GOD WARNS AGAINST THE DELIBERATE TWISTING OF THE SCRIPTURES FOR SELFISH REASONS

 You shall not fall into the enemy's trap because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.

Good -Life Devotional: GOD WARNS AGAINST THE DELIBERATE TWISTING OF THE SCRIPTURES FOR SELFISH REASONS 

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

The Bible mentions several instances where people intentionally twist or misinterpret scriptures to suit their own desires or justify selfish behavior. Here are a few examples of such misuse, along with corresponding verses that address or warn against these actions:

1. Using Scripture to Justify Sinful Behavior

Some people misuse Scripture to excuse or justify actions that go against God's principles, often focusing only on passages that align with their desires while ignoring others.

Romans 6:1-2 (AMP) – "What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow? Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer?"

2 Peter 3:16 (AMP) – "[Paul’s letters] speak of these things, in which there are some things that are difficult to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist and misinterpret, just as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

2. Pharisees’ Manipulation of Scripture for Self-Righteousness

The Pharisees, religious leaders in Jesus' time, often twisted the Law to elevate themselves above others. Jesus rebuked them for focusing on the letter of the law while missing its true purpose.

Matthew 23:23 (AMP) – "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth of your mint and dill and cumin, [focusing on minor matters] and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the primary things you ought to have done without neglecting the others."

3. Using Scripture for Financial Gain

Certain people misinterpret the Word to manipulate others for financial profit, prioritizing wealth over genuine faith.

1 Timothy 6:5 (AMP) – "And perpetual friction between men who are corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, who think that godliness is a source of profit [a lucrative, money-making business—withdraw from them]."

2 Peter 2:1-3 (AMP) – "But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them... And in their greed they will exploit you with false arguments and twisted doctrine."

4. Distorting God’s Commands for Personal Control

In the early church, some leaders attempted to force their own customs or interpretations on new believers for personal control and power over the community.

Galatians 1:6-7 (AMP) – "I am astonished and extremely irritated that you are so quickly shifting your allegiance and deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different [even contrary] gospel; which is really not another [gospel]; but there are [obviously] some [people masquerading as teachers] who are disturbing and confusing you [with a misleading, counterfeit teaching] and want to distort the gospel of Christ [twisting it into something which it absolutely is not]."

  These passages warn believers to be discerning and wary of those who misuse Scripture for selfish ends, whether for power, financial gain, or self-justification. The Bible encourages readers to seek understanding through genuine faith, humility, and guidance from the Holy Spirit. The consequences of twisting the scripture are listed in Revelation 22;18-19 

In our daily prayers we should seek for the spirit of and discernment to know the truth of God's word .

PRAYER; Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to overcome witchcraft.

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