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Many people today have complicated (sometimes painful) feelings about the Bible. If that’s you, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. For a long time, I hated the Bible. It felt like a weapon. One that had been used to control women, silence questions, and justify injustice. I wanted nothing to do with it.

But over time, something changed.

Through a gentle and wise friend, I began to see the Bible differently, not because she “preached” at me, but because she lived in a way that showed a healthier, more respectful relationship with Scripture. Eventually, I began to rebuild my own understanding of what the Bible really is, and what it isn’t.

The Bible Isn’t the Problem. Misuse Is

Think of the Bible like a car. Some people drive safely and responsibly, while others are reckless. The Bible, like a vehicle, can be used for great good (or terrible harm) depending on who’s holding the wheel.

If you’ve only seen the Bible used as a tool of judgment, exclusion, or control, it makes sense that you’d want to stay far away. But just like with bad drivers, the issue isn’t the car; it’s how it’s used.

A Fresh Lens on the Old and New Testaments

Let’s break it down:

• The Old Testament is about God’s covenant with a people, building a nation, and establishing justice in a deeply broken world. It’s also packed with prophetic clues leading up to the arrival of Jesus.
• The New Testament is a record of life after Jesus’ resurrection, how people formed communities of faith and what a relationship with Jesus looked like in real time.

One way to think about it: the Old Testament is like the earliest version of a mobile phone, clunky and foundational. The New Testament is like having a text line with God through Jesus. He’s the connection point, the signal booster, the living message.

The Bible Reflects You

Michelle Obama once said the presidency doesn’t change who you are, it reveals who you are. The Bible can do the same.

• If you’re prideful, insecure, or looking for power, you can twist Scripture to serve your agenda.
• But if you’re humble, compassionate, and seeking truth, you’ll find verses that inspire you to love better and live more justly.

That’s why both Martin Luther King Jr. and the architects of the Spanish Inquisition could quote the Bible, just with very different intentions.

Don’t Throw Away the Bible: Reframe It

It’s tempting to walk away from the Bible altogether, especially when it’s been used to hurt you or those you love. But I believe there’s a better way: learn how to approach it with fresh eyes and a healthy heart.

You don’t have to use it like others have.
You don’t have to read it like others do.
You just need to know how to “drive” it with wisdom and care.

I’ll be unpacking more of this in upcoming episodes: how to understand Scripture without fear, guilt, or confusion. But for now, just know this: the Bible, like Jesus, is worth holding onto. You just have to learn how to use it wisely.