When we look at Scriptures there are three things to consider in order to minimize misinterpretation of what God is saying:

A. Cultural setting

B. Original meaning

C. Overall theme of the Bible

After all, haven't your words ever been misunderstood by people who only half listened to you? How much easier it is to misunderstand the Word of God!

                    Isaiah 55:8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (NIV)

A. Cultural setting

Look at the following scripture found in Song of Solomon 4:1-4:

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn, coming up from the washing. Each has its twin; not one of them is alone. Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate. Your neck is like the tower of David, built with elegance; on it hang a thousand shields, all of them shields of warriors. (NIV)

In order to understand the depth of the love and emotion being expressed here it is important to understand the significance of sheep, goats, pomegranates, warrior shields and the tower of David to that culture and then apply it to our culture. Otherwise, this scripture can be misinterpreted.

B. Original Meaning

In the King James Version Luke 8:19 reads:

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

The word press does not mean radio, TV and newspaper personalities but it simply means crowd. If we don't examine the original meanings of the words then we could easily mistranslate and misinterpret what the Bible says.

C. Overall theme of the Bible

I don't believe that any one person has all the truth. In 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul said:

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Because no one knows everything fully it is very easy to make the Scriptures prove anything. This is what happens when we take the Scriptures out of context from the rest of the Bible. For example, look at Luke 14:25, 26:

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-- yes, even his own life-- he cannot be my disciple.

I can easily use that to prove that Jesus preached hate, was totally against the family, placed little or no value on human life and that following him means that we must be full of self hate. Of course that interpretation is wrong because it is not consistent with the overall theme of the Bible. With a little extra look into the original meaning of the word hate could better be translated as love less than. Now that changes things and puts that text back in context with the overall message of the Bible. It is a message of Gods love for us that is consistent from Genesis to Revelation. In turn, we are asked to love God above all else, love others and love ourselves.

                    Matthew 22:36-40

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."