F4S: “Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written.’ Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.” 1 Corinthians 4:6

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

“Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written.’ Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.” 1 Corinthians 4:6

Back in the day the Corinthians were very familiar with.. do not go beyond what is written. 

The Apostle Paul wants Christians to grasp that the words and teachings of Scripture are ultimately sufficient and totally true. The Bible needs no additives or subtractions -- it doesn't need to be watered down either! 

"Every word of God is pure; He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him." Proverbs 30:5

One of my favorite English expositors was the pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Ever heard of him? He once said, “I do not think it is a harsh judgment to say that the most obvious feature of the life of the Christian church today is, alas, its supe   .hh         c x  x   rficiality.”

Yikes! He went on regarding the simple obedience to the Word with, “The one main cause is our attitude towards the Bible. Our failure to take it seriously, it's our failure to take it as it is and simply allow it to speak to us.” 

That's my aim today. Let's all make that our goal.. to hear from the Lord. 

The Bible principles are laid out real simple right before our eyes, man, a little child could grab a hold of them. Yet so many believers sadly fail to grasp and obey God's Word. Why remain allergic to this good idea?

Around the world in churches, in workplaces, on the streets, in homes.. there's often a failure to know and wisely apply God's Word

Mr. Jones was and is right on this. It is SO true that the basic characteristic of the church in our day is its superficiality. We can't see this in all churches of course. And the situation has changed somewhat from what it was ten years ago which was even more superficial!

Sadly masses of so called believers still do not know the meaning of real commitment to the Living Word. 🙂😏 

That's why you and I are here believer. Let's mature and help other people to spiritually mature. I humbly implore, exhort, encourage.. I respectfully challenge you to press in further to know Him well and put shoe leather to Bible truth. 

There’s a tremendous amount of misapplication and half-commitment in churches, of superficiality, of worldly indifference, of lukewarm and carnal apathy, of complacency, of an indolent attitude that keeps people from spiritually advancing, of... 

1.) Clearly understanding the Bible with it's excellent promises and principles, 

2.) Making wise application of it and quickly.. 

3.) Obeying it -- I'm talking about prayerfully obeying the Lord here. 

Yet, this is the heart of everything for us isn't it really? Sure. What a tremendous sin it is for those who name the name of Jesus Christ to be indifferent about the principles and promises of the Christian faith. 

It is what it is in so many places.. and therefore this must be addressed by the church. Glad I've found a sound local church, but many, Christians have not yet found one. Many are distracted, half committed, or even less that half or a quarter. Many have church-hurt inside, are sadly superficial, complacent, and indifferent.

Hey Buckeroo, you and I are not allowed to inject our own meanings into God's Text, or to ignore what it is saying. 

Rule.. for you and me: Where the Bible is silent, we are not to speak (we're never to preach or dogmatically teach what it's not saying). We each have opinions worth about a dime a dozen. There are times we can share our opinions for what they're worth (maybe a nickel or a penny), but we are to remain silent basically where God's word is silent. 

Rule: Where the Bible speaks, let us clearly, boldly, wisely speak. Think.. timing, (loving) tone (pitch), tempo, timbre (sound, the quality of), temperature (red-hot spiritually). 

To study the Bible, for example, without letting it say what it really means, without letting it sink in on purpose as it should.. is a sin. Let's not! Peter spoke of this. 

"..just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him by God, speaking about these things as he does in all of his letters. In which there are some things that are difficult to understand, which the untaught and unstable who have fallen into error twist and misinterpret, just as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:15b-16 amp

“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 and unstable wrest (wrest – in Greek means to torture or to put on the rack), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” kjv #emph.mine

All of God's words are there for us to understand within their own context. 

Some people take Scripture and lay it up on the rack so to speak, and then twist it out of shape. I call it Scrip-torture--it's flat-out wrong. Yes, there is right and there is wrong in this world still, and wrong is never ever right. 

They force it to say what they want it to say. That's arrogance, that's pride, that's not for you and I to do. 

We each can choose to humbly seek out wise counsel when we need such (first upwards on our knees, and then from seasoned balanced saints), but let's never do this twisting. 

Why? Well, because it's a serious sin to twist the Scriptures off and away from what God intended, to not let the Scriptures say what they really mean. I do pray for illumination (not new revelations) so I can learn. That's good to do. I do my very best to submit and let the Scriptures speak as they would to me first.. as they do speak. 

God's word wasn't written to us, but was written for us. What did the Text mean to the original hearers back in the day? Are there transferable truths in the Text for me here and now, and for this generation today? Ask!  

Scrip-torture does go on in some Christian circles WAY TOO OFTEN. And a little bit of this is TOO OFTEN. 

It happens all the time really: the twisting of the Scripture to somebody’s own bias; the twisting of the Scripture just because you’re unlearned and perhaps don’t own good tools to do it right; the twisting of the Scripture because you’re perhaps unstable inside, or want something more for you, or you do not have a solid commitment to the theological principle of truth; the twisting the Scripture simply because you do not know any better for lack the holy fear of God.. perhaps you were never taught right. 

I myself, like many of us do have a whole lot to learn (I love good tools of hermeneutic and homiletics). I love Jesus the most who DOES know it all, I of course I don't know it all (like you, I'm a learner), but none of us ever need torture the truth of Scripture or misapply it. 

