The Cherry Picked Bible
Good Morning Friends,
People manipulate words every day for their own purposes to rationalize their decisions and persuade others they are correct. Honestly, I do it too. But desiring to be correct can be such a trap. There is a curse of the law without Jesus. Here we might discover that knowing when and how to challenge misrepresentations of what it means to be a Christian is at the heart of becoming mature in our faith. We need to be led by the Spirit in our response.
We need to remember that the Devil invented The Cherry Picked Bible.
Scripture: If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true.
John 5:31 (ESV)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Message: Judas went out and hung himself…..go thou and do likewise. Really are we so naive to fall for this stuff. However, even if we do not parse the verses there are complete stories in the Bible that would lead one to try and reconcile relationships in some situations, confront the person with their sin in others, then in still others test them before one trusts or perhaps simply be firm and kind with one’s response. Knowing what to do when is difficult for one has to discern the details and the heart of the person who poses the challenge. If you are tired of being misrepresented and tempted you are not alone. But think before you respond if you can. Here is the point, you nor I can rightfully use the Bible to justify everything we want to do or have done. The devil did this with Eve twisting God’s words and tried to do it with Jesus. But Jesus refused to be deceived pointing out the correct understanding of God’s word and then obeying it. But then he was Jesus. People who try to use God for their own egocentric purposes may need to be challenged. But do not be deceived. For some we need to be prepared to help them discover why they are so fearful. For others we need to ignore their bad behavior and still others we just need to just tell them to go away. But for all we need to share the seed of hope that is in us. Perhaps the only real choices are missiology in action or madness. It is in community we discover there is nothing to prove…except the challenge of being honest about who we are.
Pray we take it all to the Lord in prayer. Pray we practice presence over performance. Pray we realize that the Bible was not meant to mean whatever we want it to. Pray we have the right answer for those who through behavior or words try to manipulate scripture. Pray we read the Bible responsibly. Pray we think before we speak. Pray we not invite God’s judgment. Pray we realize that no one is changed unless they are loved into the change. Pray we realize that our response is to bear the fruit of wisdom, and the blessings of living the life God intended for us. Pray we realize that people can be difficult and not be the devil. Pray we realize that people are best helped in a community of faith. Pray we are connected to Christ’s compassion. Pray the Word made flesh resides in us.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 