Common Misused and Misinterpreted Bible Passages.

There is a growing problem within the Christian community today. Many "Christians" do not read their bible, pray to their Lord or obey God's commands. Often times scripture, the words of God, are thrown around carelessly and without knowledge of their meaning. They are taken out of context and used as pick-me-ups. They are not used as they are meant to be, as the words "breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for corrections, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

For teaching; meaning to teach believers and non-believers the words of God, the history of man and the only way to salvation and eternity in heaven.

For reproof; this word means an expression of blame or disapproval. The Greek source of this word is also translated in Hebrews as "evidence." Evidence of our failure to be perfect, of our sins and our need for Jesus. We are to read the bible, realize time and time again the commands of God that we do not follow and repent of our actions. This means to stop doing the things God hates.

For corrections; meaning to correct ourselves and others so that we are always following sound scripture, the words and commands of God.

For training in righteousness. The word righteousness means a condition acceptable to God. We are to use the words of God to make ourselves acceptable to God, we will not attain that righteousness from our actions but we are called to continue to seek it. How can we do this? By using scripture to point out our own worthlessness (reproof) and correcting are sinful actions. That is what scripture is for. It is not to make one feel better.

With that said here is my opinion of a few of the most misused passages from the bible.

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"Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24)

Also in Luke:

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock." (Luke 6: 46-48)

This scripture is referenced often to implore others to make their foundation Jesus Christ. This sounds great and is a good practice, but it's not the whole message that is mentioned here. There are three words overlooked that bring fourth the true meaning here, "and does them." When Jesus speaks these words it is at the end of His Sermon on the Mount, a very long sermon outlining the reason He is there, the new covenant and His specific commands. This last passage is the final command Jesus is giving to the people as He is summing up His teachings.

"Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Jesus is urging us to obey His commands. You must DO His words, DO His commands. Jesus is not your foundation unless you are hearing and doing His commands. Yes, make Jesus your foundation, and do this by hearing His words and doing them. Believing in Jesus does not make Him our "solid rock." James states that "Even the demons believe..." Hearing His commands and obeying them makes Jesus our foundation. This is basic scripture. The fall of man was caused by Adam and Eve disobeying one single command of God.

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"Judge not that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

This scripture is used by "Christians" and non-Christians alike to defend some action, that God does not condone, that has been brought to their attention by a loving brother or sister in Christ who is moved by the Holy Spirit to save a loved one. This scripture by no means tells us not to judge. It states "Judge not that you be not judged."

Jesus goes on from there, "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not remove the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." We are not told to leave the speck in our brother's eye but to first judge ourselves, then we are able to judge others. This message is enforced by Paul when writing to the Corinthians. He is speaking to them about a fellow believer who has committed sexual immorality with his father's wife. He tells the church to "let him who has done this be removed from among you." And later he tells the church, "Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?" Again in Paul's letter to Timothy he begs, "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." And yet again in his letter to Titus, "Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with authority."

We are commanded to build each other up and protect our righteousness. This involves judging one another against God's commands with patience and teaching.

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"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

A common theme when scripture is misinterpreted is changing the meaning to benefit ourselves and not to glorify God. This scripture is no different. It is frequently quoted to explain that if you had faith in God you could do anything. Have faith in God and He will help you land that big promotion. Have faith in God and He will "bless" you with that vacation you always wanted. (You deserve it right?) Pray to God so He can make all of your dreams come true because all things are possible with God. You get my drift here.

Unfortunately this one sentence is taken out of the context of a 14 verse story of a rich young man. This man went to Jesus Himself and asked Him a question we all would like to know, "What good deed must I do to have eternal life?" Jesus goes on to tell him to keep the commandments, in which he replies that he has since he was a boy. Jesus then replies, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me."Jesus gives the man what he understands to be an impossibility as he "had great possessions." The man walks away from Jesus sorrowful. "When His disciples heard this they were astonished, saying, 'Who then can be saved?' But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"

Jesus is answering the disciples question of salvation. He told this rich young man to sell everything he owned, give it to the poor and put his complete faith in Jesus. An impossible endeavor by man's standards but a complete possibility by God's.

Think about it. If you stood before God the son, Jesus Christ, and asked him what you need to do to enter the kingdom of God, and he told you to sell your home, sell your cars, sell your stocks, sell your 401k, sell your TVs, sell your clothes, sell every single thing that you worked so hard to acquire and give the money to the poor. Then, quite your job, quite your worldly life that is acceptable to the eyes of sinful men and follow Jesus, His commands and teachings. Would you believe it was possible to survive? Would you believe that faith in Jesus was enough? Would you believe that the reward of a lifetime in God's presence was even worth the sacrifice on earth? I tell you today, with man this endeavor is impossible, but with God it is possible. And I pray that you believe so, because it is the command that Jesus our Lord gives us.