Correctly
Handles The Word Of Truth
Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee the evil desires
of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who
call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t
have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they
produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must
not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that
God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge
of the truth, and that they will come to their
senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do
his will.
2 Timothy
2:14-26
We may try to make the
Bible support what we already believe is true instead of allowing it to speak
to us with God’s intended message.
Some people use the
Bible to defend one side of an issue, while others use the Bible to attack the
same issue. Both quote Scripture to support their views, but both can’t be
right.
It is important as we
use God’s Word that we are committed to saying no more and no less than the
Scriptures actually say. If we mishandle the Word, we misrepresent it, which
ultimately misrepresents God’s character.
Through our words and
actions, we have opportunity to represent God’s Word in ways that genuinely
reflect God’s heart. That is one of the greatest privileges of the Christian
life.
God’s Word
should be handled with care.
Our Daily Bread – October 16, 2012