The Lens Through Which We Read
Chapter Six: Reading in Worship
Letting God Define God
When we open the Bible, we are not merely studying a text. We are encountering the voice of the living God. This means that Bible reading is not just an academic task—it is an act of worship. And worship, at its core, is about honoring God for who He truly is. That is why interpretation matters. Every time we interpret Scripture, we are either exalting the God who is, or reshaping Him into something more palatable—something more like us. Faithful interpretation begins with a posture of humility and a commitment to this single, worshipful conviction: God has the right to define Himself.
The First Temptation: Redefining God
In the Garden, Satan’s first strategy was not to outright deny God’s existence. It was to redefine His character.
“Did God really say…?” “You will not surely die…” – Genesis 3:1, 4
The implication was clear:
God is holding something back.
God isn’t being honest.
God isn’t as good or trustworthy as He says.
This is the root of almost every interpretive error: We stop letting God define Himself. Instead, we start to filter Him through:
Our feelings
Our traditions
Our fears
Our culture
The moment we do, we are no longer worshiping the God of Scripture—we are worshiping an edited version.
Interpretation as a Form of Worship
When we come to Scripture with reverence and submission, we are saying:
“God, You are who You say You are. Speak, and I will listen. Reveal Yourself, and I will believe—not just the parts I understand, but all of You.”
That is worship. It is not just singing. It is not just feeling. It is reading the Word with awe, letting God's self-revelation shape how we see everything—Him, ourselves, the world, and eternity.
Why Worship Requires Theological Accuracy
You cannot worship a God you’ve misunderstood.
You cannot love a God you refuse to let speak.
You cannot follow a Christ who has been stripped of His divinity, authority, or truth.
Real worship flows from right knowledge. And right knowledge flows from faithful interpretation.
“This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” – John 17:3 (WEB)
The Interpreter’s Posture: Trembling, Not Taming
“To this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.” – Isaiah 66:2 (WEB)
Interpretation is not about taming God into something more understandable. It’s about trembling before a God who is greater than our categories. It’s not about adjusting the Word to fit our experience. It’s about adjusting our lives to reflect His revealed truth.
The Fruits of Worshipful Reading
When we interpret with the fear of God and the lens of His attributes:
We rejoice more fully in grace
We repent more deeply of sin
We marvel more profoundly at His holiness
We stand more firmly on His promises
We rest more securely in His sovereignty
We proclaim the Gospel more boldly
Because we are no longer reading the Bible as consumers looking for inspiration. We are reading as worshipers seeking to know, love, and obey the God who is.
Conclusion: Let the Text Lead You to the Throne
Worship begins not with a song, but with a surrender. When we come to the Bible and let God define God, we are joining the chorus of heaven that cries:
“Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies.” – Isaiah 6:3 (WEB)
Interpretation, when done rightly, is not a threat to worship. It is worship. Because it magnifies the One who spoke, reveals, saves, and reigns.