MURDER IN THE CHURCH, PART 7
Overcoming Scriptural Ambiguity
(Proverbs 4:5-7)
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
What is ambiguity? If you look this term up in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, you'll get one of those redundant definitions that echoes the word you're looking up. This doesn't answer the question.
Let's consider the word "ambiguous" instead. It means:
- 1 a : doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity
or indistinctness <eyes
of an ambiguous color> b : INEXPLICABLE
- 2 : capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways
A synonym for this word is "obscure". It means "not clearly seen or easily distinguished". It also means "not readily understood or clearly expressed -- a mystery".
Scripture has this quality. Matthew 11:25 says, "...thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." First Corinthians 2:7 says, "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory...." First Corinthians 2:14 says, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Matthew 13:11 says, "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them (the unregenerate and the wicked) it is not given."
Even though there is an air of ambiguity about the scriptures, God has blessed his people with the privilege and honor of understanding it. Even with this privilege, however, comes responsibility. True children of God suffer from obscurity solely because of an improper approach to the word of God. If we don't approach the word of God with respect and in a diligent manner, we too will dwell in scriptural ambiguity. Consider the following passages of scripture (Hebrew or Greek definitions will appear in parentheses following key words for clarity's sake):
- (Nehemiah 8:8) So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly
(in a specific manner) , and gave the sense ,
and caused them to understand the reading.
- (Psalms 119:104) Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I
hate every false way (sham).
- (Proverbs 14:7) Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou
perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
- (Proverbs 14:15) The simple believeth (trusts) every word:
but the prudent man looketh well to (understands) his going.
- (Proverbs 15:28) The heart of the righteous studieth (ponders or
meditates) to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out
evil things.
- (Matthew 9:13) But go ye and learn (understand) what
that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to
call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
- (Matthew 15:3) But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress
(violate) the commandment of God by your tradition?
- (Matthew 15:14) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And
if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
- (Acts 17:11-12) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that
they received the word with all readiness of mind (proper responsiveness,
cheerful readiness), and searched the scriptures daily, whether
those things were so. {12} Therefore many of them believed;
also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
- (Romans 16:17-18) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark (identify and
beware of) them which cause divisions and offences (causes
of sin) contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid
them. {18} For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but
their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches (fine/elegant
speaking) deceive the hearts of the simple (unsuspecting).
- (Galatians 3:1) O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched (fascinated
-- with false representations) you, that ye should not obey the
truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified
among you?
- (1 Timothy 6:3-5) If any man teach otherwise, and consent
not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which is according to godliness; {4} He is proud, knowing
nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof
cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, {5} Perverse disputings of
men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is
godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
- (2 Timothy 2:15-16) Study (be diligent) to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing (dissecting) the word of truth. {16} But shun profane
and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
- (2 Peter 1:10-11) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence
to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall: {11} For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
- (2 Peter 2:3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned
(artificial, fictitious) words make merchandise of
you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not.
- (2 Peter 3:16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned (ignorant) and unstable (vacillating, ever changing) wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
At this point, someone may be saying "What does this have to do with 'Murder in the Church'"? Good question. I'm glad you asked. It fits because some murder (sins of the tongue) take place across the pulpits in our churches. Preachers and teachers who suffer from ambiguity take to pulpits everywhere, spreading the fruit of their confusion to others. Just in case you didn't notice these elements in the passages, consider these ambiguity-related errors mentioned that find root in a speaker/preacher.
- Violators of Nehemiah's Principle (Nehemiah 8:8): Any
preacher or teacher that DOES NOT present the word of God in a way that leads
to proper understanding is putting the people of God at risk. Nehemiah and
his contemporaries presented the word of God in a way that was easily understood.
They told the truth. They presented the word in a way that imparted understanding
and responsibility AND challenged the hearers to be introspective (to look
at themselves in light of the word). Today, many want to make folks feel
good. They claim the good news of the gospel, but withhold vital information;
thus, they place the hearers in danger.
- False Ways (Psalms 119:104): As
noted, the word "false
way" means "sham", which means "a trick that deludes" or "cheap falseness" (a/k/a
HYPOCRISY). Some people LEARN to be hypocrites via the teachings of their
pastor or from some church. Anyone who teaches you to "relate to God" or
serve God and does not encourage you to love Him with all of your heart,
mind, soul and strength is misleading you. The way they are teaching you
is false because they encourage you to draw nigh in the act and with the
mouth, but not with the heart. If you love God's word, as David refers to
in Psalm 119, you'll have the same attitude that he did.
- Preaching Tradition As Doctrine (Matthew 15:3): The Pharisees
and Saducees were known for their strict adherence to tradition. They held
fast to such things as the washing of cups and saucers -- things that had
absolutely no bearing on serving God. They also had a knack for coming up
with doctrines that rendered the word of God of none effect (as if God had
never spoken about certain things). Preachers who do such have or are drowning
in ambiguity. If you take the time to be noble, if you allow the Holy Ghost
to teach you and lead you into all truth, you'll reject man-made traditions
-- especially when they violate the word of God.
- Blind Leaders and Blind Followers (Matthew 15:14): We
usually mention this passage with regard to blind leaders and the ditch,
but many miss the part about blind followers. Yes, a blind leader is someone
who cannot see (see 2 Peter 1:3-10 for more clarity about Blindness), but
in light of what we're discussing today, consider the blind follower. Blind
followers ABSOLUTELY LOVE BLIND LEADERS, which means that they are both drowning
in ambiguity. Blind leaders CANNOT lead you to safety. This is impossible.
