10 misquoted biblical verses that have been detrimental to the belief of others in the faith in Christ.
As a believer and an imperfect person who is trying to live the commandments of the word allowed by the Creator cannot stand when non-Christians, lukewarm Christians, or even heretics misquote, misconstrue, or even give a new meaning to scriptures and verses within the text. So I want to go over 10 verses that I have heard being used in the wrong way, misused, or even stated wrongly that people have assumed to be biblically sound. In the future, I will make a list of “Biblical Terminology and Concepts” that is often misused or aren’t properly defined from what Christian leaders have said. I also want to make a list of "Biblical Events and Story Facts'' people get wrong all the time. This list is for Christians, practicing Christians, Spiritualists, Mystics, New Agers, New Thought Practitioners, and people who may have used some of these phases before or just want to read this list. So, let’s begin.
Money Is The Root of Evil (Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:10)
This one irked me a lot. I keep hearing celebrities, woke people or even common people say “you know, money is the root of all evil” which makes little sense even when saying it. If money is the root of all evil, then why would you knowingly use something affiliated with evil or something that will lead and take root to create a not-so-positive outcome in your life? Make little sense at all, even in context. The actual quote is “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil” which can be found in the Bible. It can be found in both Hebrews 13:5 and 1 Timothy 6:10. Also, Matthew 6:24 is another good one that tells you why you shouldn't love money according to Jesus Christ. It’s cool to have money and to be well off and don’t have to worry about finances, just don’t love money. We all have either seen or heard the fate of what happened to people that LOVE MONEY.
Speak As Though That Were Not (Romans 4:17)
Let me explain. In modern times especially with the growth of “New Age Gurus”, "Prosperity Preachers", “Motivation Speakers”, “New Thought Teachers” and “Spiritual But Not Religious” individuals who all believe that they “can speak things into existence” or “manifest things into the material world”. It’s an old metaphysical concept that has been studied since ancient times and is a biblical fallacy. According to Romans 4:17 "God is the only one who can call into being things that were not". Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 are examples of this ability through the means of "Creation" as well as Lamentation 3:37. I know that everybody who is reading this is not Christian but for those who may have been led astray, this is the truth. I will make an article on this concept regarding this miraculous ability from what Drake said a while ago in his Rap Radar interview to discuss this further. Again, man does not have this ability, God does, and if any ability outside of the confines of the Bible away from God or wasn't given to them by God is considered "sorcery and witchcraft" (which is something I want to elaborate on in the future along with other points I have mentioned with this particular point). In short, don't hold your breath speaking for things to come in your life because you "manifested it" with your mind. This leads to my next point.
You Have Not Because You Ask Not (James 4:2)
This is a kind of follow-up to the last point. God wants "his children'' to ask for things "according to his will". So you're like, what does is this point about then? Most prosperity preachers quote "James 4:2 NIV'' which states:
"You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet, but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God." The problem is they use the line unlined above to signify to common people seeking God that they do not have both wants and needs because they don't ask him. The verse is taken out of context severely when in fact the whole scripture from "James 4:1-12" is about submitting to God completely and that the reason one doesn't have even from God is because of self-motives, self-interest, self-pleasure, and personal desires which leads to horrendous things because of envy, jealousy, and greed. Roman 8:27, Hebrews 10:36, 2 Corinthians 8:5, Ephesian 6:6, 1 Peter 4:2, and Matthew 6:33 all tell us that whatever we want needs to be in God's Will for our lives with the chapter and verse from Matthew telling us to seek the Kingdom of God “FIRST”. It's okay to want, do and have in life, but we need to ask God first to have it and if it is not in God's will for us we will not have it, plain and simple. God wants nothing but the best for "his children'' and to spare them from the wrong things that come with certain desires. So if he approves, it's all good, if not, it's all good too.
I Can Do All Things Through Christ That Strengthens Me (Philippians 4:13)
Popularized by "Stephen Curry", this verse has sort of got taken out of context. The verse comes from Philippian 4:13 which in the NIV translation is: "I can do all things through him (Christ Jesus) who strengthens me". This line is taken from the Letter of Paul who wrote "Philippians" to the Church of Philippi that was in Greece during his imprisonment. This part of Philippians is part of the Apostle Paul's thank-you letter to the people of the church of Philippi for their gifts, generosity, and support while imprisoned and despite his imprisonment, he is content because "he can do all things through Christ that strengthens him" despite being locked up. The message is powerful because it is about being content in a situation and knowing Jesus will be with you in the midst of it. Cool saying for a sneaker, but even more powerful in its proper context.
