How to Understand Your Bible- The Big Picture

If the Bible can mean anything, then it doesn’t mean anything. Do you know what I mean?

I had a conversation that went like this (actually, I have had a lot of these, and maybe that says something about my communication skills). “I heard what you said, and I know what you meant. And I disagree.”  Then I respond, “Yes. That is what I said. But that is not what I meant.” To which the expected reply comes, “Yes, you did. That is what you said.”

Now, in a situation like that, who is correct about meaning?