CHAPTER 11: THE OVERUSE OF SCRIPTURE
Right now the world is faced with false teachers, incorrect teachings, twisted into “concepts” of God, propaganda social media posts that our children read all day long. The same thing happens in the church. Opinions, not based in Scripture, are hugely popular and circulated throughout the community. Our kids are in the balance as is new believers of any age, old believers, all of us are at stake, the world is eroding the truth.
Abortion, homosexuality, government, socialism, democracy, even history itself is questioned and misrepresented for political, financial and/or personal gain. Chapter 11: the overuse of scripture are my notes that have been essential, my study, my experience, the culmination of years of experience, a timeline of God challenging me to be better. Challenging me to stand up straight and navigate giant world issues in my life, His way, the righteous way, the only way to stay the course and prevail the overwhelming enemy that came against me and comes against all of us every minute of every day. Without correct information we have a weapon with sites that are out of calibration. A rifle that does not shoot straight, a vehicle with incorrect steering, eyesight that is flawed without glasses, life that is off course.
I could’ve named this chapter “the misuse of scripture, or the lies about scripture, or incorrect scripture.” For me that didn’t say it. The overuse of scripture, either correctly, incorrectly, for selfish reasons, theology, guided correctly or incorrectly, misuse, whatever, people overuse scripture, good and bad, right and wrong. Misquoting, misrepresenting, over emphasizing, under emphasizing, failing to communicate in wisdom, any number of everything is at fault and causes so much anger, confusion and worse, misdirects those wanting truth, those who need the Lord, who whole heartedly want the Lord and could easily be misled, myself included.
There will be disagreements. A healthy discussion about such matters is a key element in fellowship. In the actual written word people can and do discuss God’s will and His actual history. There’s enough argument in truth. With absolute understanding and truth we come with questions and those questions given to an authentic, studied in the Word, prayed up, with a clear understanding of the teachings of Christ, can and will direct a lost individual into the loving arms of our Savior. Sometimes you are the only path a person has to such an individual or church. Be ready and wise in the ways of the Lord. And may I add, with all that God is a hard sell in this lifetime. With all the necessary information, God is still a very challenging topic and one that the world needs desperately. Now, if God is challenging, if Scripture is challenging in the best of situations, can you imagine what happens when things are not the best situation? When things are wrong, based in self, politically motivated, challenged by idiotic principals that are not principals at all. In unhealthy discussions things go completely sideways, false doctrine, arguments not using correct scripture are a part of the calamity we now see in every country around the globe. People can and will confound and confuse God’s Word to discredit and override the facts, historical evidence and remedies offered in the text. Without someone standing right there to correct an incorrect statement of the Word, people lose, period. We all lose, one person at a time.
James 1:26
New International Version
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
It is important to use correct scripture, not the overuse or blatantly incorrect teachings, or things you’ve heard, not verified and all manner in between. Knowing scripture may not save the world, but it may save your world or mine.
Matthew 24:10-12
New King James Version
10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
What does this have to do with your business? It’s an interesting point. I always say when doing business, “you need to know the animal.” If you take right, wrong, good and bad out of things and just look at a situation at face value, what will you see? At face value you will see little or nothing of great importance. The deeper questions reveal what a relationship may yield, profitable or possibly not so much. “Where is a person coming from?”Important to note. I can’t be of service in situations when I don’t know who or what I’m dealing with. “Is it a good fit?” “Can we do business together?” Carefully assess each conversation in order to proceed in a fundamentally sound method. Clearly, when I am faced with different life belief systems, I must absolutely be aware of their idea of “produce/deliver and collect”. If I don’t things can go sideways really quick. Long story short, people understand “delivery of product, payment schedules and contracts” very differently —- especially when backgrounds are inherently contrasted. It’s just a fact of life. How do I proceed in such relationships? Sometimes it is not a good fit and I need to accept that. Other times we can make it work. Take situations one line item at a time. “Assessments” are very important in all relationships. When money is involved things can get crazy, so “know the animal.” Know yourself, what you can do and what you can not do.
God’s word keeps me centered. Loving people is pretty hard especially in the name of whatever works for the selfish nature. I can get myself in a real mess with the wrong alliance. The world is full of treachery and crazy. Knowing scripture holds me in a better state of mind in all situations. My belief in the God of the Bible makes me an enemy of many, pitied by many and simply blown off. Does that mean I change? It means I must understand.
Matthew 24:10-14
New King James Version
10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
How does that help me in the deal I’m working on right now? Stay in the current deal, one thing at a time. Ask God with these “possible opportunities” for guidance and discernment. You can lean on God, He tells you that is what He wants you to do. He wants you to succeed, in all things, through the hard choices and in the commitment to your faith. The example of using scripture correctly is paramount in Chapter 11.
John 14:26
English Standard Version
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
You know what it’s like when our own children twist up our words to get what they want. How frustrating it is! Can you imagine God’s sadness at overusing, misusing His Word? The world is scary. It’s difficult especially with children. I’m worried and concerned. It’s challenging to know when to speak or not.
1 Timothy 1-4
New International Version
Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
Look, I know that scripture is a challenge for all of us. Personally, before Christ, my life was filled with nothing good. My practices, although well intentioned, were terribly incorrect and yielded limits to everything? Why did God rescue me? Why did He rescue you? Why didn’t He just leave me to myself — and my “nothing good” behavior? He could’ve and He didn’t. There are many who refuse the Lord. For some reason I did not — and you did not.
Romans 1:24-28
New International Version
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.
The Overuse of Scripture works on both sides, doesn’t it? Good meaning people overuse scripture “incorrectly,” if we don’t know the scripture, we are part of the problem and when the world twists the Bible how will we react if we already don’t get it? There are numerous preachers teaching false doctrine. Things people believe to be true that are simply not supported accurately by the Word. Scripture tells us this will happen.
Rom 16:17 (NET)
Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them!
Stay the course and keep the Holy Spirit as your guide to use scripture with understanding of one another’s challenges. Don’t let the ugliness get in the way. Don’t waste time on foolishness and disagreements.
Proverbs 26
4-5 There is no good way to answer fools when they say something stupid. If you answer them, then you, too, will look like a fool. If you don’t answer them, they will think they are smart.
We live in a world that is savage against the Lord and His people, so it’s best for me to quietly listen and see what the Lord wants me to do in all situations.
Luke 12:12
New International Version
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
Whether you are for the Lord or standing on the other side of those against the Lord, scripture, either accidentally by believers, or very purposely by the world, can and is overused, either incorrectly or inappropriately many times. I’ve struggled with this chapter for years, it’s a combination of a teaching and my experiences in life with myself and so many situations. Have I ever changed anybody’s mind about God? Yes and no. There have been temporary converts that changed and reached out to the Lord — until they were out of trouble and then back to the old ways. There have been converts that are still on the path today. Did I do that? Perhaps God allowed me to share in the miracle, perhaps my story spoke to their heart, I don’t know, rest assured God did the saving, not you or I.
I have a saying.., “the truth, to the right person and precisely the right time.” I try to remember that when I’m listening to people.
I best be cautious and alert when teaching others and sharing my testimony.
1 Peter 3:15
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Okay, Kids — Chapter 11 The Overuse of Scripture 2022
Let scripture fall as a light mist, refreshing and supportive, in the heat of these very challenging days.
Amen.
