to confuse Christians about how to best fight him.

Some of these errors are more common in different denominations, and others are more or less prominent in different cultures, but they all manifest themselves across the Christian faith.

Here are seven things Christians get wrong about spiritual warfare.

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Some people walk away from religions because of bad experiences, emotional pain, or even severe abuse. This occurs in every faith on earth, including cults, polytheistic religions, and the Abrahamic religions. The Christian Church is certainly not immune from inflicting negative experience on people.

While some bad encounters with faith can be shaken off, some are so severe it creates a trauma that can have lasting impacts that are disturbing to a person’s life. While people who know the healing power of the love of Jesus want someone to just accept Him, people who experienced religious trauma – both in and out of the church – may be reluctant to see the appeal.

Christians, and the church at large, should be cautious in how they approach someone coming from religious trauma. We must respect their experience. Jesus is the great Healer, and His example provides guidance for how to respond to religious trauma.

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One of the unique aspects of being human is that we can exert more control over our lives and the world around us than any other living being. Despite the unparalleled control anyone can exert over their body, their context, and their personal slice of life, it seems the more control people exert, the more anxiety they experience. Some fears are considered irrational, while others are very much rooted in the practical realities of life in a fallen world.

While God is outside of space and time, He sees our problems as we experience them, and He wants people to rest in Him, not to be driven by anxiety or fear. He gave humanity His written word – the Bible – to instruct and communicate His will, but also to provide comforting truth. It is full of repeated assurances that He is in control, and that there is no need to fear if our trust and faith is in Him.

For the believer, there are wonderful guarantees of material and spiritual provision, of justice, of mercy, and so much more. God is in control of everything, so this list is not exhaustive, but it is meant to inspire and remind anyone experiencing anxiety that there is someone who wants to carry those burdens with you, and to walk alongside you.

Here are three things over which God has control:

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Not every church acknowledges the difficulty that single adults can face fitting in with the programming, no matter how hard the pastoral team may try to incorporate them. Often unintentionally, churches can make people who are unmarried feel unwelcome and unwanted. Other churches may have ministries for singles that are focused on getting those people into relationships. More common is making the mistake that singles are all young people, or do not include opportunities for widows and divorced individuals to have fellowship.

This discomfort can be felt particularly on Valentine's Day, when the world – and sometimes the church – puts all their emphasis on love, relationships, and marriage. Surveys show that Valentine’s Day is difficult for millions of people, and it is important to remember that as believers, we can be an encouragement to people who are feeling isolated or left out.

Here are four ways to encourage your single friends this Valentine’s Day.

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All people are composed of multiple parts, being a body, a mind, and a soul. These parts of the self are all subject to highs and lows that need to be tended to, or kept healthy. When trying to keep the body healthy, we generally know to exercise, eat good foods, and get enough sleep. The mind needs to be kept healthy by practicing good habits for mental health, including practicing gratitude, having an appropriate amount of social interaction, and setting goals.

For many in the secular world, these two categories are where self-care stop. Christians however, recognize that all humans are spiritual beings with a soul and a spirit. That part of each person needs to be nurtured as well, and be in a state that is spiritually healthy.

For the believer, that state would include being in fellowship with God, in right accord with other believers as much as possible, and exhibiting growth in the Fruit of the Spirit.

Here are seven signs of a spiritually healthy believer.

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Prayer is one of the most important ways of building a relationship with God, it’s the way to have a direct conversation with Him. It is a time to build intimacy with the Creator, the Savior, the Comforter. Once someone repents of their sin and begins to pursue that relationship with the Lord, they learn that being in fellowship with Him means having good communication. Sometimes the flesh still exerts power over the believer, even in their prayer life. There is a right way and a wrong way to approach the throne of God. While the Bible does say the Holy Spirit can translate our groanings, it does not say the Spirit will make bad intentions, inappropriate requests, or an unfaithful heart seem right to the Father.

Here are five wrong ways to pray.

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Songs of praise are written to glorify God, giving them a universality that allows them to be shared between believers across time, across languages, and across cultures. The Psalms have been translated and adapted over the centuries to be sung in synagogues and churches. Each one can hold fresh new meaning for people, but sometimes understanding what it meant in its day to the original writer can bring insight and a deeper understanding to one's walk with God, or what the Holy Spirit wants people to learn from it.

All of the Psalms were written by Hebrews living in the nation of Israel, and when interpreting one of these poems, it is crucial to remember that. Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”

This declaration was an assurance to the nation of Israel they are blessed, and a reminder they are called to be His. Today, believers can take comfort in knowing that everyone is called to follow the Lord, and that through the blessing from Israel of the Messiah, they too can be adopted into this family.

Nations should also take seriously the blessings that come from following the Lord, though ultimately Jesus will sit on the throne and rule and reign from Jerusalem in Israel. Everyone who is faithful and follows after God is blessed, but the Jewish people are still His chosen nation.

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Sometimes we can feel hopeless, like there is nothing to be done to support brothers and sisters who are suffering. God assures His people that He loves them and sees them, but He also encourages Christians to love and support one another. Even at a distance, there are ways to support persecuted believers through prayer and practical action.

Mentioned in one historical record during the reign of King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba was a real ruler whose life has been subject to intense scrutiny among Biblical scholars and secular historians. Her presence in the Bible can be perplexing, but when we are open to what the Holy Spirit wants to teach us, she can give insight into God’s plan, the political situation of Israel at that time, and important spiritual lessons.

For anyone who is wondering about the basics of walking on the straight and narrow road of Christianity, this verse is an excellent starting point. Paul’s succinct explanation for how to get through this life with joy, patience, and faithfulness is the beginning of growing the fruits of the Spirit.

One of the best ways to get close to God at this time of year is to talk to Him. While we pray, we grow closer to the living God. These prayers can also help Christians focus on others, and on creating moments of peace in their lives and home.