Don't Twist the Word of God

Don't Twist the Word of God 

by David Brenneman 

"But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”" John 8:1-11

"But at least I am not doing that!"

Ever really remember watching yourself or others growing up? Of how from an early age we figure out how to justify our actions and our thoughts?

In this passage these Jewish leaders were, and quite obviously had been, manipulating the Scriptures to suit their needs and wants. 

The Old Testament Law spoke to adultery alright. But what they cut out was the part of the man's responsibility in this act that they were so ready to stone only her for. Why? With no witnesses he could think he got away with it. 

We can do similar things. 

We can justify our going places we shouldn't be going to. 

We can justify eating what we shouldn't eat. 

We can justify relationships that we should never engage in.

We are manipulators in our own right.  

We can justify a path different from God's calling for us by a little bit of self justification. We got overwhelmed and turned off in a different direction and never looked back. Our personal pain wouldn't let us hear the Spirit telling us to stand firm. 

Many people rationalize their choices. The simply redefine the sin into something else.  

As I read once: When it comes to the Word of God...your opinion doesn't matter. What God says is sin, is still sin today. Will still be sin a thousand years from now. 

We grade the severity of sins to twist the Word of God too.  

At least it's not as bad as...

At least I am not doing what they're doing...

We choose to call sin something else that's not as guilt ridden. 

There are no buts concerning sin.

There are no buts concerning what the Bible says about it.

If what you engage in is what the Bible says is idolatry then my Dear Reader it's idolatry. Period. 

If what you engage in is course jesting then it is in the eyes of God. 

If what you've been doing is avoiding the true path of God for you...then yes you ARE attempting to run from God.  

If you're at all numb to the sins that you've permitted to stay in your life...then you have a significant problem.  

As one of Dr. Whitcomb's favorite passages says "Let God be found true and every man a liar".

Our justifications will not stand up in the courts of Jesus's law.

Our choices will probably be questioned when we see Jesus face-to-face to give an account of our lives before Him. 

Part of what Jesus said of prayer is that we pray with wrong motives, so that what we ask for we would spend on our pleasures.  

The best course of action for any and all is to sit down with Jesus and get real. Ask if there be any wicked, hurtful, ways in your life. Deal with these now while you've got the chance to do what's right. Scripture says that he who knows the right thing to do and does not do it sins. 

Walking with Jesus means having the truth of ourselves revealed and seeing what He wants to see in us.

In the grand scheme of things...a lot of people aren't in prayer or in their Bible because they know what they will find there. The truth. It isn't about not having the time.  

So are you up to the challenge? 

The challenge to know the truth?

Again the Scriptures say that the truth shall set you free.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.