One important thing my Professor at university taught me is to always make sure that your source of information is reliable.
With this background I am often fascinated at what people believe, especially when based on where it came from. Friends have occasionally sent me an email about this or that, saying that it is true because they found it on the internet. Or maybe you have personally received one of those emails that say you have just won R10 million and to claim it you must send your bank details, etc. to the following email address.
Books are no better. Thousands of books have been published that are utter nonsense. Yet the fact that they are in reputable bookstores does tend to give us a sense that they must be true. Talking about books brings me to arguably the greatest book ever written The Bible.
The Bible forms an integral part of the lives of most Christians. It is seen as the Living Word of God and plays an important role in all aspects of their daily lives. Now before your mind starts heading down the wrong path, I too believe The Bible is the Inspired Word of God. I too try to make it a part of every aspect of my life. However, I dont blindly believe and do everything the Bible says. Let me explain.
I like to jokingly say that you can prove anything from the Bible, just make sure you choose the right verses. People will sometimes defend questionable behaviour by quoting Bible scriptures. Recently, I heard someone argue that it is okay to lie, because Abraham lied when he told Pharaoh that Sarah was not his wife (Genesis12:10-20). I have even heard someone try to defend extramarital affairs based on Davids behaviour with Bathsheba(1 Samuel 11).Part of the argument was that if David (a man after Gods own heart) did it, then it must be acceptable.
The Bible has multiple purposes
However, Paul, in his letter to Timothy, mentions an important aspect to keep in mind when reading, studying or consulting the Bible. Paul says, All scripture is God-breathed [inspired] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). In other words, the Bible has multiple purposes and is not just telling us what we may or may not do. There are scriptures that tell us exactly what is expected of us as followers of Christ, while other scriptures simply give us good advice for our daily lives (Eg. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Before we can categorically state a scripture or verse means this or that we have to do a few things. Firstly, we need to read the scripture in its context. What is the author talking about in the entire chapter (or even better in the entire book)? What is the context in which it was said? For example, the Bible says, Ask and it will be given to you (Matthew 7:7 NIV). Too many people say, See. God says just ask for that brand new car or better job and it will be given to you. But they take the verse completely out of context. Read the entire chapters 5,6 & 7 and then you will get the context and actually see what Jesus is saying will be given unto you. Go and check, it has nothing to do with material wealth.
When we continually misread and misapply the Bible it can kill our faith and destroy our belief in Jesus and the Bible. I have met people who have said that God did not keep His promises, or that they were doing everything as asked in the Bible but were still sick, struggling or poor.
As already mentioned, first read and apply every scripture in context of the bigger picture. Secondly, find out to whom the author was originally talking and in what historical setting. For example, God tells Abraham to go and kill his son Isaac (Genesis 22). Does that mean you should go and do the same? Or because God tells the Israelites to offer daily animal sacrifices, does that mean we too must now go do it? Of course not.
The Bible says that if you disobey God you will become wise. Is that true? Well, it is in the Bible. Go and read it for yourself in Genesis 3:5. Of course we know it is not true because we understand the context in which it was said. It is the deceitful words of Satan who is lying to Eve. So that section of scripture would be good for teaching, not for direct application.
Many of the stories in the Old Testament are there for teaching. The Bible is not saying that lying is okay (as in the case of Abraham) or that adultery is okay (as in the case of David), but is showing us what the consequences of such actions are (along with other concepts and lessons). David was not acting like a man after Gods own heart when he was committing adultery with Bathsheba and devising schemes to get rid of her husband.
No concept, doctrine or teaching is supported by a single verse in the Bible. In other words, a text without a context is a pretext for a proof text. Go and look to see if that concept (eg. It is okay to lie) is mentioned or supported throughout the Bible. Finally, and most importantly, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in all humility when reading and studying the Bible.