The Bible gives warnings to those who trifle with and misuse all that is written in it. As God's people dependent on every word that comes from the mouth of God, we need to be careful how we treat God's Word.
Many Christians, however, treat the Word of God wrongly without fear. In this article, we'll take a look at how many of us misuse the Word of God, in the hope that we'd realize if we've sinned against God, repent of it, and be careful not to repeat the same mistake again.
Ways Christians misuse the Word of God
1) Using it to make soulish declarations
Many Christians misuse God's Word by using them to make soulish declarations.
"Soulish" declarations emanate from a person's own soul. They are not of God; rather, they are derived from a person's personal emotions, thoughts, and ideas. They are unspiritual and fleshly.
For an example, we can look no further than Luke 4, when Satan tempted Christ and twisted Scripture to do that:
"Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written:
'He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"" (Luke 4:9-11)
Jesus responded by using the Word of God as the Lord intended it to be used:
"And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' "" (Luke 4:12)
Many Christians use God's Word the same way the Devil did. They quote God's Word to make wrong declarations like:
- "I am a child of God" and demand others to treat them like royalty;
- "God will bless me" and covet after what belongs to others;
- "I can do all things through Christ" and pursue selfish desires, not Christ's.
We must not do this.
2) Convincing people to follow one's desires
Some Christians, particularly fleshly leaders, use God's Word to promote their own selfish agenda and get people to follow them or do what they want.
Some Christians quote Scripture to make their ridiculous or wrong claims sound believable. For example, some quote God's promise to Abraham and use it to convince people to bless them:
"I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:3)
Some ungodly leaders will also use this verse to protect themselves:
"Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm." (see Psalm 105:15; 1 Chronicles 16:22)
These, and many other verses, are for God's purposes, not for man's selfish agenda (see Isaiah 55:11). Those who misuse these verses will face God for misusing them.
3) Excusing one's own sin with God's "grace"
Another serious error many Christians make is to use God's Word to excuse their sin or the sins of those they bestow favor on.
God's Word clearly tells us that we should examine ourselves and repent of our sins (see Psalm 4:4; 1 John 1:9). If anyone sins, we must confront them so that they will get the chance to repent (see 2 Timothy 2:23-26).
We must never attempt to brush off sin, especially using God's Word to do it.
Some Christians twist Scripture to do this.
- "God is love," they say to defend their sins;
- "Love does not insist its own way," they say to those who rebuke them;
- "God knows I am human," says those who want to keep sinning.
Friends, we must stop using God's Word to excuse our own sins and sinful lifestyle!
