“How to Avoid the Misuse of Scripture”

Today there are as many different interpretations of scripture. Some differences are harder to discern between the truth and possible error; but in other areas, it just takes following some basic guidelines to keep us on track. I personally want to do my very best to always present “Biblical truth” to the point where, if I’m not clear on a subject, I won’t teach it until I have adequately studied it. Let us all make it a goal to know God’s Word better.

In John 21:21-23 we see a CLASSIC MISINTERPRETATION OF THE WORD OF GOD. I believe there is a lesson for us to learn from this passage. Praise God that the LORD chose to put this correction in here or we may have some today still thinking John was alive.

Let’s take a look at this passage:
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? - John 21:21
Jesus saith unto him, IF I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. - John 21:22

Just reading those two passages alone, we could come up with the “JOHN WON’T DIE DOCTRINE”, which is exactly what people of that day did. Thus, the Holy Spirit inspired John to write in John 21:23 these words: “Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: YET JESUS SAID NOT unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” - John 21:23

In another words, “Peter, make sure you follow me (Jesus) in your own life, and don’t concern yourself with John.”

I would like to briefly give you some basic things for proper biblical interpretation (also called Hermeneutics).
1. Read in context (when reading the Bible out of context, you can make it say anything).
2. Look into the original language it was written in. If available, look up in a simple Greek (for New Testament) or Hebrew Dictionary (for Old Testament) like a Strongs Concordance, Vines NT words, etc.
3. Examine what type or style of writing it is: Poem, prophetic, literal, symbolic, etc.
4. Consider the historical background.
5. Consider the cultural background.
6. Consider the geographical background.

To help you with the above, get yourself a good study Bible, or commentary for more insight into God’s Word (preferably, commentaries such as Matthew Henry, Barclay, etc.). They can all be somewhat opinionated, so be careful here, but many are quite resourceful and have Biblical research that would take us a lifetime to gather.

7. Lastly, and of utmost importance, allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate His Word to you (John 14:26) but not to the exclusion of Biblical teachers (Eph. 4:11). Many times the Holy Spirit shows me a truth, but I research it to make sure that I am accurately hearing Him. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT SPEAK CONTRARY TO BIBLICAL TRUTH.

Also, I feel the need to mention here, that if you’re a part of a group that sees things in the Word of God that NO one else in the Body of Christ sees because they say “GOD HAS CHOSEN THEIR GROUP EXCLUSIVELY TO SEE THESE TRUTHS”, shake yourself of such PRIDE and GET OUT OF THERE! Usually these groups are very small (manipulative/exclusive/secretive), but they can do great damage to your spiritual life.

I urge you to do as the Bereans did as stated in Acts 17:10-11 - “Bereans STUDIED THE SCRIPTURES TO SEE IF THESE THINGS BE SO - And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND, and SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES
DAILY, WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE SO.”

><>'·*~.,.~*¤*~.,.~*+<»†«>+*~.,.~*¤*~.,.~*·'<><