When reading and studying the Bible we must make sure we have correct context in order to properly understand and apply the scriptures to our lives. Below is an example.
Word: Date
Sentence: Chloe is feeling very lonely and would like a date.
Paragraph: Chloe is feeling lonely and would like a date. Chloe's favorite foods are figs and dates. In the past when Chloe was depressed or lonely she had a bad habit of eating instead of turning to God for comfort and peace. But now that she is born again, whenever Chloe is lonely or depressed, instead of eating, she puts her faith and trust in The Lord.
Correct Context: We get a much different understanding of the word and the sentence when read in correct context. This also applies to news, social media, emails, and more. Before reacting to something or making a judgement, make sure you clearly understand the full context of the message. In a recent inner city shooting a news reporter interviewed a four year old witness and asked him what he thought of the situation. The four year old said, "I'm not afraid, when I grow up I'm gonna have me a gun too." The four year old was made out to be a thug, a product of his environment. But that statement was taking out of context. The four year old went on to say, "I'm gonna have me a gun because I'm gonna be the police"
Below are some basic guidelines to assist you when reading or studying scripture.
- A word must be understood in the way it is used in its sentence
- A sentence must be understood within its context.
- Scriptures on similar topics should be compared. If necessary, a third Scripture could explain the conflict between two Scriptures.
- A clear passage is preferred over a difficult passage on the same subject.
- Pay close attention to spelling, grammar, and figures of speech
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