🌿 Interpretation Is Everything: When Reading Scripture Shapes How We Read People

📖 Scripture Focus (NLT)

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” — Matthew 5:17

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’
But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” — Matthew 5:21–22

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” — John 16:13

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others.” — Matthew 7:1–2

🌸 Reflection: We Don’t Just Inherit Scripture — We Inherit Interpretation

From a young age, I was introduced to the Bible and the Pentecostal faith by my grandfather. He helped me understand the foundations of Christianity, and for that I’m forever grateful.

Although I understood the Pentecostal faith well, my immediate home didn’t follow religious customs during my childhood. My mother later came to faith and joined the Pentecostal church when I was already an adult. Still, the beliefs held by my extended family—particularly around topics like alcohol—remained very present.

One deeply held belief in my family was that drinking alcohol is a sin. And while I never personally believed that—and I never judged others who drank—I still carried the weight of that interpretation, especially when family was involved.

Whenever we hosted family for holidays, birthdays, or special dinners, my husband and I chose not to serve or drink wine. Not because we felt it was wrong, but out of love, respect, and, if I’m honest, fear of being judged.

My husband comes from an Italian Catholic background, where wine is not only normal—it’s sacred. It’s treated as a symbol of hospitality, reverence, and tradition. For him, wine at the table is no different than bread—it’s part of the blessing. But to avoid conflict or disapproval, we chose to hide something that was neither sinful nor shameful.

Over time, that choice began to create quiet tension—not with our guests, but within our home. We weren’t walking in personal conviction—we were walking on eggshells. And that’s when the Lord began to stir something deeper in my heart.

The issue wasn’t wine—it was fear. Fear of judgment. Fear of disappointing the very people we loved. And in that moment, I began to see Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:17–22 in a new light:

“You have heard it said… but I say…”

Jesus wasn’t just correcting bad behavior—He was correcting how we read the law. He was calling people out of surface-level religion and into heart-level transformation. It wasn’t enough to avoid murder—He wanted us to confront the anger and bitterness beneath it. In the same way, He’s inviting us not just to memorize Scripture, but to interpret it through love and truth.

🔍 When Misinterpretation Shapes Our Relationships

Misinterpreting Scripture doesn’t always come from bad intentions. But it can still lead to unnecessary fear, guilt, and division. Even if we don’t believe something in our hearts, when tradition is strong and voices are loud, we can start to behave as if we do—just to avoid conflict.

That’s not freedom. That’s fear disguised as peace.

And that fear can keep us from fully loving others—or receiving love ourselves.

📚 What Does the Bible Say About Judging Others?

Scripture is clear:

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others.” — Matthew 7:1–2

“Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God.” — Romans 14:10

“The Father... has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” — John 5:22

We are not the judge—Jesus is. And He is both full of truth and full of grace.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How Judgment Affects Our Families

Judgment often begins quietly—right at home.

• The relative who left the church

• The family member who sees faith differently

• The child who’s still figuring it out
  

Sometimes we judge out of fear: “If I don’t say something, am I condoning it?” Other times, we feel judged for simply living differently.

And what happens? Distance. Discomfort. Silence where there should be connection.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear...” — 1 John 4:18

When judgment leads the way, fear is close behind. And fear doesn’t build bridges—it builds walls.

📱 Is Today’s Society Feeding a Spirit of Judgment?

Yes—more than we realize.

Social media has made us constant consumers of other people’s lives. We scroll through curated faith, filtered convictions, and highlight reels of holiness. And before we know it, we’ve replaced grace with performance and discernment with comparison.

• They worship louder than me

• They dress more modestly

• Their family looks more spiritual
  
  

Judgment doesn’t need words—it grows in assumptions.

🙍🏽‍♀️ What Is This Doing to Young People?

It’s exhausting them.

This generation is growing up with everything public, everything shared, everything criticized. Many young people are walking away from church not because they don’t believe in God—but because they’ve felt constantly watched, evaluated, and misunderstood by people who claim to follow Him.

They don’t need another list of rules. They need relationship.
They don’t need religion that wounds. They need truth that heals.

✨ What Is Jesus’ Message to a Generation Drowning in Judgment?

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” — John 3:17

Jesus didn’t come to create critics.
He came to raise up disciples.
He didn’t come to condemn.
He came to cover.

To the one who feels judged — He says, “You are not your reputation.”
To the one who’s ashamed — He whispers, “You are seen and loved.”
To the one quick to judge — He asks, “Will you let Me examine your heart first?”

🍷 When Freedom Becomes a Struggle

While wine has cultural and biblical significance, we must acknowledge that for some, it becomes a burden—not a blessing.

Drunkenness is a serious issue in Scripture, not to shame people, but to protect them from harm.

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” — Ephesians 5:18
“Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.” — Proverbs 20:1

If you are struggling with alcohol misuse or addiction, you are not alone—and you are not beyond hope.

Jesus still breaks chains.

I encourage you to take one small step today:

• Reach out to a Christian counselor or recovery group

• Talk to a pastor or trusted friend

• Invite God into the places that feel hidden

• And if you need prayer, I’m here. Leave a comment below and I will stand with you.

🌈 Where Do We Go from Here?

We ask the hard, holy questions:

• Am I living in fear of judgment more than freedom in Christ?
  

• Am I interpreting Scripture through tradition—or through the Spirit?
  

• Am I changing my behavior to protect peace… or to avoid people?
  
  

We don’t throw out the Word—we learn to read it through Jesus.

We don’t abandon conviction—we walk it out in humility.

And we don’t live for the approval of people—we live for the love of God.

📝 Self-Reflection on Judgment and Grace

• What beliefs have I inherited that might need to be reexamined in light of Jesus’ teaching?
  

• Where have I changed my behavior out of fear of judgment?
  

• Am I reading Scripture to know Jesus—or to confirm what I was taught?
  

• Have I allowed fear of being misunderstood to lead my choices?
  

• Who have I silently judged, and how can I pray for them today?
  
  

🙏 Prayer

Jesus, You are the Living Word.
Help me read Your truth with a humble heart.
Where I’ve been misunderstood, bring healing.
Where I’ve hidden in fear, bring freedom.
Where I’ve been led by tradition, lead me by Your Spirit.

Help me to stop judging others.
Search my heart and show me where I’ve allowed assumptions or inherited beliefs to cloud my love for people.
Teach me to see others through Your eyes—not with criticism, but with compassion.
Make me quick to listen, slow to speak, and rich in grace.

May my life and my home reflect grace, not guilt.
Love, not legalism.
And may my table always reflect You.

Amen.

💌 Let’s Continue the Conversation

Have you ever changed your behavior out of fear of being judged by others?
Have you struggled with inherited beliefs that created tension in your home or your heart?

You are not alone. So many of us have walked this same path—trying to honor loved ones while seeking to live in the freedom Jesus gives.

If this devotional spoke to you, I invite you to leave a comment below. You can share your story, your thoughts, or even a prayer. This space is safe, Spirit-filled, and covered in grace.

Your voice matters. Your heart is seen.
And your journey is part of something sacred.

Let’s walk in truth together—without fear, without shame, and with Jesus at the center. 🤍