The first rule of interpretation is reading the Scripture in its original context to draw out the original meaning. This is called exegesis. The next requirement is to accurately translate that material into our modern context while retaining the original meaning.
Example: Jesus said, "If your eye is good..." (Matthew 6:22, Luke 11:34)
In context, this is a Jewish idiom that means, ‘if your generous.’ However, people who don't know the context make all sorts of wild stabs in the dark about what it means. I've heard things like, "If your eye is single that means totally fixed on God or you're devoted to God."
This Scripture in its wider context is about handling material goods in a Godly way that doesn't take God's place in your life.
Now the worst thing you can do to the Biblical text is read meaning INTO the Scripture that isn't there. This is called eisegesis. Here is a classic example:
We are open and affirm LGBTQ. We are feminists and I believe Jesus was, too. We are environmentalists, which I believe that’s the original mandate of the children of God to take care of the planet that we all know and enjoy. We are anti-war, which I believe Jesus was, too. We are all for racial justice, which Jesus was a Palestinian. Jewish rabbi. He was a person of color that was killed by white supremacy so we’re usually making every effort to be on the frontlines for racial justice. So that’s what sets us apart from many American churches. ~Christopher VanHall, Pastor of the Greater Purpose Church
This numbskull ‘pastor’ is reading Jesus through the lens of radical modern-day Progressivism and creating a picture that is completely inaccurate. What's the danger? He's creating God in his own image. Last time I checked, this is a big no-no.
Paul puts it this way: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Be careful, people, how you handle God's Word.
The Truth Barista, Frothy Thoughts