Some People Just Twist Scripture

2 Peter 3:14-16
    The past few weeks I have been writing about important basic hermeneutical practices. There has been one fact that I have failed to mention. Some people just twist the scriptures. This has become rampant with prosperity gospel preachers, false healings, and anyone who teaches doctrine that is contrary to scripture. There were false prophets in the first century (1 John 4:1) and things have just gotten worse (2 Tim. 3:13). Paul plainly tells Timothy this would happen and that’s why he had to be ready at all times (2 Tim. 4:2). Peter also provides a warning about what people were doing to Paul’s writings. Some sections of scripture are more difficult to understand than others. False teachers in the first century abused this and so do false teachers today. “Speaking in them [Paul’s letters] of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). Yes, the people twisting the scriptures will receive their just reward. We still must remain diligent in our own personal study to make sure we are not pulled away by these unstable people. Some common phrases to watch out for, “Well God says…” “In don’t know where it is in the Bible… but.” “I don’t care what you say, God knows my heart.” Let’s be honest. Those are just excuses for laziness. It is 2019! We have more resources than ever for bible study. If you don’t know where a phrase is in the bible, it’s because you haven’t looked. “Well that’s the way it was then.” “That was a cultural event.” “During the apostolic times that was true, but not anymore.” These phrases maybe true, but don’t take them at face value. Go look up ancient culture in a bible encyclopedia. Do your own research, or in the words of John, “Test the spirits.” We have so many resources now. Don’t be lazy. I love you all!

In His service,
Steven Hugley