Scripture from Five Perspectives
There are some things in them [Paul’s letters] that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 2 Peter 3:16 ESV
The rabbit was hardly recognizable after its high speed collision with multiple tires on I-25. To say it was mutilated was an understatement. Pancaked, steamrolled, or uninflated would be more accurate descriptions. Sadly the world mutilates and twists scripture to such an extent that it too becomes unrecognizable.
The easiest lies in which a Christian can get caught up regarding Scripture are the lies that are closest to the truth. The world, though, doesn't need a lie close to Scripture, but will believe even the most twisted and mutilated versions of God’s Word. Unbelievers can twist what God says about love and so believe the lie that love would encourage people in their sins, while bypassing repentance. Unbelievers can mutilate and chop apart God’s Word to such an extent that they have no trouble believing the lie that only parts of Scripture are true and worthwhile today.
The world has twisted scripture since there was scripture to twist. It twisted Paul’s letters within years of their writing. It twisted scripture at the time of the Reformation by inserting works into the role of faith. It twists Scripture today to such an extent that Christians should be flabbergasted that some of those doing the twisting still claim to be Christians.
These twistings and mutilations are so sad because each twist and cut of Scripture harms and hurts those who think they are improving Scripture. Instead of bringing about improvement they bring about their own and others’ destruction. Rather than twisting and mutilating Scripture in a misguided attempt to improve upon it, may all who read trust the pure Word of God, for as Proverbs 30:5 says “Every word of God is pure.”
Lord, let me never change the meaning of Your Word, but simply allow You to speak for Yourself. Amen.