Misused Bible Verses (Notes)

Introduction

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Bible was written by nearly forty human authors over a period of 1,500 years. The Bible is consistent and lacks contradiction. The Bible is a powerful book. However, if mishandled and used inappropriately, the Bible can turn into a dangerous book.

Speech given in Munich, Germany April 12, 1922

My feelings as a Christian point me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter. It points me to the man who once in loneliness, surrounded only be a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them…In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and of adders. How terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison! –Adolf Hitler

Hitler was referring to Mathew 12:34, taking the words of Jesus that was directed towards certain wicked men, and with one broad stroke, painted an entire people group with the same brush, hanging the label POSION on all of them.

Where it all began

A. Genesis 2:16-17 - “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

B. First Question in the Bible: “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” – Satan (Genesis 3:1)

a. He wanted to cast suspicion and doubt on the Word of God.

b. He misquoted the Word of God.

At the heart of all human sinfulness is lawlessness and the prideful appeal to be our own god. To determine our own destiny. To have our own way. To throw off restrictions and doubt the integrity of God’s goodness. To doubt the trustworthiness of His Word. And all we need to do in order to start down that path is to give Scripture a new context, twist its meaning, or interpret it in a way that appeals to the supremacy and glory of man.

Satan vs Jesus

1. Satan misused verses from Psalm 91: 11, 12 when tempting Jesus

a. “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you, and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone” Psalm (story in Luke 4)

2. Jesus answers with Scripture, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’ (Deuteronomy 6:16)

3. All responses were Scripture

a. Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:13, 6:16

Armor of God

1. Our only offense weapon we have when it comes to the armor of God is the Word of God.

2. The Bible is the Sword of the Spirit- Offense

3. All others our defensive weapons which we need for the devil’s attacks.

A. Misuse of the Scriptures has been evident since creation

a. There is nothing new under the sun – Ecclesiastes 1:9

We should remember that “all Scripture is God breathed,” or inspired by the Holy Spirit, and as such it is without error and never contradicts itself because God never contradicts himself. Therefore it is always wise to interpret a given passage of Scripture by comparing it with the principles and teachings found elsewhere in Scripture. This provides a healthy check and balance and helps us avoid misinterpretations, logical inconsistencies, and inappropriate applications.