TWISTING THE SCRIPTURES 2 Peter 3:16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

Introduction Many torture the Bible 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Introduction 2 Corinthians 11: And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. Today we will examine 8 ways people torture the Word of God

1 Speculation Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

1 Speculation

2 Blending

Blend Creation and Evolution Theistic Evolution God = Who; Evolution = How Blend NT with denominational jargon Churches (plural) Pastor = preacher Blend Doctrine and worldly thinking

3 Imbalance Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

3 Imbalance

4 Over-extending Acts 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 1 Corinthians 4:6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

4 Over-extending 2 John 1:9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5 Accommodation 1 Timothy 2:12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites Some are now making exceptions for the sin of homosexuality.

5 Accommodation Mathew 19:9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery. Many change their view on this passage when divorce invades their family or close friends.

6 Isolation A text, out of its context, becomes a pretext. Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Salvation by faith Thief on the cross David played the harp

7 Proof-Texting Matthew 4:5-6 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 “It is written” Be cautious that you are not torturing the text.

8 Relativism 2 Kings 17:33 They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods--according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away. John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

8 Relativism Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

Conclusion 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Will today be the day you decide to go to heaven?