- Encouraging People to Be Noble (Acts 17:11-12): Many
leaders DO NOT show the sheep how to study their Bible. In addition, many
do not have a desire to learn how to study properly. There is a "checkpoint" in
the church. A checks and balances system, if you will. Every word is subject
to scrutiny -- to see whether it be in order or no. More of us should be
like the Bereans, who had a readiness of mind (not a Pharasaically suspicious
attitude -- please hear me correctly) and searched the scriptures daily to
confirm the accuracy of the teachings. Most leaders don't encourage such
and expect the hearers to take them at their word. They don't want to be "checked"..
No preacher or teacher is above such scrutiny. Those who think they are are
most likely abusing their authority in Christ in other areas as well.
- Stuff and Godliness -- Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing (1 Timothy
6:3-5): Tooooooo many preachers today are preaching the gospel
of STUFF instead of exalting Jesus and His lordship. Many of these same
preachers are actually preaching a "gain is godliness" gospel, either saying
outright or implying that if you're blessed in Christ, you'll have plenty
of STUFF. This gospel of STUFF is killing multitudes and is, thus, an act
of murder. As a matter of fact, Paul states that if the preacher is not
consenting to wholesome words and the doctrine according to godliness, HE
IS PROUD AND DOESN'T KNOW A THING (talkin' loud, but sayin' nothing)!!! First
Timothy 6:3-5 (and Proverbs 14:7) exhort us to depart when we are exposed
to such false prophets.
- The Bewitching (Galatians 3:1): Many
of us, if asked, would say that they didn't believe that witchcraft and
its derivatives are active in the church. Think again. Paul speaks of "bewitching" in the Galatian
church. To understand whether or not this element is active today, we must
overcome the ambiguous aspect by DEFINING what it means to be "bewitched".
In the Greek, this word means "to fascinate someone by false representation".
It is to be equated with "casting a spell over" someone, hence the occult
reference. False teachers and preachers draw the crowds and support that
they have through the act of bewitching. The only people they can draw, however,
are just outright children of the devil AND those who are Christians, but
are drowning in ambiguity -- those who have little to no idea or respect
for what God is saying or what He is calling for. Unfortunately, many are
bewitching and many are bewitched.
- Merchandising God's People (2 Peter 2:3): Some leaders treat the sheep as if they belong to them. God's people are HIS sheep. An article that once appeared in Leadership Magazine showed that many pastors/leaders knowingly and admittedly "compete" for church members. It is impossible for someone of this mindset to shepherd people properly. The shepherd MUST be consumed by the zeal of caring for God's sheep and leading them in the path that the Lord has ordained. Interestingly, when Peter speaks of merchandising, he talks about how it is done and why. The why? Covetousness. Leaders do such things through covetousness -- being greedy for something (affection, to be received by the people, to be a big shot, recognition, money, prestige, the pride of life). The how? Feigned words (by lying to the people. It is the latter element that constitues the "murderous" overtone. There were leaders in Peter's day that were willing to lie to God's people and put them at risk for their own selfish agenda. Do you think this is happening today? If you don't, wake up. Many of God's people are being merchandised. If you embrace and love the word of God and have a pure heart in doing so, God will deliver you from being merchandised (e.g., exploited, used) -- from being a piece of meat -- a number, if you will. NOTE: These types of leaders are easily spotted at times, because they boast in the number of members they have. No matter how many people go to a particular church, it is NEVER truly reflective of a church's "sheep population". Don't get besides yourself because of the number of people that attend a church. They could be there for all of the wrong reasons. ANOTHER NOTE: A merchandising pastor doesn't care why you're there. He just wants the things associated with the merchandising. LAST NOTE: Someone who is merchandising God's people is barrelling towards damnation. Someone barrelling towards damnation cannot give you what you need to thrive in Christ. They will not embrace elements of ministry: instruction in righteousness, reproof, rebuke, correction, admonishment, exhortation and imploration. It contradicts their goals and will cause them to lose members.
People who are simple, unsuspecting, not noble concerning the scriptures, suckers for charisma/personality and/or just justifying themselves because they are in church, receive the false sayings without any resistance or without confirming whether or not the things they hear are true. Such an act turns the pulpit into a tool of death and it is impossible for the partakers thereof (if they remain in and dedicated to such acts) to be successful and free in Christ. They WILL die.
Each one of the aforementioned scriptures illustrates an aspect of responsibility concerning our walk with God, our handling of the word of God and/or the result of suffering from ambiguity. What is your performance level regarding each of these passages and exhortations?
In closing, let's review/summarize briefly. There are three factors that will keep us from drowning in ambiguity that we should be aware of: 1) understanding what a word used in scripture really means; 2) allowing God to mature our discernment level -- especially so that we will recognize the fruits of ambiguity and refrain from being involved (directly or indirectly) and 3) understanding what action must take place on our part that constitutes being a "doer of the word" (overcoming ambiguous, misguided actions). For example, when the Bible says "...not by works lest any man should boast", if you don't understand what "works" is referring to, you'll commit error. When the Bible says, "be renewed in the Spirit of your mind", we must understand how this exhortation/commandment translates into action and govern ourselves accordingly. If you don't understand it, how are you going to do it. If you don't seek God for wisdom on the matter, how can you declare yourself to be a doer of the word. Not understanding what the Lord is saying can only lead to a life of error and a wresting of the scriptures.
Scriptural ambiguity is a reality. Whether or not we deal with it successfully . . . now that's an issue worth examining. As Solomon said, "Get wisdom and with all thy getting, get an understanding." Then and only then will you deal properly with the issue of scriptural ambiguity.
Remnant Online: Volume 4, Issue 28 -- Murder in the Church,
Part 7 -- Overcoming Scriptural Ambiguity
Copyright © 2000, CyberSaint/Scenario Ministries International
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