Understand the Bible/Is It Just a Small Misunderstanding?

A little girl saw smoke rising from factory smokestacks and expanding on what looked like puffy clouds, she concluded that the purpose of the factory was to make clouds.  Such a small misunderstanding on the part of a child can be amusing.  However, a major misunderstanding can impact our lives.  For example, misreading the label on a container of medicine could bring serious consequences.

Misunderstandings about spiritual matters can be even more serious.  For example, some people misunderstood Jesus' teachings.  (John 6:48-68) Instead of learning more, they rejected everything that Jesus taught. What a loss!

Do you read the Bible for guidance?  That is commendable. Is there  a danger, though, that you might misunderstand something that you have read?  It happens to many people. Consider three common misunderstandings. 

* Some people misunderstand the Bible command to "fear the true God."  they assume that a morbid dread of God is called for.   (Ecclesiastes 12:13) But God does not want those  who worship him to feel that way about him. He says:  "Do not be afraid, for I am with you.Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you."  (Isaiah 41:10)   To fear God simply means to feel awe and deep respect for him.

* Some people misread these inspired words: "There is an  appointed time for everything under heaven, . . .a time for birth and a time to die.  "They conclude  that God has decided the exact moment when each human will die. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2)   However, that passage is actually commenting on the cycle of life and noting that death is our common lot. God's Word also teaches that our own decisions can affect our life span.  (  I do not exactly agree with all of that. There is a passage in the Bible that says our hairs are numbered, I believe that to mean that there  is a certain time for us to die, because some of the Bible characters lived for over hundred years  and some did not.  I believe, and I could be wrong, but it makes sense, that if we are lovers and worshipers of God and trust him completely,  It helps to stay on this earth a little longer.  The ones who went against him, it seemed did not.)   We read; "The fear of Jehovah prolongs life."  (Proverbs 10:27; Psalm 90:10; Isaiah 55:3) How so? For instance, respect for God's Word will move us to avoid such unhealthy practices as drunkenness and immorality. -1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.

* Some take the Bible literally when it states that the heavens and the earth are "reserved for fire," and they conclude that God will destroy this planet.  (2 Peter 3:7)  But God promises that he will never allow the literal earth  to be destroyed.  God "has established the earth on its foundations; it will be moved from its place forever and ever."  (Psalm 104:5; Isaiah 45:18) It is this corrupt world system of things, not the literal planet, that will meet it permanent end, as if destroyed by fire. As for the heavens, when the word is meant literally, it may refer either to the sky, the starry universe, or God's place of dwelling. None of these will be destroyed.

Next time: Understand the Bible/ Is It Just a Small Misunderstanding? -WHY IS THE BIBLE SOMETIMES MISUNDERSTOOD?

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