The Most Misused Verses in the Bible 1. “ AN EYE FOR AN EYE…” 2. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them…” 3. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged…” These common phrases—derived from the Bible—have often been misunderstood and misused. But when interpreted and applied properly, truths have shaped cultures and people throughout history. Believers regard the Bible as the place where God continues to speak truth into our lives, a “living and active” Word. However, if mishandled and used inappropriately, the Bible can turn into a dangerous book. This all leads to the purpose of this book: to come face-to-face with some of the most misused verses in the Bible, verses that have often lost their context today and taken on new meanings outside the stories and teachings of Scripture. Indeed, phrases like “an eye for an eye,” or “where two or three are gathered,” as well as “do not judge, or you too will be judged,” are a few of the more commonly misunderstood and misused verses. To be sure, the original author’s meaning and intent and the subsequent principles derived from that are fixed and eternal. Genesis 3 - Our first parents, Adam and Eve, knew nothing but innocence and blessing as those who were made in God’s image. God created a virtual paradise for them, it was here that Adam and Eve were charged with the command to rule over God’s creation, to subdue the earth, and to multiply in number. They enjoyed perfect fellowship with God. But, as we know, that would all change. God gave specific commands to Adam concerning the trees in the garden. The fruits of the trees were healthy and good, with the exception of one: He was not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, lest he die. What he did with these commands was a test of Adam’s obedience and character, and it was his obligation to teach them to the woman God would give him; at the time the commands were issued. Satan, he had several goals in mind: to destroy what God had made by perverting the truth. He wanted to be their master. The account begins: . His first blow was to cast suspicion and doubt on the Word of God: “Did God actually say…?” Then the serpent took things a step further. He intentionally misquoted God: “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” The serpent took God’s original command, that they were not to eat of a particular tree in the garden, and expanded it to sound like a prohibition against eating from any tree in the garden. So the very first question in the entire Bible is nothing less than a misquotation of God’s Word. But to Eve’s credit, she recited back to him the proper command, even though she bought into some of the confusion by adding to it a bit: Eve corrected the serpent by stating that they could eat from all the trees of the garden except for the one in the middle (presumably the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”). Yet Eve added that they were not even allowed to touch it, though God did not say that in his original command. But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” Genesis Rodriguezs 3:4-5). It’s as if Satan were asking, What’s with the rules? Why have boundaries? Weren’t you made to be free? Can’t you see that God is afraid you will end up being equal with him? The seeds of doubt that would lead to death were sown in front of her. The trap was set. Ironically, many world religions, cults, and forms of false teaching throughout history, and today, perpetrate some of these same ideas: Knowledge is the highest of virtues, one can become their own god, and unrestricted human freedom is a must. Of course we know the results of all of this. Eve took the fruit and ate it, as did Adam, who was with her at the time (3:6) The Pattern Continues If anyone was ever aware of Satan’s prolific efforts to misuse the authority of Scripture, it was Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, we see Satan using the same strategies as before. He attempts to exploit Jesus in a moment of human weakness with a full frontal assault upon the Word of God. The context is simple. In Luke 4 So as we begin this journey through some of the most misused verses in Scripture, we must first realize that misquoting and misusing God’s Word has been one of Satan’s key strategies and tactics in his attempts to undermine the rightful reign and authority of God in the world. In fact, this is how Satan led humanity down the path of destruction. When human beings fall into this temptation today by their own misuse or manipulation of Scripture, we only perpetuate the lies that can lead others astray. Therefore, it is all the more important that we investigate and rightly “divide the word of truth” in its proper context with as much precision and accuracy as possible. (Surprising Ways God’s Word Is Misunderstood - Author: Eric J. Bargerhuff ; Publisher: Baker Publishing Group )
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:11:00 +0000
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