This is really the struggle for many people who call themselves followers of Christ and see the Bible as God’s clear and authoritative instructions for how to live life.  And the question surfaces whenever a Bible passage is interpreted differently by two “Bible experts”.  Who can be trusted?  Can my interpretation be trusted?  How can you know with certainty?

Here are a couple of guidelines to help with the process:

1. Start with a humble spirit!  The old adage is, “The more you know, the more you know how little you know” is very true.  If you come to your time to read and reflect on God’s word with a proud intellectualism, you will surely not hear what God might have to say to you, even if you ARE correct in your interpretation.  We need to acknowledge that while God’s word is not flawed, we are.  If we start there, we will be free from a lot of baggage that will further hinder us.
2. Submit yourself under the text.  Many begin reading the Bible in the position of interpreter and decider of meaning.  But, this puts the reader in the superior position.  Instead, we need to adopt another attitude- one of submission to the text.  We let the text instruct us.  Our exploration for meaning is like the student who asks the professor probing questions to understand better his position instead of challenging or questioning the expertise or authority of the professor.  Such a difference may seem minute or a matter of semantics, but it is critical as a beginning.
3. Pray hard for the Spirit’s guidance!  Ask God to give you direction as you read.  Share your discoveries and thoughts with others, especially with those who are further down the road in their Christian walk.  Stay open-minded to what God might direct you towards.
4. Work hard at understanding what the author was intending!  This is not asking you to be a mind-reader because the author of the passage you are reading DID abide by certain grammar rules, used rhetorical questions, story-telling and word order.  The writers DID write in paragraphs (units of thought) in logical sequence.  No one ever said it was easy, but accuracy demands diligence.