I can't help but feel that if we reduce it to "this is how I interpret this verse so it is my truth and that is how you interpret this verse so that this is your truth" we reduce the Word of God. And also.....if we make Truth valid based on our own opinion and understanding....it is still infallible? Is it then the Word of Christ or does it become the word of us - as we seek to interpret and understand ourselves? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And
He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.
We are called to be of one mind (
Philippians 2:2) ...and there is one Spirit that teaches (1 John 2:27). There is one Truth ("I am the Way,
the Truth and the Life.") And things of the Spirit (like the Word of God) are to be discerned spiritually....the natural man (and his mind) can not grasp spiritual things. "But [
a]a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually [
b]appraised." 1 Corinthians 2:14. Therefore, there is one Truth, one interpretation and one Spirit that gives that interpretation/truth/teaching.
And furthermore this salvation of ours as described all throughout the New Testament as a walk. The Bible (the Word) gets richer and more profound and deeper as we walk further (grow more mature) with our God. The Spirit feeds us milk first, and then meat...He gives us the Truth of the Word as we are ready for it....bit by bit....as we grow in becoming perfect reflections of God!
But I think the key is this: "Finally, all of you should be of one mind.
Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude." 1 Peter 3:8.
Saying someone else is wrong is not wrong....BUT WHEN WE SAY IT WITH CAPITOL LETTERS, AND LOTS OF !!!!!!!!! AND WHEN WE START NAME CALLING AND GOING BACK AND FORTH FOR PAGES AND PAGES - WHEN WE TAKE PRIDE IN BEING RIGHT AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TRUMP/DROWN OUT EVERYONE ELSE AND ASSUME THAT WE AND WE ALONE CAN BE WHITE KNIGHTS OF TRUTH.....we run into problems (get my point there? Lol!) "If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but
didn't love others, I would be nothing!" 1 Corinthians 13:12.
Are you in love? Are you being humble and 100% led by God to speak and are the words you are saying/typing from the Spirit? Then post....even disagree....as long as it is in love and for the sake of building up the entire Body in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12)!
And I am not trying to start a debate with this reply, dear Dana. I just wanted to get this out there.
No strife intended!