THE DANGER OF TWISTED SCRIPTURE — AND THE CALL TO HANDLE IT WELL
One of the greatest challenges facing the people of God today is the ease with which Scripture can be twisted; a verse lifted from its context can be used to defend almost anything, and a passage read carelessly can become the foundation for entire systems of error. Peter warned that some distort Paul’s writings — and by extension all Scripture — to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). The danger is real, and the consequences are sobering; whenever the word is bent to serve human agendas, the truth of Christ is clouded, and souls are led astray.
Yet Scripture itself teaches us that this twisting is nothing new; even in the garden, the serpent tried to manipulate God’s words, questioning His goodness and reshaping His commands (Genesis 3:1–5). Jesus faced the same tactic when Satan quoted Scripture to tempt Him, using truth torn from its setting to justify disobedience (Matthew 4:6–7). The enemy has always known that the most effective lies are half-truths — verses misapplied, commands misunderstood, promises misplaced. The church must therefore remain discerning, testing every teaching and examining every claim (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
But while Scripture can be mishandled, it can also be handled well — faithfully, reverently, correctly. Paul urged Timothy to present himself as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). This “right dividing” is not mechanical; it is spiritual and moral — reading the text with humility, observing its context, honoring its purpose, and allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. When the heart is pure and the motive is love for Christ, the word becomes a lamp that truly guides rather than a tool that misleads (Psalm 119:105).
Handling Scripture correctly also means hearing it as the living voice of God, not as a weapon to win arguments or a quarry from which we mine proof-texts. James calls us to receive the implanted word with meekness because it alone can save the soul and shape the life (James 1:21). We approach the text not as masters but as disciples; not seeking to force it into our systems, but allowing it to confront us — to rebuke, correct, and teach us — so that we may be complete in Christ (2 Timothy 3:16–17). When our posture is teachable, the Scriptures become a well of wisdom instead of a battlefield of opinions.
Therefore let us guard our hearts, handle the Scriptures with integrity, and refuse the lazy reading that leads to error. Let us read broadly and deeply, holding passages in their context and doctrines in their balance, knowing that the Spirit who inspired the word also illumines the humble mind (1 Corinthians 2:12–13). And in all our study, let us remember that the aim of Scripture is not to win debates but to reveal Jesus Christ — the Word made flesh — who leads His people in truth, and who promises that those who continue in His teaching will know the truth that sets them free (John 8:31–32).
BDD
