According to you, what is the most abused text?

I'd have to say most of Revelation.

I've also heard many well-intentioned CHristians misuse John 3:16. Unfortunate, but true.

 

I hate to say this, but for me it is the one used on the banner here: "The truth shall set you free." Used alone it means something entirely different from the way Jesus said it. In context?

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. THEN you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

The way it is used, it is the last half of the 'then' clause of an 'if/then' statement. In other words, if you don't cooperate with the 'if' you won't get the 'then'!

You have to know the truth for the truth to set you free, and according to Jesus, you won't know the truth until you are His disciple and holding to His teaching!

Other abused texts?

For in six days....

God is love....

and, in agreement with the lead post, the "judge not" which is used to try to excuse all sorts of nasty behavior.

 

1 Sam 16:7 "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart ."

I have heard this verse used to defend looking any way we want. It doesn't matter how we look because God sees only the heart.

 

"If two or more are gathered in my name" quote referring to church disipline but seldom used in that context.

 

Most mis-used? Matthew 7, as someone already pointed out.

Another misused? "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together," used to "guiltify" people into believing that if they're not in church every time the door is unlocked, then they need to be questioning their salvation.

 

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." (Proverbs 29:18a).

This verse is often applied to a leader's vision, ambition or aspiration, when in fact it is referring to Divine revelation.

Possibly the worst misuse of a text I ever heard was from a young man who took the phrase "why stand ye gazing" from Acts 1:11, to preach against watching TV!

[ November 01, 2002, 06:51 AM: Message edited by: D Moore ]

 

Proverbs 23:31 "Do not gaze at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly."

I have heard it said too often: "See?? It says don't even LOOK at the wine!!" For those who are vehemently anti-drinking alcohol.

 

True enough. But then I also heard a guy preach a whole series of messages on how important it is to look good because that's what people look at. To me that is an equal misuse of the passage.

One of my personal favorites is Proverbs 11:30b.
"He that winneth souls is wise."
For some reason I just have a tough time picturing Solomon out knockin' on doors. As a colleague just noted in staff devotions, "Right message, wrong passage."

[ November 01, 2002, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: Siegfried ]

 

Ah, I can say something without having to argue it!

I'd say James 2:24,

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

This is used by the Catholics and the cults to teach salvation by works. It is used by the Lordship-salvation brigade to teach you have to do good works, otherwise you weren't really saved (although that contradicts what the verse actually says - for it is works that justify here, not faith only). It is my opinion that it actually refers to being justified at the Judgement Seat of Christ (see the context in verses 12 and 13). Justification in all eternity is by faith alone. Justification at the Judgement Seat (1000 years before that) is by faith and works.

But then you probably think I'm misusing the verse now...

 

That is a good one I will remember that
Murph

 

That is a good one I will remember that
Murph[/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]Murph just found his text for Sunday!

I'm surprise no one has mentioned the idea of collecting the most common examples of misuse and preparing a devotional series (or even a short Sunday night topical series) of messages covering these texts. Lots of people get spiritually sidetracked by this junk getting repeated all the time. A wise word of interpretation touching these passages may greatly benefit your congregations.

 

That's a really good idea. If you folks want to keep adding, I'll put them together on a Word file and then put them into context and add reference verses where applicable. That should make an interesting piece!

 

Without a doubt:

MATTHEW 16:18

A whole false religion has been built on this one verse.

[ November 01, 2002, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: Ps104_33 ]

 

Acts 2:38 False religions built on this too.

 

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling I've heard this used without the second part, to imply that salvation is something that should be worked out by the individual. The second part has so much impact on what the first part means. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phillipans 2:12-13 I think because the verses are seperated by number, they are not considered to be quoted together...but if they're not...they have a whole different meaning in my opinion.

But the one that is quoted alot as a justification for being rude and mean is the one about contending for the faith... as if that was a licence for no holds barred obnoxious behavior.

 

DMoore and Grasshopper posted a couple of common ones. Another common one is when a preacher says "If I be lifted up I'll draw all men to me" (John 12:32) and then tells people if they don't worship right Jesus isn't going to save anyone. Hogwash! John 12:32 really says ""And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.""

[ November 01, 2002, 08:43 PM: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

Murph just found his text for Sunday!

Baptist Believer you may have something there. I was asked to allow a short missionary video to be shown Sunday Night, so with my prop in place I may just use that. I have done stranger things. And I am really looking forward to Helen's project.

Murph

[ November 01, 2002, 09:30 PM: Message edited by: C.S. Murphy ]

 

Coming out of the wacky world of extreme fundamentalism, I offer these:

1. "Touch not mine annointed and do my prophets no harm"-- to defend an unaccountable preacher

2. "Will a man rob God?"-- to defend requiring a christian tithe

3. "Thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever"- to defend KJO heresy