Why Are Bible Principles Important?

1 THE Bible is a very old book. It started to be written about 3,500 years ago and was completed almost 2,000 years ago. Yet its pages contain “the word of God,” which is alive and exerts power (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17). Millions of people can testify that the Bible helps them handle the problems of modern life.

2 But how is it possible for such an ancient book to be practical today? For two reasons. First, the Bible’s message comes from “the living God,” our Creator and the wisest Person in the universe (1 Tim. 4:10; Rom. 16:26, 27). Second, the Bible contains principles that do not change with time. Those principles remain useful no matter when people live or what challenges they face.

The Bible is a very old book because it began to be written about 3,500 years ago and was completed almost 2,000 years ago. It is still practical because it comes from the living God and contains principles that never go out of date.

Hebrews 4:12 shows that God’s Word is still alive and powerful. Times may change, but Jehovah’s wisdom and human spiritual needs do not.

3 What are Bible principles? Why are they so important for us? How can we identify them when we read the Bible? This article will answer those questions. It will also show how Jesus’ teachings highlight the value of principles.

This article will explain what Bible principles are, why they matter so much, and how we can identify them when reading the Bible.

It also shows that Jesus helped his followers look beyond a written law and grasp Jehovah’s way of thinking.

4 Bible principles are basic truths that form the basis for God’s laws. You could say they are the reasons behind the laws. In Jehovah’s case, his laws always rest on a good reason. Sometimes a principle is stated directly in a law (Matt. 22:37). However, principles are always greater than laws. Laws tend to be more specific and limited in application. They may be given for a particular situation or time. But Bible principles reflect Jehovah’s thinking more broadly and can be applied in different circumstances and periods (Ps. 119:111). Laws may change. Principles never wear out or become outdated (Isa. 40:8).

Bible principles are foundational truths that reveal the reason behind Jehovah’s laws. Laws can be specific and limited, but principles reflect Jehovah’s thinking and apply in every period of time.

Understanding a principle helps us know what pleases Jehovah even when there is no direct rule for the exact situation we face.

5 To understand the difference better, think of this illustration. A mother may tell her small child: “Do not touch the stove fire!” That is a command, or a law. But the principle behind it is that the child should not touch anything hot because it can cause harm. That principle applies not only to the stove but also to an iron, a heater, or anything else hot that can cause burns. The law may change when the child grows up, but the basic principle does not.

The difference becomes clear in the illustration of a mother telling her child not to touch the stove fire. The law may change as the child grows, but the principle of avoiding what causes harm remains the same.

That illustration shows how principles train the mind instead of simply forbidding one isolated action.

6 Moved by love, Jehovah gives us specific laws that help us avoid many dangers (Jas. 2:11). In addition, he helps us understand the principles, or ideas, behind those laws. In his Word he also gives guidance in many areas of life where there is no specific law. Bible principles help us make good decisions and do what is right. By giving us such principles, Jehovah dignifies us by allowing us the freedom to make decisions that show that we love him and respect his standards (Gal. 5:13).

Jehovah guides us with specific laws and also with principles that help us decide wisely where no detailed rule exists. That dignifies us because it allows us to show love and maturity.

Jehovah does not treat us like machines. He trains us to reason and act from conviction, not mere pressure.

7 To understand how Bible principles help us, think of traffic signs in many countries. Some signs give laws, such as the speed limit or when to stop. However, other signs warn of danger. They may say the road is slippery or that animals may cross. Seeing such warnings, an experienced driver uses good judgment and drives with caution. In a similar way, a Christian not only carefully avoids conduct specifically condemned in the Bible but also avoids any thought or action that could lead to breaking God’s laws. That requires good judgment.

Bible principles are like warning signs. They do not merely tell us what is forbidden; they help us use good judgment to stay away from what could lead to sin.

A mature Christian does not ask only where the line is. He chooses to stay well away from spiritual danger.

8 When we work hard to find the principles contained in the Bible and then live by them, we gain other important benefits. For example, we learn to think as Jehovah thinks about certain matters. As we read Scriptural accounts, we try to draw practical lessons from them. Then we ask why those lessons were included in the Bible and how we can apply them in life. In that way, we learn to use our “power of reason” to serve Jehovah. We also prove to ourselves “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (read Romans 12:1, 2).

Searching for Bible principles teaches us to think as Jehovah thinks and to use our power of reason in sacred service.

Romans 12:2 shows that a renewed mind stops copying the world and learns to discern what pleases God.

9 Learning to live according to Bible principles helps us become mature Christians. By applying those principles, our relationship with Jehovah improves (read Hebrews 5:13, 14). Small children may need a long list of rules to know how to act in many situations. But Jehovah does not treat us as little children but as mature adults. He trusts us to make decisions in harmony with his will, and when we do, we greatly rejoice his heart.

Living by principles helps us become mature and strengthens our friendship with Jehovah. He trusts us to make wise decisions that bring him joy.

Obedience based on principle shows genuine love, not just fear of punishment.

