When I was younger, the Word of God was held in the utmost reverence. I vividly remember a time in my childhood when the Bible was taken seriously, raised during worship, used in political and legal arenas, and served as the final “mic drop” moment for any potential argument. The Bible was the highest standard for Christians and even respected by some non-Christians. It was Truth—period.
I don’t believe that is the case in America any longer. It happened as a slow fade, but gradually over time, society eased away from the occasionally uncomfortable truths of Scripture and began to disregard the Bible altogether. That’s not surprising, coming from the world—but it was a bit more shocking to see it start to happen among professing believers…more disturbing still to watch it happen from the pulpit of churches.
There are Christians in foreign countries today risking their lives to have underground church or to even possess a Bible. And as comfortable Christians in America, we often can’t bother ourselves to spend time reading it daily. Yikes! We’re so concerned about losing freedoms that we don’t seem to appreciate our access to God’s Word. What a tragedy.
It’s heartbreaking to see how far we’ve come in the wrong direction as a country. If Christians don’t take a stand now to maintain the reverence of the Word of God, who will? If even Protestant churches are preaching false gospels and motivational sermons, pushing prosperity, and promoting other distorted views of the Word, how will anyone come to a true saving faith in Christ? We must call these things out for what they are.
Admittedly, some false gospels are subtle and harder to identify than others, but there are also blatantly plain methods of scriptural abuse that are clear—if we’re willing to look them in the eye and rebuke them. We can’t worry about our corporate reputation, our popularity on social media, or about being “tolerant” anymore. The cost is too high. Open your eyes and identify what is happening around you so that you don’t fall prey to these schemes of the enemy.
Here are five troubling ways that culture twists Scripture.
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1. Taking Verses out of Context
This one is perhaps the most subtle if you aren’t familiar with the Word of God yourself. You’ve probably heard the phrase “coffee cup verses,” which essentially means verses that sound good by themselves but often are taken out of context to be slapped on a coffee mug or a piece of art. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of those (ESV). “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
This verse can certainly be encouraging for all Christians—but it was a specific message to the Jews that had been living under extreme oppression and taken into exile. It was all part of God’s larger plan for His people and their repentance. It wasn’t meant to be a guarantee today for me, you, and your neighbor down the street. Unfortunately, too many prosperity preachers use this verse as a “name it and claim it” strategy that always falls short. Context matters!
Another popular “coffee cup verse” is 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” This is not a verse about political America. Once again, it was meant for a particular people group (the Jews) at a particular time (coming home from exile). Revival still happens and should be prayed for and sought after—and I believe we are to pray Scriptures like these—but to believe that there is a guaranteed formula of success because of this verse is misleading.
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2. Interpreting Scripture through Feelings
One of the biggest and most damaging messages of the Emergent Church today is placing an emphasis on feelings rather than on Scripture. If a verse makes someone feel bad, they think it surely can’t mean what it says it means. So, they basically change the meaning of a verse to be comforting rather than convicting. Don’t fall into this trap! Take the Word of God for what it says. The Bible is God’s chosen method for revealing Himself and His character to us. As limited, finite humans, we’re not going to always understand or “feel” that we agree. Feelings can be good indicators, but they can also be misleading. Stand on the Word of God, not on your ever-fluctuating emotions.
3. Disregarding Verses That Aren’t “Red Letters”
There’s a movement today that’s all for dismissing the parts of the Bible that aren’t “red letters,” or rather, Jesus’ directly spoken words. People want to dismiss the Old Testament in its entirety, or not put as much trust into the narratives of the New Testament that aren’t spoken by Christ. This gives them an “out” to disregard the words of the apostles, perhaps most especially Paul. But the Bible makes it clear that all Scripture is inspired by God and was given via the Holy Spirit to men who wrote it down. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” It’s outright foolish to dismiss large chunks of the Bible and only take to heart the red letters. Don’t be deceived!
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4. Not Preaching Expository
Not all preachers teach expository in method, which isn’t necessarily wrong in and of itself, but it does present a huge opportunity to fall into the trap of motivational speaking rather than gospel preaching. Topical sermons occasionally have their place in the church, but a preacher who systematically works his way through an entire book of the Bible at a time (expository) is going to be less likely to stumble into taking verses out of context or trying to make a verse say what he needs it to say for the benefit of his “feel good” sermon.
5. Not Believing the Bible Is Inerrant
Christians today, unfortunately influenced by false prophets, tend to struggle to believe the Bible is inerrant. But Scripture itself tells us that it is.
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:16-21 ESV)
Well-known pastor Voddie Baucham has a wonderful quote on this same topic that ties into those Scriptures in 2 Peter. “I choose to believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses that report supernatural events which took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and claim to be divine rather than human in origin.”
The Bible was technically written down by men — yes — but it was inspired by God. That means God revealed what He wanted revealed and kept secret what He wanted kept secret. We can trust that—and trust Him.
As believers, we must know what we believe and be confident in it. We’re called to share that belief with others. 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) says “…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”
To know what we believe, to adequately give answers to others, to understand context, and to discern false teaching from the world and the church alike, we must first know what the Word of God says for ourselves. Spend time in the Word, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal Truth to you. Don’t just listen to others preach — investigate for yourself. You’ll never be sorry.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Claudio Ventrella
Originally published Friday, 28 May 2021.
