Knowing What The Bible Says

Today I upset two people that I love because I overheard their conversation about another person we all three love, and I made some comments that I did not need to make. So I had to apologize to both of them.

This event reminded me of a common experience we as believers have. That is when talking to people who do not know much if anything about Christianity or the Bible, we sometimes get offended by their well meaning statements made from a lack of understanding or proper teaching. They in turn get offended at us when we talk in Christianese thinking that they should know what we are saying.

There are many miss-concepts about what the Bible does and does not say, even in the Church. I am amazed how often I hear a Christian saying something about the scriptures that is not true. Here are a couple that you will hear from both believers and nonbelievers.

“GOD helps those who help themselves.” Jesus actually said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentile (meek) and lowly (humble) in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV He also said, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV

“Money is the root of all evil” Jesus actually said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve GOD and mammon (riches).” Matthew 6:24 NKJV Paul said, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare, and into many harmful and foolish lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV

“Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Paul said, “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of GOD, which is the Church of the living GOD, the pillar and ground (foundation, mainstay) of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery (hidden truth)of godliness: GOD (who) was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up to Glory.” “Now godliness with contentment is great gain” 1 Timothy 3:14-16, 6:6 NKJV Peter said, “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained (received) like precious faith (faith of the same value) with us by the righteousness of our GOD and Savior Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of GOD and of Jesus our LORD, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption (depravity) that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance (patience), to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren (useless) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:1-11 Paul also says, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of GOD, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into houeholds and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:1-7

So it is easy for those who know the Bible to be frustrated with immature Christians and non-believers who have heard such sayings and do not know what the Bible really says.  This gives us a teaching opportunity to without rancor or condemnation tell or show them what the Bible actually says. But to do that we must be familiar with the Bible and know how to look up verses using key words. This is a principle since Moses stated recording GOD’s interaction with His creation and humanity. I’ll just use one Old Testament and one New Testament scripture, but as you read and study the Bible you will find dozens. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in (you shall be constantly in) it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 NKJV  “All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction (training, discipline) in righteousness, That the man of GOD may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV