Are You Looking Through Denominational Glasses?

Reading the Bible Without Denominational Lenses

One of the most important questions every believer must ask is this: Am I letting Scripture speak for itself, or am I filtering it through the lens of my denomination?

Many Christians grow up within a church tradition—Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, or any other—and naturally adopt the doctrines taught within that group. But if you were to sit down and read the entire Bible, cover to cover, without any outside influence, would you come to the same conclusions as they did?

Scripture as the Final Authority

The Bible makes it clear that the Word of God is the standard for truth. The apostle Paul wrote:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

(2 Timothy 3:16, KJB)

Notice—profitable for doctrine. Every belief, teaching, and practice must be backed up by Scripture. If a doctrine cannot stand firmly on the Word of God, it cannot be true, no matter how many people believe it or how long it has been taught.

The Danger of Denominational Glasses

When we read the Bible through denominational “glasses,” we often end up confirming what we were already taught rather than discovering what God actually says. This is dangerous, because it can blind us to the full truth of Scripture.

For example, some highlight certain verses while ignoring others that may not fit their system. The result? Doctrines built more on tradition than on the plain reading of the Word.

Taking the Bible at Its Word

Imagine approaching the Bible with fresh eyes—no preconceived denominational framework, no church manual beside you, just the Scriptures themselves. Would you still conclude exactly what your denomination teaches? Or would you discover truths that challenge long-held assumptions?

Jesus Himself warned about this very issue:

“Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.”

(Matthew 15:6, KJB)

Tradition must always give way to truth. The question is not, Does my denomination teach this? but rather, Does the Bible teach this?

A Call to Honest Reading

As believers, we are called to test everything against God’s Word. That means being willing to lay aside denominational loyalty if Scripture shows us something different. The Bereans were commended because they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11, KJB).

Will we do the same?

Final Thought

The Word of God is living, powerful, and sufficient. If your beliefs cannot stand on the foundation of Scripture alone, then it’s time to re-examine them. Don’t let denominational bias cloud the truth. Open the Bible, read it for yourself, and let God’s Word speak plainly.