Discerning Human Experiences and Scripture: Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Discerning human experiences in light of Scripture requires careful attention to avoid several common pitfalls, primarily centered on misinterpreting or misapplying biblical texts and allowing human traditions or subjective feelings to supersede divine revelation. One significant pitfall is being swayed by human philosophies and traditions that are not grounded in Christ. The Apostle Paul warns against being "spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8 KJV) [1]. John Calvin, commenting on this passage, emphasizes that the knowledge of Christ is sufficient and that human contrivances, though they may appear wise, should not deceive believers [8]. This suggests that any human experience or philosophical framework must be rigorously tested against the standard of Christ's teachings as revealed in Scripture.
Another common error is relying on personal or private interpretation of prophecy and Scripture without proper guidance or understanding of its divine origin. The apostle Peter states that "no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20 ESV). The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary clarifies that this means no prophecy "is found to be the result of 'private (the mere individual writer's uninspired) interpretation' (solution), and so origination" [2]. This highlights that the origin and meaning of prophecy are not from the individual prophet's own thoughts but from divine inspiration. While this verse primarily addresses the origin of prophecy, it implicitly warns against approaching Scripture with a purely subjective or individualistic interpretive lens, detached from the broader context of divine revelation and the community of faith. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Acts 8:31, addresses the eunuch's need for guidance in understanding Isaiah. Clarke argues that while the eunuch needed an interpreter because he was unfamiliar with the Gospel dispensation, this does not mean "the Scriptures cannot be understood without an authorized interpreter" in all cases, especially where the Gospels and apostolic epistles are readily available [3]. However, it does underscore that some passages, particularly those referring to unfolding dispensations or complex theological concepts, may require instruction to be properly apprehended.
A further pitfall involves credulity and a lack of discernment regarding information and relationships. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Proverbs 14:15, notes that "it is folly to be credulous, to heed every flying report, to give ear to every man's story, though ever so improbable, to take things upon trust from common fame" [7]. This applies not only to general life but also to how one evaluates spiritual experiences or teachings. The prudent person, Henry suggests, "will try before he trusts" [7]. This caution extends to avoiding harmful associations. John Gill, commenting on Proverbs 5:8, advises to "remove thy way far from her" (referring to the adulteress), meaning to keep a great distance from anything that could lead to sin, avoiding even proximity to temptation [4]. Similarly, Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:7 advises to "decline such a one and depart from him" if one perceives "no relish or savour of piety in his discourse" [9]. These warnings emphasize the need for believers to exercise discernment in their interactions and to guard against influences that could lead them astray from biblical principles.
Another significant danger is allowing personal freedom or conscience to become a stumbling block for others. The Tyndale House Commentary on Romans 14:13 explains that the phrase "stumble and fall" refers to behavior that might bring spiritual harm to another person [6]. While believers may have freedom in certain areas, exercising that freedom in a way that causes a weaker brother or sister to falter is a serious concern. This means that even if an action is permissible for an individual, its impact on another's spiritual journey must be considered. This principle requires believers to prioritize the spiritual well-being of others over their own preferences or perceived rights, demonstrating a love that builds up rather than tears down.
The process of interpreting Scripture itself can be a pitfall if not approached correctly. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 Corinthians 2:13 highlights the importance of "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" [5]. This means interpreting Scripture by Scripture, allowing clearer passages to illuminate more obscure ones, and understanding the unity of divine revelation. This method guards against isolating verses from their context or imposing external meanings onto the text. It implies that human experiences, while valid in their own right, should not be the primary lens through which Scripture is understood, but rather Scripture should be the lens through which human experiences are evaluated and interpreted.
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 2:8 (KJV) — Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:20: "Forasmuch as ye know this" (Pe1 1:18). first--the foremost consideration in studying the word of prophecy. Laying it down as a first principle never to be lost sight of. is--Greek, not the simple verb, to be, but to begin to be, "proves to be," "becometh." No prophecy is found to be the result of "private (the mere individual writer's uninspired) interpretation" (solution), and so origination. The Greek noun epilusis, does not mean in itself origination; but that which the sacred writer could not always fully interpret, though being the speaker o”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 8:31: How can I, except some man should guide me? - This is no proof that "the Scriptures cannot be understood without an authorized interpreter," as some of the papistical writers assert. How could the eunuch know any thing of the Gospel dispensation, to which this scripture referred? That dispensation had not yet been proclaimed to him; he knew nothing about Jesus. But where that dispensation has been published, where the four Gospels and the apostolic epistles are at hand, every thing relative to the salvation of the soul may be clearly apprehended by any simple, upright”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 5:8: Remove thy way far from her,.... The way of the mind, walk, and conversation; keep at the greatest distance from her; neither come where she is, nor look at her, nor converse with her; shun her, as one would the pest or a loathsome carcass; go a good way about rather than come near her, or be within sight of her, or so as to be in any danger of being ensnared by her; and come not nigh the door of her house; not only not enter her chamber, but go not to her house; no, not over the threshold of the door, nor near the door; but avoid her house, as one would a house th”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 14:13: 14:13 This verse acts as a bridge. Let’s stop condemning each other summarizes 14:1-12, while the concern about causing another believer to stumble and fall becomes the major emphasis of 14:14-23. • stumble and fall: This phrase originally applied to obstacles that could trip people as they walked, or to traps into which a person might fall. It is used metaphorically throughout the New Testament for behavior that might bring spiritual harm to another person (see 1 Cor 8:9, 13; 1 Jn 2:10; cp. Matt 21:42-44; Luke 20:17-18; Rom 9:32-33; 1 Pet 2:8).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:15: Note, 1. It is folly to be credulous, to heed every flying report, to give ear to every man's story, though ever so improbable, to take things upon trust from common fame, to depend upon every man's profession of friendship and give credit to every one that will promise payment; those are simple who thus believe every word, forgetting that all men, in some sense, are liars in comparison with God, all whose words we are to believe with an implicit faith, for he cannot lie. 2. It is wisdom to be cautious: The prudent man will try before he trusts, will weigh both”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 30.5: reckon that there is any great difference between wisdom and understanding in this passage, for the employment of two different terms serves only to give additional strength, as though he had said, that no knowledge, erudition, learning, wisdom, can be found elsewhere. 4. This I say, that no man may deceive you. As the contrivances of men have (as we shall afterwards see) an appearance of wisdom, the minds of the pious ought to be preoccupied with this persuasion — that the knowledge of Christ is of itself amply su”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:7: See here, 1. How we may discern a fool and discover him, a wicked man, for he is a foolish man. If we perceive not in him the lips of knowledge, if we find there is no relish or savour of piety in his discourse, that his communication is all corrupt and corrupting, and nothing in it good and to the use of edifying, we may conclude the treasure is bad. 2. How we must decline such a one and depart from him: Go from his presence, for thou perceivest there is no good to be gotten by his company, but danger of getting hurt by it. Sometimes the only way we have of rep”