How Not to Read the Bible

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How Not to Read the Bible – A Wake-Up Call for African Believers

Across African communities—whether in Ghana or among the diaspora in Canada and beyond—how we read the Bible shapes how we live, pray, and relate to God. Unfortunately, many of us approach Scripture in ways that distort its message and weaken its transforming power.

For instance, some flip through the Bible randomly, land on a verse, and call it “a word from the Lord.” Others chase dreams and prophetic revelations while barely engaging with the text itself. As a result, verses like Jeremiah 29:11 (“I know the plans I have for you…”) or Deuteronomy 28 (“You shall lend to many nations…”) often get pulled out of context, quoted without understanding who God addressed or what conditions He gave.

Consequently, we turn the Bible into a spiritual lottery ticket—expecting instant results while ignoring the deeper call to obedience and transformation. Even worse, many rely solely on pastors or “men of God” to explain Scripture, as if God didn’t intend regular believers to understand His Word. But Scripture was written for all of us—not just scholars or prophets.

To be fair, these misreadings often come from a place of desperation. When poverty, injustice, and hardship press in, people understandably search for hope. However, instead of letting Scripture shape our desires, we often twist it to serve them. We skip the suffering of the cross and reach prematurely for the crown.

So Where Should You Begin?

If you want to grow in reading the Bible with clarity and depth, here are some simple steps to help you start:

  1. Read Whole Books, Not Just Verses. Begin with a short Gospel like Mark or a letter like Philippians. Read it from start to finish to understand the flow of thought, not just isolated sayings.

  2. Ask the Right Questions. As you read, consider: Who wrote this? Who was the audience? What was happening historically? What is God revealing about Himself here?

  3. Choose a Reliable Translation. Use a version like the New International Version (NIV) or English Standard Version (ESV). These are both accurate and easy to follow.

  4. Read with a Community. Join a Bible study group or invite friends to read with you. By discussing together, you’ll discover insights you might miss alone.

  5. Pray with Intentionality. Before and after reading, ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom—not just for information, but for transformation.

In the end, the Bible isn’t a collection of slogans or promises to claim blindly. It’s the living story of a holy God rescuing a broken world. When we read it rightly, it doesn’t just inspire us—it changes us.

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