Right now, I’m in a period of deep study of the Bible. This happens for me periodically, where I deep dive into trending concepts or beliefs that I hold to search for true understanding around them. I don’t pick and choose from the parts that feel good. I explore the full context of what I’m reading and link to other scriptures for better understanding, whether that leads to something that supports a subject, rejects the belief, or leaves me with more questions.

In the midst of my current deep dive, what I’m learning (or I should say relearning and affirming)is it’s fundamentally important for you to read scripture for yourself, AND to approach the search with a real understanding of public reality. I’ve seen a ridiculous influx of “relationship gurus” just saying words about who’s supposed to do what and using scripture to defend it. Half the time what they “quote” is wrong, and of the other half 2/3 use it completely out of context. 🙄

Then an awareness needs to be present in what you’re reading. It honestly helps no one, including you, to hold on to a snippet of scripture and shout that at people when the world we live in now simply doesn’t look like that. Girls and women are constantly judged against the idea of us being “pure at heart”; with the way we dress, how we speak, where we work, who we date. It’s nonstop. Meanwhile, boys and men are out here living they best life getting money, women, and making connections. That’s not ok, and something needs to shift in how we approach the Bible fr instruction on how we should live.

I guess what I’m saying is that the Bible gets a bad rap, and those of us who are sharing The Word with others need to do more work in how we first understand what it holds, and then how we speak that for our lives and the lives around us. ✌🏽