Questions and Answers – Which Interpretation is Right?

Many people interpret the Bible. How do you know which interpretation is the right one?

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.

The Bible is our guide to lead us to heaven and we do not want to take anybody’s word, but go to the Scriptures for ourselves to seek light. We are individually accountable to God. When we accept somebody else’s word on what the Bible says, we have then put man over and above the Word of God. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29.

“Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand His Word. … Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us to stumble. We should study the Bible with humility of heart, never losing sight of our dependence upon God. While we must constantly guard against the devices of Satan, we should pray in faith continually, ‘Lead us not into temptation’ [Matthew 6:13].” The Faith I Live By, 331.

Many place their own interpretation on the Scriptures. Each of us, individually, needs to know what God’s Word says. We are to study “precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:13) so that we may understand what God is saying to us. Many people may interpret the Bible as to what they think the Word of God says, but the Bible will interpret itself.

Here is one example of how we may be led astray in the last days by listening to others. “Unfaithful watchmen hindered the progress of the work of God. As the people were roused, and began to inquire the way of salvation, these leaders stepped in between them and the truth, seeking to quiet their fears by falsely interpreting the Word of God. … The blood of these souls will be required at their hand.” The Story of Redemption, 361.

There are many religions, many interpreters, but what saith the Lord? When we sit down with the Word of God and humbly ask for God’s Holy Spirit to teach us, He will answer that prayer. You can then begin to search the Word of God for yourself. Using a Bible concordance, you can look up specific words which will lead you to all of the books of the Bible that may contain that subject, and as you bring all of those verses together, God will, through His Word, teach you what truth is and what error is. You need not follow anybody’s interpretation unless it is found in the Bible.

Let the truth be read by you, as it is in Jesus and not as it is according to what somebody else said. God, through His Holy Spirit, is our teacher. “Through thy precepts I get understanding.” Psalm 119:104. It does not say through the understanding of others.

If you have a Bible question you wish to have answered, please write to Steps to Life or e-mail it to:
landmarks@stepstolife.org.