Misquoted Scriptures

Misquoted scriptures and misunderstood scriptures;

The thoughts below represent scriptures and saying people have heard and believe but are not necessarily accurate. Listed are the scriptures and quotes, what some think they mean and what my research leads to what I think scriptures actually mean.

This may be an interesting way to learn scripture and to correct some false understanding of scripture we may have. What do you think?

Controversial comments;

 Money is the root of all evil.  Not accurate. The Bible states in 1 Timothy 6:10,  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

You must be baptized to be saved. People use Mark 16:16, (Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned) to back up this belief

. However, I read baptism is an act of obedience not a condition of salvation.  Eph. 2:8-9 reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith alone and not by works.  We are also told in John (John 5:24; John 12:44; John 20:31; 1 John 5:13) that those who believe have salvation. J. MacArthur has a good article on the subject at; https://www.gty.org/library/questions/qa79 .

Satan can possess a born again Christian.  I read that is not a true statement. A true believer belongs to Christ and is indwelled with the Holy Spirit. Scripture states; 1 Corinthians 10:21 “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”

1 John 4:4. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” Who is in us? The Holy Spirit. Who is in the world? Satan. God is greater than Satan.

There are other scriptures that back up this statement if needed.

Some say there are generational curses and we are punished for the sins of our fathers.   According to scripture, we are responsible for our own sins. If we do the same sins of our fathers it was not because of a curse, it was because we chose to sin. Deuteronomy 24:16: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children; neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin. Ezekiel 18:1-23 has a great explanation of this conflict. 

Matthew 18:20 when 2 or 3 are gathered together I am there with you. People use this as a notification that they are gathered as a church when 2 or 3 are together and God is with them.  Or that God is with a group when 2 or 3 are together. As for God being with us when 2 or 3 are gathered together,

I read that God is always with us no matter what; John 14:23, Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (also read Mat. 28:20, Heb. 13:5 as examples of God with us).

Matthew 18:20 is often used as a comment that we have church when two or three are gathered together. From what I understand, Matthew 18:20 is not talking about Jesus being with people when two or three are gathered together. The discussion starts with verse 15 and goes to 20. It is about a brother sinning and what to do about it as brothers in Christ.  All thru scripture Jesus reminds us He will always be with us. In these verses, Jesus again promises us that he is present, that his presence is real for us when we are gathered in his name — both in agreement and in sin. He is agreeing with the discipline laid out in verses 15 thru 20.

 People state that we are to pray to and we can bind Satan. People use Matthew 18:18 as proof we can bind. “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind (forbid) on earth will be bound (forbidden) in heaven, and whatever you loose (permit) on earth will be loosed (permitted) in heaven.” I read that this comment is made and directed at church discipline. What you loose on earth will have already been loosed in heaven. In other words, Jesus in heaven looses the authority of His Word as it goes forth on earth for the fulfillment of its purpose (in this case church discipline guidelines). This statement is also found in Matthew 16:19 (In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to the apostle Peter and indirectly to the other apostles). I do not read anywhere in these verses that it applies to binding Satan.

Ephesians 6:11-18 Tells us all we need to know and what we need to do to fight a spiritual battle and win. (in part) ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes

Some people think that God changes His mind. I read that it does sometimes sound like God did change His mind but in the full context He does not,   Malachi 3:6
“For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” Numbers 23:19, God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? 1 Samuel 15:29, And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent, Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. And there are more scriptures that back up this premise.

 People also say that God will never give you more than you can handle. I think they have this scripture mixed up with temptation. I read that if we could handle everything then we would not need God because we would be as powerful as God. People may be mistaking giving us problems with temptations. 1 Cor. 10:12-14, So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. God will not allow us to be tempted more than we can handle!