Misquoted Bible Verses Part 2

Verses discussed: “saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This verse is often used when people question the teachings or behaviour of certain pastors, prophets or men of God (as we often call them) and take it out of context. In this episode I discuss this verse and how we can apply it in context today. I also discuss the problem of idolising pastors and anyone in particular. “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:39‬ ‭ESV‬‬. The misconception in this verse is that we often think that we can’t love others if we do not love ourselves first. The culture of self-love and loving ourselves is problematic because it often leads to self-centredness and seIf-worship. In this verse, self-love is assumed and used as a comparison to how we should love others. Naturally we all love ourselves. Sometimes we might not feel good about ourselves but the truth is that even then, we still desire good things for ourselves. We still want to feel good. It is that desire of happiness and goodness in our lives that comes naturally. The bible commands selflessness and putting others above ourselves. Self-love is not a prerequisite to loving others. Consider these quotes from the book: (You’re Not Enough and that’s Okay by Allie Beth Stuckey) Our minds have so intertwined self-affirmation and success that we’re afraid that if we stop telling ourselves how great we are, our lives will take a nosedive into misery. We’ll start to wallow in self-pity, our relationships will grow toxic and codependent, and we’ll fail at work because we’ll be crippled by our own self-doubt. Because of Jesus, we have an answer to our insecurities, our self-criticism and self-doubt, and it’s so much better than flimsy, shallow self-love. Our answer is him, the eternal, unchanging Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who paid for our sins on the cross, declaring us forever forgiven, innocent and righteous before a just and holy God. What deeper and surer confidence could we ask for than to be irrevocably purchased by Jesus’s perfect sacrifice, not as a reward for our goodness but as a gift by his grace? Other Sources: http://midwestapologetics.org/blog/?p=709 https://www.aletheiari.com/news/2017/3/7/did-jesus-say-i-must-love-myself-first