For some five years in Europe during the 90s while pastoring in Bavaria my wife and I saw (in some congregations where we visited) several people who would take the Scriptures and forced them into meanings that were so improper. And at other times the so called ministers would avoid the Scriptures completely. It was "a feeling" and "an experience" in search of a sorta-Christian-like-interpretation.

I'd ask Liney.. What's up with this weird barking and animal sounds in this church, and then they're giving "spiritual interpretations" (yes, Germany messages) to this whacko craziness? They're closing the doors to outsiders now, honey. And there was other error and strange practices going on as well. Let's get out of here, Liney! (That just one extreme example of what I'm talking about)

Me thinks: Hey, if's it's weird instead of winsome for any outsiders to observe and become wooed in towards a relationship with Jesus Christ, then just perhaps.. God doesn't really doesn't want this stuff going on in His name.. or in His church. Ya think!? 

And, of course, in the different streams a.k.a. or even near to the different "umbrellas of Christianity," you also have oneness-cults, other cults, the isms and the schisms and spasms doing bizarre strangeness and everything else in God's name. It's just worthless junk.

Can't we proceed more cautiously? Yes!

It's easy for any of us to miss God's Way. Let's not miss Him, His clear directives, His eternal purpose, or His good plan! 

It's possible for you and me to study the Bible even, then let it say what it means, and even make the right application in our minds, and then simply refuse to obey it. What do you call that?.. the worst of all. 

The Bible says, "So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17 amp

So.. there is the sin of twiiiiisting Scripture out of shape; then there is the sin of taking Scripture and using God's word for your own ends (You already know deep down inside that it's better for us all to go after Him and live right in the center of His will doin' things His way right? Sure)... and there is the sin of not even obeying Him. Let's NOT do that with the Scripture okay. The living Word is enough for you and for me. 

We canNOT Scrip-torture His truths to make the Bible say what we really want it to say just to fit to our own ambitions, plans, or goals. The Holy Spirit won't allow us believers to do that. Let's all listen to Him. If you are tempted to Scrip-torture.. are you really his believer? When I've talked with some Dallasites on the streets it's amazing the strange things that they believe. Man, it's this area the buckle on the Bible-belt? 

Believer, you and I cannot use the Word of God in a selfish or corrupt manner, sincerely trying to glorify God in our own way, or to gain our own ends (this is not beyond any of us doing). Why not? Because the Holy Spirit will say a big NO to that. And we dare not ignore the Word and/or not obey Him.

We don't need Scrip-torture (eveeeer), disobedience, misapplications and total avoidance away from the Word do we? NO, never ever! 

Hey teacher, preacher or garden variety saint.. why can't we with contentment simply know, share, teach and preach the Word simply (all the counsels of God even verse by verse for decisions)? Why can't we all (me included) simply gain real good understanding and expertise in applying the Word simply.. for God's glory alone? We each are to walk worthy 24/7, lowly, and adorn the doctrine of God with discernment ..regardless of what others are doing around us. 

What does it mean to walk worthy?

What is the meaning of charis in the Bible?

How should Christians view the Book of Mormon? It's just error from the pit.

Got some good questions about other cults or world religions?..  want to know some basics about cults and religions?

What does it mean to “not go beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6)?

What are charismatic Roman Catholics?

Does 2 Chronicles 5:14 teach slaying in the Spirit?

What is the definition of a cult?

What were the mystery religions?

What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?

Can we interpret the Bible literally?

How can I help someone to leave a toxic cult?

What is the Christian walk?

How important is Christian conduct to how the unbelieving world sees Christ?

What is aberrant teaching?.. what's the difference between a sect and a cult?

What does it mean to walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15)?

What is the Third Wave Movement.. of the Charismatic movement?

Got some questions about the Bible?

What is the best way to evangelize someone who is in a cult or false religion?

What does it mean to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1)?

What does “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” mean in Joshua 24:15?

Truth is not dependent on the personality or charisma of those who minister, preach or teach. 

Been talking to Bob lately who attends an interesting and fascinating church with lots of action going on (that's not his real name and I don't mind mere action). 

I invited him to join me. Yes, Bob's joined me some at our morning men's meeting in a gym and he has been asking some good questions about my church.  

I told Bob "there is a 'charisma that is from God, but who needs any off-base exotic charismania stuff? (which is different from sound Christianity).


I don't need any heebie-jeebies, goosebumps or the fuzzy feelings.. or false impressions or specific (extrabiblical) directives from people on what I need to do to please God.


I need no liver quiver eveeer, or that out of control running of laps with my eyes closed at church, or all the shaking, quaking and jerking like we've all seen on telethon Tuesday.


Who really needs to be led by some crazy prophetess, spiritually dead priest or a self-proclaimed apostle? None. I'm just happy with soundness, what's wholesome, and the simple practical pure teaching of the Bible.


Jesus and God's written Word are good enough for me. I'm happy in Him! You can be too! Who needs the spasmodic dancing all out of control until the one falls on their face or into a church beam? None.


What? Sure, I might dance on occasion in praise and worship unto the Lord like David did (or at least try to at just the right time or place), but one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control right, so I don't want to run into church walls with my eyes closed.. I hate to see that happen. Must hurt a lot! Some people falsely believe when the Spirit comes upon you, you'll lose all control. I say, Voluntarily, allow God gain control of all of you. It won't be weird, in Him you'll just be becoming more and more of who you really are.



Non-blessed are those who are quick to apply the Word but in the wrong sort of way, place and time.. instead of wisely applying God's word.