"Handling the Word Accurately"

  I want to start this new year properly by stating the biggest need: handling accurately the word of truth! Too many find a verse in God's word that agrees with their thoughts and spout that as if it is true because they feel if it's in God's word, it's true. (The devil did this to Jesus - Matt. 4:6) Accuracy is the key. I know over the years that I have had to re-evaluate my position on something simply because I stood on one particular verse finding I wasn't accurate in my belief. How does one know?

  First, it's all about context. One must understand the context of what is being discussed. When you come across a teaching from God's word, you have to look at what is being discussed and whom is being addressed. Too many times we quote a verse thinking it is saying one thing only to find out that in another place it says something differently. That's when you realize you have misapplied your understanding.

  Second, read carefully around the verse you are trying to understand. There many times you will find the context and an answer to your question or understanding.

  Let's use this example. Over and over I hear people speak that we cannot judge. They cite Matt. 7:1 where Jesus speaks, "Do not judge lest you be judged yourselves." It looks like on the surface that's what Jesus said and off many go running with this thought, believing it to be true. They reprimand anyone who goes against these words of Jesus. However, they fail to read on. If one read down through the verses they would find Jesus also teaching: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Matt. 7:6) Doesn't one have to "judge" when determining the dogs and swine? Then what did Jesus mean?

  Look carefully at Matt. 7:2: "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it shall be measured to  you." Just a little help for you. When you see a statement made and the very next statement starts with the word "for", that's a word explaining the previous. What do you learn from this? To give out judgment on someone and you're the standard, that's wrong. The way you judge, the standard you use to judge is what the Lord will use to judge you! If your standard is God's word to determine things, that word will be used to judge you. God's word is always the standard, not man. When someone steals, they are a thief! The word of God says so. When someone practices immorality (including homosexuality), drunkenness, swindling people and the like, they will not be in heaven. That is sinful in the eyes of God. How can I judge that? Because the word of God speaks that (I Cor. 6:9-10). When people cause strife, have outbursts of anger, cause factions, they will not end up in heaven because God's word speaks to that (Gal. 5:19-21) 

  Be careful how you determine a conclusion about the things of God. Make certain that before you come to a faith convicting conclusion that your conclusion could be proved wrong from another verse. The word of God NEVER goes against itself. We need to be people who are concerned about accurately handling the word of truth. That means I must be a reader of God's word and trust Him to take me forward.