10 When we try to draw lessons from the Bible, we find principles that help us understand how Jehovah views matters. And when we work to discover the reasons behind certain laws, we can identify principles too. The better we understand those reasons, the better we understand Jehovah’s way of thinking. To do that, we should ask for his help and train our own thinking ability. We can ask questions such as: “Why did God establish this law? If Jehovah disapproves of this conduct, what would he think of a similar one? What lesson do I draw from this Bible account? And how can I apply it in my life?”

We identify principles by looking for the reason behind Bible laws and accounts. That requires prayer, meditation, and thoughtful questions that uncover Jehovah’s way of thinking.

Proverbs 2:10-12 reminds us that trained thinking ability becomes a protection.

11 In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us how to identify Bible principles. In each case, he first mentioned the law and then revealed the idea or principle behind it. By thinking deeply about what he revealed, we can understand how to apply those principles in our life today and see the practical benefits of them.

Jesus taught us by first quoting a law and then revealing the deeper principle behind it.

That method helps us avoid staying on the surface of a command and instead grasp Jehovah’s moral and spiritual intent.

12 (Read Matthew 5:21, 22.) “You must not murder.” What is one principle behind that law? Jehovah does not want us to hate others, whether that hatred shows itself in our actions and words or remains only in our thoughts. Jesus indicated that even if a person never actually murders anyone, hating his brother still violates the principle behind the law. The same attitudes and actions can lead to murder.

One principle behind “You must not murder” is that Jehovah hates bitterness, hateful speech, and the kind of anger that grows in the heart.

Jesus made clear that Jehovah examines the heart. Hatred is the root of murder and must be removed early.

13 How can we apply the principle of Matthew 5:21, 22 today? By fighting resentment and grudges. Those feelings can stir up hatred in the heart and lead to hurtful words or actions. These include gossip and slander, which can damage or ruin another person’s reputation. Long before there were social networks, blogs, the internet, or messaging apps, Jesus had already given a principle that helps mature Christians use such tools without falling into their dangers.

We apply this principle by fighting resentment and refusing to spread gossip, slander, or any speech that damages another person’s reputation.

This principle also governs how we use social media and messaging tools, because Jehovah does not approve of “murdering” someone’s reputation.

14 (Read Matthew 5:27, 28.) “You must not commit adultery.” What principle lies behind this law? Jehovah hates not only sexual immorality itself but also the thoughts that can lead to it. Jesus explained that if a married man keeps looking at a woman who is not his wife with the intention of feeling passion for her, he has already sinned. So immoral thoughts must be resisted at all costs. This principle also applies to single Christians.

Behind that law is the principle of mental purity. Jehovah condemns not only adultery as an act but also the thoughts and desires that prepare the way for it.

The fidelity Jehovah wants is not merely physical. It also includes what a person lets grow inside the mind.

15 How can we apply the principle of Matthew 5:27, 28 today? By not dwelling on immoral desires. Mature Christians obviously avoid every form of pornography. They do not excuse themselves by saying they are only looking and not doing anything immoral. Also, the principle Jesus gave shows what Jehovah thinks about immoral content distributed through modern media. It helps us understand that Jehovah strongly disapproves of practices such as sexting or virtual activities that imitate immoral acts.

We apply this principle by rejecting pornography in every form and refusing modern practices like sexting or any digital activity that feeds immorality.

A mature Christian does not search for technical loopholes. If something pollutes the mind or betrays purity, he knows it does not please Jehovah.

16 (Read Matthew 5:43, 44.) “Love your neighbor.” What principle lies behind this law? Jehovah wants us to view everyone as our neighbor and to treat them with love. Sadly, in Jesus’ day many Jews twisted that command and felt free to hate their enemies. But Jesus knew that was not the law’s purpose. He knew that his loving heavenly Father expects us to regard others as our neighbor regardless of race or nationality.

The principle behind loving our neighbor is impartial love. Jehovah wants us to treat all people kindly, no matter their race or nationality.

Jesus corrected any narrow or selfish use of the law and taught us to reflect the broad love of our Father.

17 How can we apply the principle of Matthew 5:43, 44 today? Love of neighbor moves us not to get involved in this world’s wars and conflicts. It also moves us to treat kindly people of a different race, nationality, or religion. Finally, it moves us to forgive those who harm us or our loved ones.

We apply it by remaining neutral in wars, treating people from every background kindly, and forgiving those who wrong us.

Love of neighbor is not just a feeling. It shows up in concrete decisions, even when those decisions involve forgiveness or refusing nationalistic pressure.

18 We are so grateful that Jehovah treats us like adults, not little children. He wants us to use Bible principles to make good decisions every day. And when we do so, we should be determined to understand “what the will of Jehovah is.” Love for Jehovah, not fear of punishment, will help us make decisions that agree with his will. And to help us do that, he has given us another gift: our conscience. That is what the next article will discuss.

We should be determined to understand Jehovah’s will and make decisions motivated by love for him. The next article will discuss the role of conscience.

Bible principles and conscience work together to help us serve Jehovah with maturity and conviction.