There are two ways to read the Bible: one is to seek an understanding of God’s will, and the other is to look for passages to justify our own desires. Unfortunately, many people tend to lean toward the latter – opening the Bible with a decision already made and searching for verses that “approve” what they want to do.
When they find a passage that, usually taken out of context, confirms their thoughts, they say, “God spoke to me.” But the question is: was it truly the Holy Spirit speaking, or just the voice of their own hearts leading them to believe they received the answer they wanted?
Reading the Bible this way is dangerous because it places our will above God’s, and our desires are often tainted by selfishness, pride, and even sin. This is why Jesus taught us to pray: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
If we follow our own hearts, we will inevitably make mistakes. The Bible consistently warns against following our own desires because they typically lead us astray. Some individuals have even waged wars and committed sins “in the name of God”, twisting isolated biblical passages to support their mistakes.
Those who read the Bible half-heartedly deceive themselves. God recorded both the successes and failures of the heroes of faith. For example, David’s adultery, Abraham’s deception, and Moses’ disobedience were not omitted. However, they are there for us to learn from, and not to be repeated or misinterpreted as approval.
So, be cautious. Don’t read the Bible seeking what you want to hear. Instead, read it to discover what God desires from you. Pray as Jesus prayed: “Father…, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42). Approach the Word with an open heart, accept God’s corrections and allow Him to guide you. Ask for understanding and the Holy Spirit will show you the right path.
If you wish to grow in this kind of faith, join us every Wednesday at your nearest Universal Church, where we take time in the middle of the week to pause, reflect, enhance our spiritual lives and listen to God’s voice for guidance.
Event: Wednesday Bible Study
Day and time: Wednesdays at 7.30pm (also at 7am, 10am & 3pm)
Location: Your local Universal Church
