Articles
Misusing the Bible
Misusing the Bible
Ashley Despain now holds a dubious, ignominious distinction. Visiting an inmate in a Nevada, Missouri, jail, Ashley tried to sneak him marijuana and methamphetamines by sticking them into the binding of the Bible. Officials say they have seen many ways used to smuggle drugs to prisoners, but it's the first time the Bible was the means chosen.
File that under "truth is stranger than fiction." As incredible (and audacious) as that sounds, Ashley was not the first to misuse the Bible. How many have tried to use the Bible as a means of enriching themselves? Peter speaks of false teachers who exploit listeners with false words because of the teachers' greed ("make merchandise of," KJV, 2 Peter 2:3). How many have tried to use the Bible as a means of defending personal sin or a sinful lifestyle? How many have tried to use the Bible as a club to pound their own hobbies, convictions, and opinions over the heads of others? How many have tried to use the Bible to peddle some false doctrine? Peter experienced that, too (2 Peter 3:16). How many have tried to use the Bible to manipulate others into doing things they themselves aren't doing? Jesus warned against that very thing (Matthew 23:4). How many have tried to use the Bible to tempt others into disobeying God? That's literally a Satanic trick (Matthew 4:6).
James warns potential teachers to be careful, examining themselves in light of the judgment (James 3:1). This is not meant to scare potential Bible teachers away, but instead should help us consider carefully how we use the Bible. Paul mentions some that misused the Bible, even if what they said was true. From prison, he writes, " Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment" (Philippians 1:15-17).
Like Paul, we have a stewardship (1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 3:1-2). Let's be faithful stewards! None of us will probably try to smuggle drugs with a Bible. But, in every sense, let's be sure to be "accurately handling" it (2 Timothy 2:15)!
