What's your litmus test for what is God's meaning in each Scripture verse?

We are continuing our series of messages on common Christian sayings that aren't quite as true or Christian as we thtink. Today's is "God said it. I believe it. That settles it." What's wrong with it? I mean, God is the ultimate authority. Who are we to argue with God? Remember saying to your kids, "Because I said so!" Okay so this is a topic we're covering called "half-truths" so what's not quite right? Jesus followers don't always see eye to eye on different things. In healthy conversations we speak and listen and seek not to react. Thiis kind of statement sounds like a conversation ender. What they're actually saying is the Bible says it, I believe it. That settles it. There are several passages if we take them straight from the Bible without the context that are troubling. Lev 19:19 is about inside plumbing. At one time when indoor plumbing was being introduced some preachers preached against it because of this verse. Jesus would often say, you have heard it said, but I say.. He offered interpretation. This saying misses the mark. The saying doesn't reflect how Jesus teaches. When we read the Bible, we have to seek to understand the times, the circumstances, because we have to discern what about it is God's message. We have to study Scriptures diligently. That settles it hardly settles it. There are also translation issues. Biblical scholars often dissect what's the correct or appropriate translation. We have to understand the original audience. We have to be able to admit we could be wrong, This saying doesn't sound like it. We are humans and have biases and fallible human beings. Some will say that's picking and choosing what you want to believe. They act like they don't pick and choose. The importnat thing is to choose the right things and not the wrong things. We need a plumb line, a collander, a filter. I suggest that interpretive key is Jesus--His life, his ministry, his death and resurrection. Whatever blossoms in the light of the cross, we know is right. Whatever withers at the cross is not it. Come closer to the cross. Be loving enough to be willing to die for others, not loving enough to kill others.