Why Can't I Have My Own Interpretation of Scriptures?

Welcome to Living Word Cast!

I’m Pastor Michael Chilcott, coming to you from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This podcast exists to proclaim, teach, and explore the Word of God together. Our goal is to provide sound theological and biblical guidance on all things Scripture, helping you grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re seeking answers, encouragement, or a closer walk with God, this podcast is here to help you stay firmly rooted in the truth of God’s Word.

Where we’ll be exploring a crucial question: Why can’t I have my own interpretation of the Scriptures? This is an important question for every believer, and we’ll be diving deep into the Word of God to answer it. Our key Scriptures will come from 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Acts 17:11, and 2 Peter 3:16-17. I invite you to grab your Bible and turn with me to these passages as we examine what God’s Word says about the interpretation of Scripture.

Opening Thought

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and as Christians, we are called to study it, understand it, and live by it. But there’s a question that often comes up: Can’t I just interpret the Bible however I want? Many people approach Scripture with the assumption that it can mean whatever they feel it means, based on personal experiences, emotions, or preferences. However, the Bible makes it clear that Scripture is not open to personal or private interpretation. Let’s dive into what the Word says about this and understand why it’s so important.

The Authority of Scripture

We begin by looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which is a foundational text on the nature of Scripture:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

This passage tells us that all Scripture is inspired by God. When we read the Bible, we are reading the very words of God, breathed out by Him. This means that the Scriptures are not just the opinions of human authors or personal interpretations. They are divinely authored and therefore hold ultimate authority. If the Bible is inspired by God, it is not subject to human whims or private interpretations.