Monday, April 4, 2011

Misusing Scripture

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "
Jeremiah 29:11
Dear Friend,

This verse was not written to you!  It was written to the children of Israel who were in exile at the time.

This is how chapter 29 starts out (NIV):

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Jeremiah 29
A Letter to the Exiles
 1 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 (This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.) 3 He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:

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Bible verses are not meant to be taken out of context to fit the situation in your 21st century life.   Please stop.  That is not to say there aren't many verses we can use by themselves if the context maintains its integrity in a stand alone manner.  Please use the scriptures wisely.

1 comment:

  1. I see this happen allllllllll the time, thank you for bringing it to light :)
    Kristi

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