It turns out that misquoting, misapplying or misusing scripture is not all that uncommon. To help you avoid this error I have created this post. While this post does not cover all verses that may be misquoted, misapplied or misused and all situations in which you may end up misquoting, misapplying or misusing scripture, it hopefully will make you think twice before you speak.

Marriage and Children.

In the middle of a fight with your wife do not look toward heaven and say the woman you put here with me Genesis 3:12 is the problem.

If you find it hard to get along with your wife and feel that you may be able to get along better with someone else, don’t remind her that King Solomon was wise and he had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines 1 Kings 11:3 (NIV), remember his wives led him astray.

When you want a snack from the fridge but don’t want to get up and get it quoting Colossians 3:20 (NIV), Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord as you demand they bring you a cold drink is not appropriate.

Whoever spares the rod hates their children Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) is not justification for taking the children fishing every week.

Interacting with Others.

As family members age and become hard of hearing and/or their speech becomes difficult to understand, do not assume that just because Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue Mark 7:33 (NIV) you should do the same.

Standing outside of a bar and punching everyone who comes out claiming that your research into drunkenness reveals that those who drink too much say “They hit me…but I’m not hurt!   They beat me, but I don’t feel it!” Proverbs 23:35 (NIV) may not turn out very good for you.

Walking up to every bald guy and telling them they are making God’s job easy (And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered Matthew 10:30 (NIV)) is not the right application of that verse.

Public Behaviour.

Just because Job said “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” Job 1:21 (NIV) doesn’t mean naked I will live in between, put on some clothes!

If you feel that the exchange rate you are getting is too high don’t make a whip and overturn some tables John 2:15 (NIV), just because Jesus did it doesn’t mean you should.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) doesn’t mean that if you steal someone’s money you are helping them stay faithful.

Work, Recreation and Church.

Blaming God for you not getting through a large pile of paperwork is a poor defence. Your boss doesn’t care that you think you have enough faith to say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move Matthew 17:20 (NIV).

There is no excuse for spitting out food in a restaurant no matter what temperature it is; because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth Revelation 3:16 (NIV) does not give you permission to be rude.

When you are not particularly fond of your pastor, muttering under your breath that God can speak through an ass Numbers 22:28 (NIV) every time you see him is not right no matter how true you think it is.

Misquoted, misapplied or misused scripture is not this obvious, so be on guard at all times.

We like to be right, we like to get what we want and we like to be healthy. To that end we search the Bible for verses that support our point of view, suggest that we will get whatever we want and point toward the healing of all our ills. Be on your guard at all times. Satan loves to use our desires and the scriptures we rely on to back up our contention that those desires will be filled by God, to make God appear to be a liar.

God’s Plan – Done God’s Way – In God’s Timing – With God’s Chosen Resources

All of the promises we name and claim in the Bible are subject to achieving what God has set out to do in the way He has set out to do it, at the time He wishes it to take place, using the methods and people He chooses to employ in His perfection.

No matter what a verse says, using it as a defence for your point of view may not be the right understanding of God’s word.

No matter what a verse says, what we want may not be what God wants and what God wants is perfect.

No matter what a verse says, being healed is not a guarantee in this life but take heart, in the life to come our new body will be imperishable.