CHAPTER 11: THE OVER-USE OF SCRIPTURE 2025
Look people have spit scripture at me for years, it’s irritating. Sometimes it’s even worse. Telling me stories of God without scripture, as if suddenly I’m looking at the only expert in the world sent by God to save my lame, good for nothing self is not easy to navigate and not helpful or inspiring. I’m not sure which is worse, no scripture in one’s life, or the over use scripture to make a personal point rather than a point actually made by God, delivered in scripture.
Titus 3:9-11 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.
I look at it like this. Scripture is powerful. Anything powerful has to be handled with respect, right? Over use, is improper.
Romans 16:17-20 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.
I am staying away from the word “misuse” or “illegal”, and I’m doing so to exemplify two words, “over-use.” Meaning not what was intended. 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. The end result? The leaf blower blew the yard into the street, a dishwasher took over the kitchen and a vacuum cleaner nearly vacuumed up the children. So, scripture, basically, must be used, not too much, not too little, perfectly. Now, that takes some thought. I want to make something super clear.
Scripture is, as it stands, is the most important connection to God available to mankind. Without it, understanding God, is at best, impossible…, that being said using scripture out of context is very damaging…
2 Peter 3:16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
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 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.
Then why bother using scripture at all? It’s too much work. The short answer? For our children. Don’t be dumb when it comes to the knowledge of God. Who will teach them, if you don’t? Scary, concept. Something will fill the void, either with God, or without God. Please God, let it not be the latter. Keep that in mind as you pray for Discernment in this and all areas of life. Pray well, in earnest.
Matthew 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.
It is true the enemy will surely use those who boast with scripture. Our enemy knows the scripture better than all. It is a delight for satan to use scripture to mock God’s children.
Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
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. That was a terrible over-use of scripture, incorrect, and terribly unfortunate. What would have been correct?
Matthew 18:14 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? Easy answer. We are using the power of men, rather than the power of God. In the influence of the world, scripture is twisted up for the purposes of personal gain.
Hosea 7:15 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. I want what “they” have.
Psalm 73:2 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.
Again, why even bother to learn scripture, it’s too difficult and I’ll probably get it wrong anyway. 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.” Is the answer to “government gone mad” in the Bible? Yes, it is.
1 Samuel 12:14b-15 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.
Everybody has an opinion. “My opinion”, based on me, could be considered the over-use of stupid.
Isaiah 5:20 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 out of context.
James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Hold on tight, don’t let go. Read the scripture as if the study of it, is the very air necessary for life. Pray, the Lord place it on your lips perfectly. 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 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.
What’s worse, power without the Word, or using the Word to garner authority over others and in doing so turning them away from it? You tell me. Remember breach of fiduciary duty? Mistake is failure to repent.
1 Timothy 6-8 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.
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.
Psalm 37:23-24 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.”
Look, all of us have been given too much to disregard God’s word or to use it incorrectly. It is there, study tools are available and the Holy Spirit is standing by for those who have the heart and dedication to learn. Without correctness, nothing matters.
—Ecclesiastes 2:11 NLT “But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”
King Solomon wrote that. What does it mean? It means without God, nothing matters. Solomon had everything, absolutely everything a man could want. And in the end, what did Solomon know? Only in God’s work, in His Majesty is our purpose.
Psalm 119:105 Nun 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
When you read that scripture in the Bible there is the word “Nun” before the scripture. Do you know what it means? In Psalm 119, the Hebrew letter Nun (נ) signifies life, continuity, and growth.
Scripture is not a big deal, it is the biggest deal. God’s own Word, given as a forever gift to you and I, if we choose to study.
Ephesians 3:19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
What good is your company, how good can it be, if you’re just relying on yourself. Without God, I am nothing more than an insignificant puff of smoke, temporary at best.
Chapter 11 The Over-use of Scripture 2025
“It’s easier to learn it, then it is to be stupid…”
Deuteronomy 32:2 May my teaching drop as the rain,
my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass,
and like showers upon the herb.
Scripture is God’s past, present and future and yours. Before using it, read the directions.
Amen.
