How to Avoid Misinterpreting Scripture
Have you ever been concerned people will misunderstand something you say, do, or write, and retain the wrong impression of you? Have you ever shared your perspective based on personal experience, only to be told you are wrong?
Perhaps your child has thrown a temper tantrum in the grocery store, and the glances of strangers leave you feeling you’ll be forever labeled a terrible parent. Maybe you have a family member who commits a public faux pax, and you find your social circles dwindling. I recently found myself under a great amount of work stress as my ability to serve a client had an unintentional spotlight shining brightly on it.
In August, Google integrated an algorithm update aimed at more in-depth evaluation of digital content. The goal is to realign search to produce more accurate and targeted results for search platform users.
This update meant that every strategy our team has researched, tested, and executed over the past five years was about to be evaluated. As the content strategist, my work was under the spotlight. But I wasn’t the only one feeling the pressure.
The Friday announcement sparked a series of panicked reactions on various Slack channels. Our clients sent messages like, “Have you heard?” “It’s finally starting!” “Are you sure we’re ready?” and “Good luck to us all!”
As I combed through the lengthy announcement, I could only type the one thought running through my head, “Just kill me now!” before diving back into the details of what was to come.
Hours later, a calmness settled over me, despite my slightly dramatic moment earlier, as I realized Google’s announcement essentially said, “If you have adhered to the boundaries we’ve consistently taught since 2011, this update will help you. However, your website will suffer if you’ve attempted to shortcut your way to the top.”
The more I read, the more I realized that the announcement caused panic because Google doesn’t provide a formulaic checklist that guarantees digital marketing success. Rather, they offer guidelines with structured boundaries. For example, along with the announcement about the helpful content update, there was a list of self-evaluation questions and answers, including this one:
Q: How can you ensure you’re creating content that will be successful with our new update?
A: By following our long-standing advice and guidelines to create content for people, not for search engines.
The thing about these sentences is that when they are read independently, the instructions are vague. But by reading the history of “long-standing advice,” it quickly becomes clear that there are hundreds of instructions on creating successful content.
It’s Easy to Misunderstand the Full Context
Just like it’s easy to misjudge someone based on one interaction or misunderstand someone when we don’t have the full context of a situation, I think this same thing can happen when we read the Bible.
There are many reasons we unintentionally misinterpret Scripture. For example, English readers overlook the fact that Hebrew writers incorporated hyperbole into their narrative writing for emphasis. While the original audience understood this tradition well, the translations’ cultural context is often missed by today’s readers.
Another reason we misinterpret Scripture is that we read for confirmation bias rather than for a deeper understanding of the text and God’s character. An example of this is when we read a verse like Jeremiah 29:11 as a hopeful promise from God without considering that the Israelites were being sent into 70 years of exile and oppressive rule. While the promise that God has plans for those who follow him remains true, context matters. This may not be the verse to read at a baby shower or wedding. Finally, when we read a few verses rather than a full story, we can misinterpret the context of the passage.
For example, I’ve heard several sermons wherein King Solomon is defined as the wisest man to ever live. While it is recorded in 1 Kings 4:29-30 that King Solomon was the wisest man where and when he lived, he also enslaved people (see 1 Kings 9), and in 1 Kings 11:1-13, Solomon’s story continues revealing he had 1,000 wives and concubines and built temples to foreign gods for his foreign wives to worship their gods.
Solomon’s wisdom was a gift from God, yet he grew distant from God as his power, wealth, and family grew. I believe there are other men and women who have proven themselves wiser than Solomon in their treatment of people through the centuries. When we ignore the parts of Solomon’s story that are difficult to read, it’s possible we miss the most important lessons.
How to Avoid Misinterpreting Scripture
My own experience tells me that parents can’t be judged by one interaction, so when that toddler throws a tantrum, I’m likely to look away or offer an encouraging smile to the mama.
Similarly, because of my education and experience as a content strategist, my momentary panic was alleviated because I knew what references to consult for deeper contextual understanding.
If we want to avoid misinterpreting Scripture, we need to first humbly realize that this endeavor has been imperfectly practiced for over 2,000 years by millions of believers. We will misunderstand some Bible verses. But we can reduce these instances with a few intentional choices:
- Read the Bible with epistemic humility. By this, I mean even when you have read a passage many times before, always assume there is something new you can learn.
- Never read a Bible verse in isolation. Greg Koukl writes in detail about why this concept is so important on the Stand to Reason blog.
- Pray for understanding and ask God to bring mentors who will help offer insights and perspectives to our interpretations.
- Read the Bible often, and don’t be afraid to use a good commentary.
- Be willing to discerningly remove false teachers from your circle of influence.
- Abide in Christ. (Matt. 15:5-8)
In John 15, Jesus reminded the disciples that branches cannot bear fruit once detached from the vine. Our call as followers of Christ is to remain attached to him. It takes effort to avoid misinterpreting Scripture, but it’s possible. Will you join me in 2023 by choosing to read the Bible with even more intentionality?
Beth M. Walker is an author, speaker, and experienced digital marketer. Married to a football coach and raising two sons, she has waded through the challenges of balancing home life with the work she loves. One of Beth’s gifts is helping others discern their gifts and take them to the next level. With many years of expertise in writing and digital marketing, she has helped countless people identify their unique calling, thrive in their life purpose, and pursue their courageous next step vocationally. She blogs at BethMWalker.com.
Photograph © Emmanuel Phaeton, used with permission
