"Men cannot make Scripture conform to their lifestyle; they must make their lifestyle conform to Scripture"

Edwin Louis Cole’s statement, “Men cannot make Scripture conform to their lifestyle; they must make their lifestyle conform to Scripture,” addresses the relationship between personal behavior and religious authority. The idea emphasizes the primacy of scriptural teachings over individual preferences or cultural trends. It highlights the potential tension between how people wish to live and the moral or ethical standards presented in religious texts, particularly in the Christian context where the Bible is seen as divinely inspired and authoritative.

Individuals are often tempted to interpret scripture in ways that justify their existing actions, values, or habits. This statement warns against such behavior, arguing that the purpose of scripture isn’t to simply affirm personal choices. Instead, it serves as a guide for how one ought to live. When someone seeks to reshape biblical teachings to match their own desires, they risk undermining the transformative power and integrity of those teachings.

The quote calls for humility and submission to a higher standard. It suggests that true faith or discipleship involves aligning one’s life to the principles, values, and commands found within Scripture, even when doing so requires personal change, discomfort, or sacrifice. Rather than molding sacred texts to suit contemporary lifestyle trends or moral shifts, it is the individual who must undergo transformation. This transformative process is often challenging, requiring self-reflection, discipline, and sometimes a reordering of priorities.

Cole’s reasoning is particularly relevant in societies that value personal autonomy and freedom, where there is a natural inclination to reinterpret religious, ethical, or moral guidance through the lens of individual experience. He challenges this, asserting that authentic spiritual growth and maturity is possible only when one accepts authority external to oneself. Thus, this viewpoint affirms that the Bible’s enduring authority should shape the direction of a believer’s life, keeping the focus on faithfulness to its teachings rather than on self-justification or adaptation to prevailing culture.