Children Honor Your Mother and Father (Ephesians 6:2-3)
This is one of the most abused verses in scripture. "Self-Proclaimed Christian" parents use this to justify mistreatment or abuse of their child or children and from my observation and personal experience has led many people away from faith in God because to some people "why follow a book that doesn't benefit me and allow my parents to do whatever they want to me"? I am here to say that they have COMPLETELY TAKEN THIS VERSE OUT OF CONTEXT. Ephesians 6:2-3 in the New International Version states:
“Honor your father and mother, — which is the first commandment with a promise — so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on the earth”. That's true, but check out the next verse. Ephesians 6:4 in the same version states: “Fathers, (or Parents) do not exasperate (bring them to wrath or strife in some translations) your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”. God is the example of how parents should be towards, raising and rearing their children, and is the example of how to respect the one that brought you to this world. If your parents have used this line on you, I want to apologize on behalf of those that claimed the faith and treated you horribly and I hope after reading this article and following CBT you will want to consider getting back in the faith after learning God for yourself and not poor examples. I will talk a lot about this in the future with the bible being used to abuse and control people throughout history. This is not Christ-like. This leads me to the next point.
Slaves Obey Your Masters (Ephesians 6:5-8)
This is one of the many reasons some people condemn the Bible besides not taking a chance of reading it. I think most people know that the book was a way to control the Black enslaved and to ensure they were completely obedient or they would upset the "Lord". What they left out was Ephesians 6:9, after what the slaves were to do. It states: “And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him”. One of the verses is taken out of context because it didn't apply to the era they were in and if they had slaves, it instructs how both a master and slave should treat one another, and two, this was one of many verses used by slave masters against the Black enslaved population. They added their meaning to the word of God which is forbidden and perverted the gospel to exalt themselves, which is also a problem according to the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19, Proverbs 30:5-6, Deuteronomy 4:2, 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Wives Submit To Your Husband (Wives - Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18, 1 Peter 3:1; Husbands - Ephesians 5:25, Colossians 3:19, Ephesians 5:28)
This is often abused by a patriarchal alpha male that uses the Bible as a tool to abuse their wives. After the commandment of the woman, there is the commandment for the husband to love his wife as he does himself. The Bible is clearly against abuse and this one has turned some women from the faith because their husband doesn't have the spirit of God within them. Also, this is specifically for a "truly saved" husband for they would know how to treat their wife according to the Bible and not for a husband "claiming the faith"; big difference.
Judge, Not Least You Be Judge (Matthew 7:1)
Another abused verse is used all the time by Christians and lukewarm Christians alike. Do you not judge to see what is good and what is bad or what is right and what is wrong? People who use this verse to defend the choices that they make don't want anybody to call them out on their shortcomings. But the text is about "hypocrisy" where someone calls you out on your shortcomings when that person also has shortcomings but thinks they have the authority to address yours unjustly. The Bible says when we address an issue with someone, it is to be OUT OF LOVE and that person who addresses the issue with the other must make sure they deal with their issues before doing so. I know people have dealt with hypocrisy from the church, but that is what Jesus addresses in Matthew 7:1-6. To sum up this point in a relatable and clearer way - “before you come at me with my issues, address your issues first to yourself”.
All Are Called But Few Are Chosen (Matthew 22:14)
Some people use this specific line to exalt themselves, which I have at one time misused. What Jesus stated in Matthew 22:1-14 is a parable (simple story) about, in short, that all people are called to be used, live, and be with God, but only a few will do so because the majority of the world’s population will reject him except for said few. I encourage you to be one of the few that will make it to heaven and not follow after the world which is the majority that won't.
The Truth Will Set You Free (John 8:32)
This is a very popular phrase that has been popularized by the secular world. This line is used by most people about being honest with themselves about things that they may keep to themselves and once they free themselves from whatever they weren't honest about, they will be free. Jesus was telling the Jews basically that they were his disciple if they hold on to his teaching for the ones that believed he was the CHRIST and with his teaching, they will know the truth, and the "truth will set them free" from all kinds of things from the world. This was during the time in Jesus' ministry when a group of secular Jews known as the Pharisees was following Jesus everywhere he went as he performed miracles in front of them and blatantly attributed his abilities to the devil. This line isn't about freeing the self from lies but is about accepting the word of God as truth, which then can set one "free" from all lies and pains from the world and Satan.
NOTE BY AUTHOR: I am glad I could share this list with you all because the power within the context of these verses and scriptures has DESTROYED LIVES and has made people question the faith, stray from the faith, and HATE the faith. I hope these will lead some to the word of God and bring people back into the arms of him as well. Because of the many errors from people of the past and present, this will be an ongoing conversation and a multi-installment series regarding the Bible on CREST BY TRIGGANATION. These were some of the bigger ones that came to mind, and I hope you stick around for the next upcoming articles similar to this.
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This dope as well....