Why Truth Must Shape Our Experience, Not the Other Way Around
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
As I look back at every area of freedom, healing, and understanding I’ve written about so far, there is one common thread running through it all, it all came from learning to read the Word of God rightly.
I didn’t change because my circumstances changed. My circumstances began to change because my mind changed.
And my mind changed when I allowed the Word of God, not experience, not tradition, not people’s opinions, to become my ultimate rule of life and action.
When Experience Interprets the Word (Instead of the Word Interpreting Life)
For a long time, I didn’t realise this, but I was allowing my life experiences to determine what Scripture meant. If something painful happened, I adjusted my theology to accommodate it. If prayers seemed unanswered, I reinterpreted God’s character. If I saw suffering, I concluded it must be God’s will.
As I shared in the previous post, God’s Goodness in Every Season, my view of God had been shaped by people interpreting Scripture and events in ways that suited a particular narrative. That realisation was uncomfortable, but necessary. I understood that I had a lot to unlearn.
Choosing to Read the Bible for Myself and Renewing the Mind
I had to make a drastic decision and this led me to this:
- I began to approach the Word differently.
- I stopped reading it with preconceived conclusions.
- I stopped borrowing interpretations just because they sounded spiritual.
- I stopped justifying defeat with Bible verses.
Instead, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me understand the Word as it was written, in context, and in line with the New Covenant. I had memorised Scripture from a young age, but memorisation without revelation will only take you so far. As I often say now, my faith was largely borrowed. I believed what people said more than what God said, until I chose to read for myself and allow God to speak to me directly through His word.
Romans 12:2 became real to me in a way it never had before. Renewing the mind is not about positive thinking. It’s about replacing old belief systems with God’s truth. I realised something sobering, a person can walk with God for many years and still live a defeated life, not because God failed them, but because their mindset never aligned with truth.
And sometimes, Scripture is even used to justify that defeat, simply because people are afraid of disappointment and haven’t truly understood God’s heart.
Facts vs Truth: God Responds to Faith in His Word
One of the most freeing distinctions I learned was the difference between facts and truth.
Facts are what I see, feel, or experience
Truth is what God’s Word says
Facts may describe a situation, but truth defines reality. This is why Scripture asks:
“Who has believed our report?” (Isaiah 53:1)
God is not asking who has seen the situation. He is asking who has believed His Word about it. The Bible repeatedly shows us that God looks for people who will trust Him.
“The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
“The LORD said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.’”( Jeremiah 1:12)
“Without faith it is impossible to please God. Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Faith is not pretending. Faith is choosing to believe what God has said even before we fully understand it. Understanding often comes later. Watchout for a post that will dig deeper on the topic of Faith.
Obedience Before Understanding
This became a guiding principle for me. Just like food nourishes the body before we understand digestion, the Word works before we fully understand how it works.
I learned to:
- Believe before I understood
- Obey before I felt confident
- Stand on Scripture before results appeared
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
The Word of God is alive. It is a seed.
“So is My word that goes out from My mouth: it will not return to Me empty.” (Isaiah 55:11)
When planted, it produces fruit, in time there are no two ways about it.
Letting Go of Additions and Religious Practices
Another hard but freeing lesson was this, if it’s not in the Word, don’t do it.
I saw how easily people add practices, formulas, or rituals borrowed from other places and then attach God’s name to them. When those practices don’t “work,” the conclusion becomes some justifications that goes against the character of God or the worst of them all, “God doesn’t answer prayer.”
But God is faithful to His Word, not to what we add to it.
“Let God be true, and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4)
The Word is enough. And it must always be read in context, and through the lens of the New Covenant (which we’ll explore in the next post).
From Condemnation to Confidence
One of the most beautiful shifts for me was this, I stopped feeling condemned when my life didn’t yet line up with the Word. Instead, I felt encouraged. Because if God says something about me, that’s who I am becoming. I might not see it now in the physical but in the spirit it is done and I will certainly experience it in the physical. So I keep holding onto His promises for in Him, all His promises are yes and amen.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord..” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
I focused on God, trusting that He would grow me into Christlikeness, not through pressure, but through grace. As one of my favourite teachers says:
“Our experiences should line up with the Word of God, not the other way around.”
Living Anchored in the Word
Today, the Word of God is my:
- Anchor when emotions rise
- Compass when life feels uncertain
- Mirror when I forget who I am in Christ
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
The Word does not condemn, it corrects, restores, and builds. And when we allow it to rule our thinking, peace replaces panic, and faith replaces fear.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
A Prayer from My Heart
Father, Thank You for Your Word is true living and powerful,
Teach me to love Your truth more than my own opinions.
Help me to renew my mind daily and align my life with what You say.
Where I am still growing, give me grace.
Let Your Word shape my thoughts, my choices, and my future.
I choose to believe You, even before I fully understand.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen. ❤️
If you’re realising that some things need to be unlearned, or that your understanding of God may have been shaped more by experience than Scripture, you’re not alone. And if you want to learn how to read the Bible through the lens of grace, truth, and the New Covenant, we would love to walk with you. The next post will explore Understanding the Old and New Covenant, because how we divide the Word determines how we live it. Reach out. Join the conversation. Truth brings freedom.