How To (Mis)interpret The Bible

- Probably the most obvious way to preach this passage would be to preach a sermon about what the Bible says about divorce. That’s an important subject, but I’m interested in something else as I dig in.

- This passage provides an interesting case study into how we interpret (or, more accurately, misinterpret) Scripture. So I want to use the interaction here as a prime example of the ways that believers often do that.

- In that way, this sermon is a warning to all of us as believers. Just because we claim to be people of the Book doesn’t mean that we are handling it well. Sometimes we use it to further what we want rather than what God wants.

HOW TO (MIS)INTERPRET THE BIBLE:

1. THEY WERE MORE INTERESTED IN FINDING EXCEPTIONS AND JUSTIFYING THEIR ARGUMENT THAN SEEKING GOD'S ORIGINAL VISION.

- Matthew 19:3-4.

- Verse 3 brings out the first half of this statement.

- They are interested in what the exceptions are to the rules. They are interested in justifying the argument they’ve made.

- Verse 4 brings out the second half of this statement.

- Jesus points them back to the original vision that God had for marriage.

- The type of behavior seen in v. 3 is really common, especially among “mature” Christians. Those who have been at this walk of faith for a long time spend an inordinate amount of time at the edges. They often work to slice thinner and thinner layers of speculation and get worked up about truly minor issues.

- Why do they do that? It’s more fun (?) or engaging there because:

a. Knowing the minutiae makes them feel more knowledgeable and mature. These are obscure and deep waters that the average person has no clue about.

b. Dwelling on the big truths often leaves people with tensions and uncertainties (as it does here) that they are eager to resolve (usually by our logic rather than God’s wisdom).

c. The big truths seem simple, obvious, and fundamental. It seems like, especially in a “Christian education” model of spiritual growth, we should quickly move past such elementary things.

2. THERE ARE PROFOUND, DEEP TRUTHS TO PONDER IN GOD'S BIG VISION.

- Matthew 19:5-6.

- With big truths there are usually aspects of it that push us in uncomfortable ways that we would rather avoid. Rather than quickly seeking explanations that lesson our unease, we need to dwell in the challenge and allow it to refine us.

- Two ways to think about it:

a. We should spend more time pondering what’s at the center as seeking to determine where the edges are.

b. We should ask “How should things be?” rather than “What are the details?”

- One phrase that I think often creeps up in these situations: “What about . . . ?”

- It’s a bad sign when we immediately go there.

- Someone brings up a big truth, especially one that is challenging and we quickly start with the qualifiers and excuses. We say, “What about . . . ?” and then share an exception or a mitigating factor.

- Notice that we didn’t spend almost any time in prayerful meditation on the big truth there. Instead, we immediately went looking for the edges. That’s not a good sign.

3. THE PHARISEES CONFUSED WHAT GOD PERMITTED WITH WHAT GOD COMMANDED.

- Matthew 19:7-8.

- Notice the difference verbs used in vv. 7-8. They are most significant.

- In v. 7 the Pharisees say that Moses “commanded” concerning divorce. It gives the feel that they are solidly within God’s will in what they are doing.

- Of course, they’re not saying God commanded us to get divorce. Rather, they’re saying that when divorce is necessary, they are following the commands of God.

- In v. 8 Jesus uses a different word: “permitted.” This speaks more to God allowing something, rather than revealing His perfect will or something that He’s totally fine with.

- In religious circles, what is allowed can quickly become what is expected, applauded, or at least fiercely defended.

- “It’s my right” can quickly follow “Is it permissible?” or “Is it allowed?” Sometimes it might even happen within a generation.

- In that transition, we might drop questions like “Is this for the best?” or “Is this God’s best for my life?” or “Where is God growing me?” or “Why do I chafe at that part of God’s call?”

- How quickly we move God saying, “If you have to in a worst-case scenario, this is permissible” to us saying, “This is my right.”

- In light of all this, it’s important that we ask the question as we read Scripture: when God says something, is it a vision of His best or is it a concession to our worst?