What a fear-based response. This is not what God wants. He wants understanding of truth truth faith, love and hope, not fear.

it completely changes the meaning the writings were trying to convey

Sorry to say it, but can't you see how incredibly arrogant this stance is? how do you KNOW what meanings the writings were trying to convey? Because theologians told you? Or teachers?

I do agree, caution, diligence and honesty are required. But if you approach this topic from fear, fear and limitation is what you will get.

Why not make an earnest trusting prayer to God, plead with Him, earnestly, nto from fear but from longing to know the truth, longing to understand what He wants you to understand, rather than from being fearful of doing wrong?

How passionately, how sincerely do you desire to understand God's truth? More than your desire to eat? More than your desire to rest? Have you ever shed tears in prayer in earnestly longing to understand the truth he has hidden in the scripture, so that you can stand even one step closer to Him, and love him even one iota more sincerely?

Indeed, one MUST pay attention to not being motivated and driven by one's ego, or pride, or by wanting things to be as you see them for your own benefit. Of course. But you need to understand God's heart. He loves you. if you trust Him, fervently, would he lead you astray?

"believe how it's intended to be believed "

Again, this is the responsibility God has given to you, only you, and no one, not even God can do it for you. You have to go to him, you have to invest the heart, prayer, love and effort to hunt down and understand how GOD understands the scripture, what HE is trying to say to you (and me) through scripture. This cannot be done merely through dogma, or theology, or just reading it and deciding what's good enough for you. It requires your honest and trusting and verfent heart.

And if you cannot trust your own heart, why should God trust you? If you cannot trust your own heart, then repent, shed tears, and ask God to guide you so that eventually you CAN trust your own heart, because God is living in it and guiding you through it.

On that day, when you read the scripture, God will speak to you directly through your heart and give you wisdom and understanding.

What a fear-based response. This is not what God wants. He wants understanding of truth truth faith, love and hope, not fear.

it completely changes the meaning the writings were trying to convey

Sorry to say it, but can't you see how incredibly arrogant this stance is? how do you KNOW what meanings the writings were trying to convey? Because theologians told you? Or teachers?

I do agree, caution, diligence and honesty are required. But if you approach this topic from fear, fear and limitation is what you will get.

Why not make an earnest trusting prayer to God, plead with Him, earnestly, nto from fear but from longing to know the truth, longing to understand what He wants you to understand, rather than from being fearful of doing wrong?

How passionately, how sincerely do you desire to understand God's truth? More than your desire to eat? More than your desire to rest? Have you ever shed tears in prayer in earnestly longing to understand the truth he has hidden in the scripture, so that you can stand even one step closer to Him, and love him even one iota more sincerely?

Indeed, one MUST pay attention to not being motivated and driven by one's ego, or pride, or by wanting things to be as you see them for your own benefit. Of course. But you need to understand God's heart. He loves you. if you trust Him, fervently, would he lead you astray?

"believe how it's intended to be believed "

Again, this is the responsibility God has given to you, only you, and no one, not even God can do it for you. You have to go to him, you have to invest the heart, prayer, love and effort to hunt down and understand how GOD understands the scripture, what HE is trying to say to you (nad me) through scripture. This Cannot be done merely through dogma, or theology. It requires your honest and trusting and verfent heart.

And if you cannot trust your own heart, why should God trust you? If you cannot trust your own heart, then repent, shed tears, and ask God to guide you so that eventually you CAN trust your own heart, because God is living in it and guiding you through it.

On that day, when you read the scripture, God will speak to you directly through your heart and give you wisdom and understanding.

What a fear-based response. This is not what God wants. He wants understanding of truth truth faith, love and hope, not fear.

it completely changes the meaning the writings were trying to convey

Sorry to say it, but can't you see how incredibly arrogant this stance is? how do you KNOW what meanings the writings were trying to convey? Because theologians told you? Or teachers?

I do agree, caution, diligence and honesty are required. But if you approach this topic from fear, fear and limitation is what you will get.

Why not make an earnest trusting prayer to God, plead with Him, earnestly, nto from fear but from longing to know the truth, longing to understand what He wants you to understand, rather than from being fearful of doing wrong?

Indeed, one MUST pay attention to not being motivated and driven by one's ego, or pride, or by wanting things to be as you see them for your own benefit. Of course. But you need to understand God's heart. He loves you. if you trust Him, fervently, would he lead you astray?

"believe how it's intended to be believed "

Again, this is the responsibility God has given to you, only you, and no one, not even God can do it for you. You have to go to him, you have to invest the heart, prayer, love and effort to hunt down and understand how GOD understands the scripture, what HE is trying to say to you (nad me) through scripture. This Cannot be done merely through dogma, or theology. It requires your honest and trusting and verfent heart.

And if you cannot trust your own heart, why should God trust you? If you cannot trust your own heart, then repent, shed tears, and ask God to guide you so that eventually you CAN trust your own heart, because God is living in it and guiding you through it.

On that day, when you read the scripture, God will speak to you directly through your heart and give you wisdom and understanding.