Think about this. Suppose I go to McDonalds, and I’m standing in line next to a news reporter. Just the fact that in this illustration I am at McDonalds would be a news item, since I don’t usually go there. So, the news reporter decides to write a news piece that “Joshua is At McDonalds”! I step up to the counter and say “I’ll take three of those!” – pointing to the hamburger listed on the overhead menu display. Then a week later, I get a bill in the mail from a jewelry store saying I owe $300 for 3 pieces of jewelry. So, I call the jewelry store up and say – “I never ordered any jewelry!” And they reply, “Yes you did…You said ‘I’ll take three of those!’ it was written in the newspaper!” Well, obviously that would be misquoting me and that would be rather foolish for a jewelry store to think that!
However, that’s what thousands of people do with the Word of God. They take a verse from the Bible and use it or claim it’s promise for their advantage without even stopping to check the surrounding passage and exactly what the circumstances are and the relation of that verse or verses to the rest of the Bible. One of the most often verses I’ve seen used in this way is Jeremiah 29:11, and they usually use the NIV version which says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And many times they use this verse because they like the phrase “…plans to PROSPER you…” Although in the ESV, NASB, and other translations the verse is translated “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ”
But, beside that – the verse is in relation to the people of the Nation of Israel who had been taken captive by the Babylonian empire for 70 years, and if we read the entire section it goes like this: “For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:10-14)
When we read and claim the promises of God’s Word – we need to be careful and certain that we read the entire Bible, and study the Bible so that we know who the promises are written to, and what they involve. What’s sad is many of the people who claim the verses and promises about prosperity and blessing aren’t so quick to claim the promises like “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” and “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:6, 10)
This is why it is SO IMPORTANT to read the WHOLE Bible and STUDY it as well! So, we don’t misquote it! There are MANY promises in the Word of God that are precious and wonderful for all, but we need the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction in learning God’s Word and applying it to our lives. Spend much time in prayer and Bible study – they will change your life!