Often "Out of Context" Verses. And Misused!
Judge not lest ye be judged from Matthew
or
All things work out to good ... in Romans 8:28
or
Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock in Revelation 3:20.
What does these verses have in common? They are the most often abused, out of context, misused verses in the Bible.
Matthew 7: 1 is often used for people trying to justify their own sinfulness ... and says don't judge me.
Romans 8 is often used when tragedy happens and people saying "its all good."
And Revelation 3:20 is used as part of the Sinners' prayer (which isn't found in the Bible)
So let's look at each of these verses and break the stereotypes with each one.
I. Matthew 7:1 "Judge not lest ye be judged .." Who is speaking? Jesus. To who? The Religious leaders of the day. And why? Because they were being hypocritical in their judgments.
More on context found here
The Bible talks about us judging. It talks in James 5:19 about leading others from being astray. Pastors are suppose to pastor the flock. Spiritual discipline is required. Tough love. There is a difference between that of "Judging" (Being self-righteous and ungodly) and that of loving and caring. Romans 12: 16 - 21 talks about this. Matthew 18: 15-17 talks more about this.
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
In 1 Corinthians 5 it talks about the wickedness in the church - and we're to judge those within it? vs. 12
Often when Matthew is quoted is people trying to get the attention off themselves. They don't want to be judged. Why? Because usually they know what they are doing is wrong and need to repent.
Notice when Jesus was with the adulterous woman in John 8 (He that is without sin - cast the first stone ...) Notice Jesus didn't ignore the woman's sin, but pointed out "Did no one condemn you?" Neither do I. (Jesus could of left it there and it would not of been complete with his message of repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand ...instead he says afterwards ...) vs. 11 "Go. From now on sin no more."
II. Romans 8:28 "All things work together for good." Usually when tragedy happens people cite this to claim it was God's will. 9-11, terrorists, earthquakes: Haiti, Japan. We'd like to make sense of the divine - even though we are not.
Actually Romans 8:28 says "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose." seems in context the Apostle Paul writing the Roman Christians in the midst here tells us about life in the Spirit and qualifies how God works. not that all things are for good. But all things for those that love ... and he talks (Apostle Paul) later about our position because of Christ.
III. Revelation 3:20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock ..." Actually it reads "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Who is Jesus talking to? the Church at Laodicea. (who were known for being lukewarm Christians). so this isn't a letter to unbelievers but believers to not be lukewarm - nothing dealing with the "sinners' prayer."
What scripture verses have you seen taken out of context and abused?
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