For our final look (for now) at how to interpret Scripture I'm gonna split some semantic hairs.Often times I've heard teachers or have seen study guide questions that ask what a particular passage "means" to you. Beware. While I believe the questions are asked innocently enough, there's a distinction worth making. The "meaning" doesn't change. No matter who reads it or when, God's word doesn't change.
What does change, what is personal, is how it applies to your life.
Let's look at some verses that we don't need much interpretation to understand. Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Some applications might be:
- I need to give thanks more when I pray
- I need to ask God to meet my needs rather than trying to do everything myself
- I should quit worrying
- God gives peace when I give Him my worries
Whatever I "take away" from Bible study is application, not a new interpretation.
That's really neat! I never really thought of the application changing. Though, I guess I never thought of the interpretation changing, either. I think this post was very informative…I learned a lot even from that one verse in Philippians you talked about. That's really cool. I'll keep that in mind next time I'm reading or studying.
Thanks for the post!