Since I've become a Reformed Christian, I have learned to pay very close attention to how Scripture is to be used in context. D. James Kennedy use to say that "a text without a context is a pretext". Many Christians treat Scripture like a self help book, quoting passages as platitudes, life verses, or anything except as the Word of the Living God, given to us for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
Prompted by a recent board discussion, I thought this would be a valuable poll. (Perhaps you have caught yourself misusing some of these scriptures, and this poll will help you to consider the context of Scripture and increase understanding.)
Prompted by a recent board discussion, I thought this would be a valuable poll. (Perhaps you have caught yourself misusing some of these scriptures, and this poll will help you to consider the context of Scripture and increase understanding.)
I have included ten and the list goes as follows:
“Touch not my anointed ones…” (1 Chronicles 16:22) (Used by false prophets and charlatans to shield themselves from criticism).
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) (Used by modern “wonderful plan” evangelicals for promising vain temporal blessings to potential converts. Jeremiah 21:10 is not quite as popular. Works well in America, but not so well in Sudan.)
“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!" And God granted what he asked.” (1 Chronicles 4:10) (See above. Also popular in the Word Faith movement.)
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,” (Philippians 3:13) (Used by many churches to justify not dealing with problems or sin in the church.)
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20) (Used to ignore church government or as justification by many to start their own church.)
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1) (A favorite of non-believers and antinomian church goers to justify their own wickedness.)
“My kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36) (Used as an excuse by spineless Christians to draw back into cultural retreat.)
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) (Used to make light of sin, i.e. “Don’t feel guilty over your sin. After all, everybody does it.”)
“He who sits in the heavens laughs…” (Psalms 2:4) (This is speaks for itself. See how it is used in this article.)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). (Used to support egalitarianism in marriage and for the ordination of female pastors.)
“Touch not my anointed ones…” (1 Chronicles 16:22) (Used by false prophets and charlatans to shield themselves from criticism).
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) (Used by modern “wonderful plan” evangelicals for promising vain temporal blessings to potential converts. Jeremiah 21:10 is not quite as popular. Works well in America, but not so well in Sudan.)
“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!" And God granted what he asked.” (1 Chronicles 4:10) (See above. Also popular in the Word Faith movement.)
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,” (Philippians 3:13) (Used by many churches to justify not dealing with problems or sin in the church.)
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20) (Used to ignore church government or as justification by many to start their own church.)
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1) (A favorite of non-believers and antinomian church goers to justify their own wickedness.)
“My kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36) (Used as an excuse by spineless Christians to draw back into cultural retreat.)
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) (Used to make light of sin, i.e. “Don’t feel guilty over your sin. After all, everybody does it.”)
“He who sits in the heavens laughs…” (Psalms 2:4) (This is speaks for itself. See how it is used in this article.)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). (Used to support egalitarianism in marriage and for the ordination of female pastors.)
I'm sure that this is not an exhaustive list. Feel free to add others and the way that they are misused.
4 comments:
I voted Matt 7:1, but another one is John 3:5 which the cults use to say we need a water baptism to be saved.
And John 3:3 the modern evangelists use to say you must accept Jesus to become born again.
If a person could accept Jesus before they were born again, they would not need to be born again. :)
Two more that I neglected which may be among the top misused passages today.
1.) 1 Cor. 6:19, used to promote "healthy living", when the verse is actually speaking about sexual immorality.
2.) Romans 6:14, used to support antinominianism.
Galations 3:28 does not have anything to do with woman pastors, that may be your personal comment but not scriptural! Paul is very clear about woman pastors! Remember what Gods warns us about at the end of Revelations. Selah
Jim,
I think we agree, hence the title of this thread.
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