Question: Once I asked five Christians what a passage of Scripture means and I received five different opinions. How can I determine the truth?
Answer:
It’s a common experience, ask five believers about a Bible passage and you may get five different interpretations, each offered with sincerity and conviction. This doesn’t mean Scripture is unreliable; it simply means we are all reading it through different lenses. We study the Bible as people living in the 21st century, shaped by modern culture, language, experiences, and traditions. Meanwhile, the biblical writers lived in entirely different worlds—different languages, Jewish customs, and historical realities. That gap creates challenges. The question we must always ask is: “What did the original author intend to communicate?”
Because of this time distance, some passages, especially prophetic ones like Revelation, will naturally create differing viewpoints. Add to that our personal backgrounds, denominational influences, family traditions, and even current emotional seasons, and it becomes clear why believers sometimes reach different conclusions.
But here’s the good news: God did not leave us alone to figure out His Word. He gave us His Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Truth is not discovered by personal brilliance, it’s revealed through relationship.
Here are some wise, Kingdom-centered ways to approach Scripture:
First, come honestly and prayerfully. Approach the Bible with an open heart, ready to receive, not looking to prove a point but to hear God’s heart. The Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), which means it speaks but only to the heart willing to listen.
Second, depend on the Holy Spirit. Interpretation is not primarily an academic exercise; it is a spiritual one. The same Spirit who inspired the Scriptures illuminates them to believers who seek Him with humility.
Third, learn from mature, godly teachers. God gives wisdom to seasoned believers for our benefit. But even then, we follow the example of the Bereans, who “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). We honor teachers, but we trust the Word.
Finally, approach Scripture with a surrendered heart. Real understanding comes when we read with the intention to obey (Psalm 119:34). Revelation follows obedience.
If you seek God’s wisdom, trust His Spirit, and anchor your interpretations in Scripture—not opinion—you can walk with confidence. The same God who authored His Word is faithful to reveal its truth to every heart that seeks His Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33).
