A Christian should read the Bible with reverent esteem, diligent prayer, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit to illuminate the text. Scripture is the only rule for our faith and life, and it must be interpreted by comparing clearer passages with those that are more obscure.
The Scriptures are the very Word of God and are to be approached with high esteem and a firm persuasion of their divine origin. As taught in the Westminster Larger Catechism Q.157, we must read with diligence, meditation, self-denial, and constant prayer, acknowledging that it is the Lord who enables us to understand. Our reading must not be merely academic; it must be received with faith and love, aiming to lay the truth up in our hearts and practice it in our daily lives as described in the Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.90.
The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Scriptures, is the supreme interpreter. Because Scripture has one, literal sense intended by God, the infallible rule of interpretation is comparing Scripture with Scripture (Westminster Confession of Faith Ch.1 §9). We look to clearer passages to shed light on those that are more obscure, ensuring our understanding is consistent with the analogy of faith. As noted in The Art of Prophesying Ch.IV, we must be careful to consider the context and scope of a passage rather than forcing human-invented allegories upon the text. Ultimately, this Word is our only rule for glorifying and enjoying God (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.2).
We read the Bible not to earn favor, but because we are already accepted in Christ. The Scriptures are designed to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Him (2 Timothy 3:15). We are all broken, sinful creatures who cannot understand the things of God without His grace, yet we are deeply loved by a God who maintains constant, fatherly watchcare over us. Whether we are reading for doctrine, reproof, or instruction, our goal is to be fully equipped for every good work, living in the freedom of the gospel as we walk in the light of His Word.