The Scriptures are Not Subjective

Photo by Dun.can

This blog ought to have been February 9, 2017

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:20

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,

Insights: We live in a world that often mishandles God’s Word.  Too many people approach the Bible in order to make it say whatever they want it to say.  This methodology is called eisegesis and it literally means to draw in.  We go to the Scriptures and we make them say what we want them to say to fit our desires.  Another way of saying the same thing is we look for a proof text to justify our position.  Beloved, this method is subjective to your whims and is not the way the Lord would have us approach the Bible.  Rather, we ought to approach the Scriptures using the methodology called exegesis which means to draw out.  In other words, we draw out of the Scriptures It’s intent and not put into It our intent.  The Scripture speaks and interprets itself and we then bend and mold our lives to come into compliance with It, and not us bending the Scriptures to make them comply with our desires.  The book of Hebrews tells us in the fourth chapter and the twelfth verse, “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow.  It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.”  When we understand the authority of the Bible, we then are able to understand that we cannot subjectively manipulate the Biblical passages we read.  It does the penetrating and changing of us.  Let us let It work on our very soul and become subject to It’s authority which is given by the Lord God Himself.

Questions:

1. Have you ever found yourself approaching the Scriptures with the intent to make them say what you want them to say?

2. Are you given comfort in knowing the Lord God has an intended message to communicate to you?

Prayer: Father, all too often I have tried to make the Scriptures say what I want them to say instead of letting You communicate to me through Your Word.  Forgive me of those times I approach Your Word in an inappropriate manner.  Grant me Your grace to interpret Your Word clearly.  Amen.