Putting Words in God's Mouth

I see it happen in online comments, in personal conversations, in Bible studies and in church services, even from church pulpits: Christians putting words in God’s mouth.

It’s largely due to the fact that we aren’t Berean enough. 

The Bereans listened respectfully to the Apostle Paul when he told them about Jesus, but they checked everything he said with Scripture (Acts 17:11). 

They trusted the words of Scripture (the words of God) more than the words of any man.

If we become more Berean, we’ll avoid a great many errors, a great many half-truths.

1. We’ll study Scripture regularly to grow in our overall knowledge of God’s actual words (2 Timothy 2:15).
See Fake News Stories and Twisted Scriptures.

2. We’ll test every teaching against Scripture, even the teachings of Christians we admire (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
See Don't Let Others Do Your Thinking.

3. We’ll reject any and every teaching that is untrue or half true (Colossians 2:8).
See Avoiding Concrete Minds.

4. We’ll speak up gently but firmly when other Christians put words in God’s mouth (Colossians 4:6).
See Peace is Not the Highest Good.

It’s wrong to misquote anyone, but especially harmful when we misquote God.
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