When internet posts are mis-interpreted so easily, how can we be sure of a correct interpretation of bible passages now that the writer of said passages cannot be questioned in person?
Best way to interpret God's Word:
#1. Ask God for the understanding of His Word, i.e. "Give us this day our daily bread" (Sometimes this is a repeat process).
#2. Context (Looking at the surrounding words, chapters).
#3. Read the most plainest meaning of the words in a text first in the English, unless the context and or other cross references indicate a meaning otherwise. Looking at the original language should be a last option and not as a way to read or interpret the Bible. The English should not conflict with the original languages. But some think otherwise. They think they know a dead language or that scholars are right, when this is not the case.
#4. Cross references (By 2-3 witnesses God's Word is confirmed) (But this is not always the case) (For example: Folks can point out the prosperity gospel with Scripture or Eternal Security with several verses, but this does not mean that such beliefs are true).
#5. Interpretation must be in line with basic morality (It disturbs me greatly when folks have an interpretation that ignores basic morality, like "Eternal Conscious Torment," or "Future Sin is Forgiven Us", or "Unconditional Election," etc.).
#6. Keyword search studies (This is doing a search on how a particular word appears in the Bible and how it is used elsewhere as a way to determine other difficult passages or verses that are commonly taken out of context by others; I use BlueLetterBible, and PureKingJames software when I look up words to study sometimes).
#7. Topical studies.
#8. Looking at what other believers have to say (I am not talking about the popular Bible commentators; I usually read a ton of articles on a particular verse or passage from Sola Scriptura Trinitarian believers by scouring the internet and in praying to find the right answer).
#9. One needs a nailed down final word of authority or one Bible that is the pure Word of God (Note: I believe this to be the circa. 1900 Cambridge King James). The KJV lines up with the original languages (i.e. the Textus Receptus).
#10. Use Modern Translations to help update the 1600's English from the KJV, but do make Modern Translations your final Word of authority because they make changes in God's Word that are clearly in error.
#11. One needs to be born again by the Spirit and born by water (i.e. being born by water = being born by the Scriptures in the fact that we received the Word of God not as the words of men, but in fact as the very divine words of God Himself; Meaning, His Word is perfect and without error, and we have been broken and transformed by them with a godly sorrow in accepting Christ as our Savior and in believing in Christ's death and resurrection on our behalf).
#12. We need to agree with true godly living as the Bible describes it, and we need to be walking the talk; 1 Timothy 6:3-4 says that if any man does not agree with the words of Jesus Christ and the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud and he knows nothing. 1 John 2:3 says we can have an assurance in knowing the Lord if we find that we are keeping His commandments. The closer our walk in knowing the Lord, the closer we will be in our understanding of God's Word. For if we are not loving according to God's Word, we cannot have the depth of understanding of the deep things or treasures within God's Word.
Side Note:
As for us sometimes misinterpreting people:
Well, people can sometimes believe in contradictory things, and or they may speak contradictory things. Sometimes people are intentionally evasive with their words, and other times people are just poor communicators. Also, people may believe in using the same theological terms you use, but they simply have a different interpretation or view on that theological term. For example: I may talk about the “elect” in the Bible, but a Calvinist would take that to mean something other than how the Bible describes the “elect.” I may talk about the theological term called “Justification,” but most other Christians see that as a payment for all of our future sins (When this is not the case according to the Bible). I may talk about the theological term called, “Sanctification,” but most Christians see this as progressively living more holy but they will always commit some kind of “mortal sin” (or grievous sin) in this life until the day they die. In other words, they don't believe 2 Corinthians 7:1, and Galatians 5:24. They don't like those verses because it does not fit in with their life or lifestyle. So they either change these verses to say something else, or they simply ignore them.
Side Note 2: This is not to say I am perfect, and I have not misunderstood people on occasion, but usually a good person explains themselves properly in order to help the other person understand where they are coming from. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Many just make things more confusing in their attempt to explain things, and they make it worse for themselves. I never had a problem with my wife explaining things to me when I misunderstood her. Anyways, so if I misunderstand people on occasion, how can I properly interpret God's Word? Well, like I said before, I have a system of interpreting God's Word that helps with that. A check system to prevent from misinterpretation. The greatest of these is GOD. God has many times talked to me about a belief that was not exactly right, and He helped me to see things more clearly on that topic. Just like when you talk with a person and they can correct you on a misunderstanding, GOD can correct our misunderstanding, as well. Sure, people can say that GOD has shown them the truth, too; But they usually will miss one of the points in my check list in order to properly understand God's Word.
