Don't Misinterpret God's word
- Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
- Jul 6, 2018
- 4 min read
"When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. -Proverbs 28:12-14 (Berean Study Bible)
"The word of God has ONE meaning with MANY applications."
Don't twist the word of God to make it your interpretation, and fit your personal life style. The Word of God can be used to apply in many ways, but can not be made to mean what you think it means.
Let's take for instance Jesus sitting, drinking, and eating with the sinners. Yes, he did. However, he spoke to them against their behavior and sin. He did not participate in it. Nowhere in scripture you find Jesus getting drunk or sinning. No, it's not a sin to have a glass of wine. Getting drunk is the issue and problem. It's engaging in things that will get you into trouble while you're drunk. Let's talk about some of those stories. The tax collector was the worst of sinners. Yes, Jesus told him to come down from the tree he would eat at his home. Immediately, the tax collector repented and gave half his money to the poor and gave back the money to all those he cheated. In fact all those he cheated received back their money plus four times the amount to make up for his sin. To the prostitute he told her to go and sin no more. He didn't use her. He saved her from the stoning. To the woman at the well he told her to stop living with her unmarried husband and showed her what real love was by sitting with her, not by using her. He had compassion for her, not disgust. To the religious leaders he told them to stop their pretend living, and to those who were disrespectful to his house, he turned their tables. He had no pity for them. Their hearts were cold as stones, and they did evil before God by their double lives, believing one way but acting another way. They were pretenders and had no intentions of living right before God. Then they were persecuting those who were doing what they were doing in secret. He constantly spoke against injustice, prejudices, and hate. He showed us how to stand for truth, love, and to respect others. He never showed us or taught us to accept sin, condone it, or hide it. We have never been given the right to judge anyone. We have been given the right to know right from wrong and act appropriately. We love people, but we don't engage in their sins. Simple as that. Love, and don't engage. Let me bring it home clearly. I'm not going to hate those that go out drink, get drunk, and then engage in doing stupid and harmful things to themselves and others. At the same time, you will not find me anywhere near their presence. This does not mean I'm not going to help anyone that wants to change their behavior and turn their lives around. I'm into helping in anyway I can. They will never hear me say I approve, condone, or ever participate with them in that behavior nor will I allow myself to be manipulated by them. They will hear me say I will help them, but they must give up their drinking and get their lives straightened up. This means getting a whole new set of friends who are not engaging in sinful behaviors. They need to stop the negative behavior and change their mindsets. Please understand clearly the difference between loving people and agreeing with behaviors God says are sinful. Jesus preached about love but he never allowed those who came in contact with him to continue in their sin. He told each one, "Go and sin no more!" I cannot and will not agree with sin or those who willingly want to continue in their destructive ways. Imagine a judge who allows someone who drinks and drives and continues to willfully drive while drinking. It's nonsense! No judge would ever allow it. Please understand the meaning of scripture before posting and sharing things that promote lies, hate, and prejudices. We are all held responsible before God on what we say and what we do. Stand strong in truth, love, and justice. We have the Highest Judge looking at us from Heaven. We love people, hate the sin, and pray for those who are caught up in false understanding, knowledge, and false teachings coming from pulpits and religious leaders who manipulated and distorted truths for their personal gains as in the times of Christ. Jesus was not understanding and kind to them. He turned their tables, and called them snakes. This is what he had to say to those evil religious leaders, "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Can you say, "Ouch?" Be very careful what you say and do. My personal rule: I love, respect, and do good to all who come in contact with me. However, I will not condone, hide, or accept sins in any way or form. This is my lifestyle. I choose better for myself and model right living for my children and those who watch me. Be strong leaders by words and actions. Don't be manipulated to do wrong and evil. So many people hurting. Some at the hands of evil people, others by choice. Whoever comes in contact with you, lead by the word of God and by the power of his spirit living in you. We are to bring hope and a desire with them to seek after a God that loves them and desires to fill them with real joy, love, and peace!"
Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for being the Living Word and for leading and guiding me this far. I ask You to be the guard around my mind and mouth. Let the fruit of my lips be pleasing unto You, and may my mind be fixed upon You always. Teach me Your truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
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