08/10/19 BE HONEST AND CAREFUL

08/10/19 BE HONEST AND CAREFUL
 
To quote or reference only portions of a passage is not necessarily "adding to" or "taking from" the word of God.

All Christians quote and reference SPECIFIC passages.
(Sometimes God's word is misrepresented)

Sometimes people do it in order to lead other people into their own point of view (though it is fallacious).
Sometimes they errantly (but not deliberately) misrepresent the actual context and meaning.
Sometimes they misquote or misstate the passage, but they do not misrepresent the passage.

We need to know what the Bible says and what it means. Knowledge and understanding and wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit, through private, and corporate study, with faithful and gifted believers.

No Scripture is of private interpretation (*).
2 Peter 1:19-21
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
* 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

We must, rightly divide, understand the word of God (*).
2 Timothy 2:14-16
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
* 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

We must not, handle the word of God deceitfully (*).
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
* 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.