If you had to write a research paper or give a presentation on Abraham Lincoln, you wouldn’t use the “Gettysburg Address” as your only source. Aspects of Lincoln’s upbringing, his political leanings, what he accomplished during his presidency, his marriage—what would that short speech tell you about these? Regardless of how many times you read those 272 words, you’d have no legitimate confidence that you knew the man. You could even memorize the speech, as many have, and quote it to a packed room; you would still have only a surface understanding and presentation of Abraham Lincoln.
That’s how some people approach Bible study. They take a verse here or there, figure out a meaning that makes sense to them or fits with their perspective, and then choose or justify an action based on “the Bible.” Innocently or purposely, they may ignore passages which contradict their interpretation of a particular verse rather than allow those other passages to help them understand the complete biblical teaching regarding a particular topic. In doing so, they miss out on the beauty of how God’s Word all fits together and guides us to wisdom and his will.
Your pastor and the teachers at your church should be helping you grow in a balanced understanding of God’s Word. If they’re not, look for another church! If they are, be there at every service! A good pastor has extensive training in Bible interpretation and devotes many hours to preparation for preaching God’s Word; don’t miss out on the benefits.
We live in a sin-cursed world full of people who need the Lord. Our attempts to live as lights to that world and as an encouragement to fellow-Christians are limited if we’re not balanced and accurate in our understanding of God’s Word. When we are truly biblical, our lives are glorifying to God, God is honored, Christians grow, and the unsaved see genuine Christianity. When Paul wrote to the Romans, he commended them by saying, “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another”(Romans 15:14). Their hearts and their knowledge gave Paul confidence that they could teach others. When he wrote to the church in Corinth, he praised them for their knowledge, as well, and the resultant outworking of that knowledge(1 Corinthians 1:4-8). Pray for the right heart and God’s wisdom so that you, too, can respond correctly to the world around you. The Word of God has the answers you need if your heart is open to his will and you apply yourself to determining it.