It’s a dangerous thing to put words in God’s mouth.
“Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, ‘He saith’.” - Jeremiah 23:30-31
It seems to me that a modern day version of this might be the twisting of Scripture to fit what your own predisposition is (separate from any real Scriptural support). We have to be careful as we study God’s Word to be sure we’re not being eisogetical in our interpretation, coming at the Scriptures with a pre-disposition that does not have a basis in Scripture, and then taking individual passages out of context.
We have to know exactly why we believe what we believe, and there is nothing wrong - nay, there is everything right - with having a firm grip on the basic and foundational tenets of our faith and basing our worldview on them. But as we study God’s Word, we can’t have “itching ears” as Paul describes of those who want to hear only things that please them.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” - 2 Timothy 4:3
The context of that passage is that Paul is talking about being persistent in evangelism, saying that people would not always be open to the gospel. The truth is often difficult to swallow, and equally so when we’re the ones searching it out in God’s Word. So as we study and search after the mind and heart of God, we must allow that it won’t always be easy, nor that God’s Truth will always be mainstream.
“Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, ‘He saith’.” - Jeremiah 23:30-31
It seems to me that a modern day version of this might be the twisting of Scripture to fit what your own predisposition is (separate from any real Scriptural support). We have to be careful as we study God’s Word to be sure we’re not being eisogetical in our interpretation, coming at the Scriptures with a pre-disposition that does not have a basis in Scripture, and then taking individual passages out of context.
We have to know exactly why we believe what we believe, and there is nothing wrong - nay, there is everything right - with having a firm grip on the basic and foundational tenets of our faith and basing our worldview on them. But as we study God’s Word, we can’t have “itching ears” as Paul describes of those who want to hear only things that please them.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” - 2 Timothy 4:3
The context of that passage is that Paul is talking about being persistent in evangelism, saying that people would not always be open to the gospel. The truth is often difficult to swallow, and equally so when we’re the ones searching it out in God’s Word. So as we study and search after the mind and heart of God, we must allow that it won’t always be easy, nor that God’s Truth will always be mainstream.
Amen and amen! Just submit to Scripture. So simple, and yet sometimes so hard...
ReplyDeleteHard indeed!
ReplyDeleteA great reminder, Casey! "Itching ears." Paul had a fascinating way of putting things sometimes! :)
ReplyDeleteTo the KING be all the glory!
Rebekah