CHAPTER 11: THE OVER-USE OF SCRIPTURE 2024
This Chapter is about Power. With power, without power, correctly motivated power, incorrectly motivated power. Power comes in many forms, both good and very bad. This is a tough concept to explain. I might have titled the chapter incorrect use of power, or stupid, or hurtful, or something along those lines. That wouldn’t cut it, to over-use, is to extend the boundaries of something dangerously. Arguing about it only makes it worse.
Titus 3:9-11
New King James Version
9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second [a]admonition,
11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
Scripture is the most powerful thing in the universe. The over-use, i.e., the extending of the boundaries originally intended is dangerous. Scripture needs no turbo-charger. It stands as. I am tasked with learning. Taking it out of context, again, very dangerous. Scripture is a powerful tool to thwart the enemy’s hideous plans, and engage God’s plan for you. It is not a tool of hurting or crushing the hearts of others. Politics in the church is a slippery slope.
Romans 16:17-20
English Standard Version
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,[a] and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
People use power for dishonorable reasons, scripture, unfortunately can be used for the same. Personal gain, political advantage, a dangerous and damaging option for those who choose to use it for such reasons. I am staying away from the word “misuse” or “illegal”, and I’m doing so to exemplify two words, “over-use.” Meaning over reaching what was intended and that is a breach of fiduciary duty and will be very damaging to all parties. Power, if you take right, wrong, good and bad out of it, is still power. A saw is still a saw whether it cuts wood or your hand. There was a television show I enjoyed years ago, it was called “Tool Time.” It was about a man who did “over-use” tools and it was quite funny. The end result was comical, the leaf blower blew the yard into the street, a dishwasher took over the kitchen and a vacuum cleaner nearly vacuumed up the children. It is not comical when scripture and God is used as a political agenda in the church, basing actions in scripture that should not be taken, and immediately the yield is pushing families away and breaking people’s stride in Christ.
This week’s Chapter 11, The Over-use of Scripture will in fact damage people, families, church, culture, countries, nations — in short scripture is power, to be used by God’s children for His purpose, not the world.
James 3:1
New International Version
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Romans 14:13
New International Version
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
I say “over-use” is a problem. Scripture has much power. ”Why not say misuse, or false use? That will cause arguments that will not come to a good end. Both sides will deliver blows according to misinformation, and heated discussions that will not glorify God.
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.
Power correctly used, requires a person to lead, teach and inspire if a company or a life, a country or a world is to succeed. I’ve heard people say a lot about praying to God, and I wonder what God? As we go into this season of Election, be clear, there are good people on both sides, and there are bad people on both sides, no different than in church and out of church. Keep that in mind as you pray for Discernment.
Matthew 6
New International Version
Verse 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Used by the enemy for selfish gain, a fool can be fooled, a leader will stumble, a believer will fall and a nation will crumble. In God’s word as it was intended, is the Truth, is the power, as written, in context.
Proverbs 18:2
English Standard Version
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
John 17:17
New International Version
17 Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth.
When scripture is found in an over-use there is always damage. In California last year the Governor of California cited Mark 12:31, “love your neighbor as yourself,” to validate and push people to support abortion rights. The Governor placed that scripture on billboards all over the state. unfortunately, arguably what would have been correct?
Exodus 20:13 King James Version. 13
Thou shalt not kill.
You can see how much hideous back-lash is caused. What is correct?
Deuteronomy 4:2
New International Version
2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.
I have heard that there are three sides to a story, let me clarify, my side, your side and God’s truth.
What is my personal scripture for this topic of abortion?
Matthew 18:14
New King James Version
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Right now the world is faced with false teachers, incorrect teachings, “concepts” of God, false gods, propaganda against God, social media madness regarding God, pornography, child trafficking, fake news weaponized against all that is holy, causing emotional harm and global damage. All of it “over-use” of power. Crime, at an all time high, suicide, deception, lack of God. The book is for all to see, why are we blind? We are using the power of men, rather than the power of God and when we use the power of God, because of the influence of the world, scripture is twisted up for the purposes of personal gain.
Hosea 7:15
New International Version
I trained them and strengthened their arms,
but they plot evil against me.
How do I handle money? Where do I save, where do I spend? Who is in charge of my mind? What, big question here, where am I jealous, ah, jealous, therein’ lies the trap.
Psalm 73:1-84:11
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
my steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Jealous, anything selfishly motivated that does not promote God’s point entirely. What about the election? Some people say, “I’m just not going to vote, both sides are crazy.” That may be true, which side is closer to God is the question. Plato, an ancient Greek philosopher noted, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Jesus Christ the son of man, messiah and King of Kings came to forgive you.
1 Samuel 12:14b-15
New International Version
14b and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! 15 But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.
So what happens when twist all the up and announce, “the republican party will destroy America,” or “the democratic party has already destroyed America!”
Isaiah 5:20
New International Version
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Mankind will, left to itself, “over-use” facts and half baked information to do whatever is necessary to achieve power, even if it means quoting the Bible as a pharisee, priest, holy man, pastor, elder or atheist.
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.
Matthew 24:10-14
New King James Version
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
How does that help me in the deal I’m working on right now? How frustrating it is! God gives us an answer, if one is willing to listen!
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.
1 Timothy 6-8
New International Version
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.
What’s worse, power without the Word, or using the Word to garner authority over others? You tell me. Remember breach of fiduciary duty? Mistake is failure to repent.
Romans 2:5-14 New International Version
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
A stark reminder of how one can blow up all chance of goodness — one more time, using information by the “over-use” option of the facts to do what was never intended. Either justifying or being incorrectly taught by a selfishly, jealous somebody in a position of authority.
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.
I always say, “quote the right price”, not above or below, and then do not negotiate, because what is fair has already been said. On those days when you feel like “over-selling” be watchful of those who are pushing an issue, an agenda, opting to “over-use” power of any kind, especially scripture. Just pray and do what is correct, using scripture correctly, as it was meant.
Psalm 37:23-24
New Living Translation
The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Not necessary to “over-use” power for He has all of it. Not necessary to “over-use” or “over-sell” scripture or “self-promotion” of any kind, the Truth as it stands is sufficient. Testimony of Christ is more powerful than any “man created concept.” Use it.
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.”
In order to do that, I guess I’d have to know the scripture. Get it? To use it, and help myself and others, I must know what it says in context, correctly and then pray that the Lord show me what to do with it. Simple? Apparently not, look at our nation.
Chapter 11 The Over-use of Scripture 2024,
Simply put
Power, left unchecked without the one True God, is a nuclear bomb..
The power of correct Scripture infinitely greater than any power in the universe multiplied by infinity…
Scripture is God and God is all powerful
Before using, Read the directions, understand what it means..
Okay, let me lighten it up a little: Let scripture fall as a light mist, refreshing and supportive, in the heat of these very challenging days. Amen.
