God's Word Not Yours

God is not a God of confusion. He clearly commanded us to love Him with all of our hearts, and honor His Word until Jesus' second coming. While many Christians claim to love the Lord, some Christians are guilty of spiritualizing - which means intentionally interpreting the scriptures the opposite meaning of what the writer intended (I've nicknamed this spiritual - lies). 2 Peter stated that "Paul writes similar in all his letters with the wisdom that God gave him, and though some of his words are hard to understand, there are ignorant and unstable people who distort scriptures to their own destruction" (well spoken). While some individuals are distorting scriptures unconsciously, many spiritual leaders and Christians are selectively honoring the Word as they desire, because most Christians have interpreted the scriptures similarly for decades. This is traditionalism - assuming that certain traditional or familiar interpretations are the only adequate interpretations. I would highly recommend the study of hermeneutics - the study of Biblical interpretation, along with etymology - the original meaning of the Word, including usus loquend - the use in a context and koine - the common meaning. Misinterpreting the Bible ignorantly or selectively is also similar to eisegesis - reading our own ideas into the text.

When interpreting God's Word there is a common rule to apply which is, when it makes common sense, seek no other sense of it, because scripture takes every word at it's primary literal meaning. Jesus also spoke figuratively, metaphorically, using fables, and in parables, so understand that when Jesus stated if your body members are causing you to sin, pluck it out! Jesus himself didn't mean literally regarding certain texts. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He's the beginning and end. The Word was inspired by God, spoken through His disciples who would never contradict God's Word or instruct Christians to disobey God, and only those who honor and obey His words, His way, will join Him in heaven. So be careful that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, because Christ is the head over every power and authority. Amen

Tips taken from Amanda Kidd's PhD. Seminary educational notes, scriptures paraphrased from the Holy Bible.