 The five most misused and abused Bible verses. Straight out of context, written by Shane Pruitt for relevantmagazine.com, narrated by Darren Marlar. The Word of God is an absolute necessity. All 66 books were inspired and authored by the Holy Spirit of God using 40 human instruments. Orthodox Christianity believes that the scriptures in their original manuscripts are without error and fault. This Bible is not merely a collection of quotes or one-liners, but is literally the Word of God. When the scriptures speak, God is speaking. That's why we must approach the Bible with extreme care and intentionality. How it is read, memorized and quoted is of utmost importance. However, Christians often misunderstand, misquote, or even misuse verses in the Bible. For example, we may turn to the concordance in the back, wanting to find a verse on a particular subject, read the ones suggested, find a favorite one, and then start quoting away. Or possibly we hear others misquoting verses. They sound right in the moment, so we also begin spreading the misuse, without taking the time to study the verse in its author intended context. There is a list of the five most misused and abused Bible verses. 1. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4-13. This verse has nothing to do with dunking a basketball, getting a game-winning homerun, bench-pressing a bus, winning the lottery, or closing a business deal. The Apostle Paul is under house arrest awaiting his trial where he may possibly be put to death for preaching the resurrection of Jesus. However, instead of being defeated by unfortunate circumstances, Paul is using this opportunity to teach the young church in Philippi that he can endure any and every circumstance, ups and downs, highs and lows, because he has a strength that only comes from Christ. This supernatural strength to endure all seasons and situations is always with Paul because the Holy Spirit of Christ is always with him, even in prison. 2. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18-20. This verse is usually quoted as an encouragement to one another when there is low attendance for a worship service or given as a benediction during a prayer meeting. In fact, if someone really wants to stretch this verse, they may use it as justification for skipping church to worship with their family at home while the football game is playing in the background. This verse falls specifically within the context of church discipline and dealing with wayward believers. It is meant to be an encouragement to church leaders during tough times of loving confrontation to say that God would be present with the two or three witnesses as they are intentional in correcting and restoring a fallen brother or sister. 3. 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. Jeremiah 29-11. This verse is typically given to someone as a sentiment during a difficult time or on a graduation card after crossing a stage receiving his or her diploma or degree. As a stand-alone promise, it appears as though God exists to make us all popular, rich, healthy and powerfully well-known. God declares the American dream over my life! Well, this incredible promise is given not to an individual but to a people group, Hebrews, Exiled and Babylon. God promised that he had not given up on his people and that even though things looked dire, they still had a future and a hope. So the word prosper doesn't refer to money or material blessings. It refers to physical and spiritual salvation. It is a beautiful promise that God is not done with his people and that their future and hope were only found in him. The promise is that he will see his plans through and his people get to be a part of them. 4. Judge not that you be not judged. Matthew 7 verse 1. We are living in a day that values tolerance above all, unless of course someone disagrees with our beliefs, lifestyles or opinions, and then we are extremely intolerant. We may even boldly shout, only God can judge me. However, this is Tupac theology, not Biblical theology. This verse is not a warning against speaking out against certain actions or behaviors. In fact, in other places of Scripture, we are told we will know them by their fruit. We are also commanded in the Great Commission to make disciples, which includes helping others wage war against sin. However, Matthew 7 is a warning against self-righteousness and hypocrisy. If we are going to correct someone, then we must expect to be held to the same standard. If we judge with aggression, then we can expect to be judged with aggression. Even though we remove the plank in our eye, Jesus still says we must remove the speck in our brothers. 5. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46 verse 10. Honestly, the most common travesty committed toward this verse is that only a piece of this verse is quoted. On coffee mugs, desktop screensavers with roses in the background and paintings with a mountain, you will see a section of this verse carved out from the entire thought. 6. Be still and know that I am God. The greatest just as we can provide for this verse is to actually quote it in its entirety. What an incredible comfort and reminder to know that we can be still and know that God is in control. As His people, we can rest in the truth that He will be exalted in the nations across the earth, and there is nothing that can stop God from accomplishing His will. Everything God does and says is intentional. Every word in the Scriptures is on purpose and placed in the specific context that He desires. Therefore, we must be careful with the Word of God and be intentional in how we speak this word. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3 verses 16 and 17.