Bible Serves as Accessory in Crime

A businessman and some local officials were recently in a rundown Philadelphia neighborhood discussing ways to bring in more jobs.  While there, they were approached by a man holding a Bible.  As he neared them, the man asked if they were police officers.  When one of the officials answered "No,"  the man reached in his hollowed out Bible and pulled out a pistol.  "In that case, give me your wallets." said the crook.  the officials forked over $100 and some credit cards and watched the robber get away in an old green car.  No one was injured.

As I read that, I thought, "How could anyone misuse the Bible like that?"  Then, I realized that people misuse the Bible every day.  Here are some ways that people misuse and abuse God's Word.

1. Some use the Bible as a weapon.  It is true that Paul refers to the Bible "as the sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17).  The writer of Hebrews says that "the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).  Obviously we are to use the Bible in our battle against Satan and the forces of evil.  However, some use this mighty weapon to win an argument or put others down.  That is misuse of this powerful tool.
2. Some misuse the Bible in an attempt to justify sinful actions.  When on persist in sin, yet knows there is a standard of right and wrong, they is conflict.  If that one can go to the Bible and find a passage that seems to justify a sinful act of lifestyle, they are greatly relieved.  A good example of that is the increasingly common practice of the homosexual community to explain away clear passages that condemn their life style or to misuse examples such as the old testament friendship of David and Jonathan in an attempt to justify their sinful lifestyles.
3. Still others misuse the Bible in an attempt to support preconceived ideas.  The proper way to study the Bible is to approach it with an open mind, with the attitude that Samuel displayed in the Old Testament where he said, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears." (I Samuel 3:9-10.)  When you already have your mind made up and seek scripture to prove what you believe, that is not proper use of God's Word.
4. It is also a perversion of the Bible to use it in support of man-made-doctrines.  Too often religious people will use their creeds and books.  Instead of doing that, we should go strictly by what the scriptures teach in all matters of faith and practice.

How do you use the Bible?  Do you use it properly, as the one true source of instruction as you attempt to live for the Lord?  Be careful how you treat the Bible, for Jesus said, "the word that I have spoken will judge you in the last day." (John 12:48)