Scripture twisters are people who twist what the Bible teaches for some perceived benefit to themselves. Bible Scholars warn us that such people often arise to challenge the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. They twist His teaching to justify their immoral behavior, to get rich, or to exercise power over as many people as possible. While He was here on earth, Jesus frequently confronted Scripture twisters among the religious leaders. In Mark Ch 7, we read how the Pharisees challenged Jesus because his disciples did not wash their hands as the Pharisees taught. Jesus used the occasion to show how they violated God’s clear command in order to maintain power over people. They set aside God’s command to take care of their parents by claiming the money they should use to support their parents had been dedicated as a gift to God. They twisted God’s word to justify keeping it in their own pockets. Jesus saw through their ulterior motive and Scripture twisting because it violated God’s explicit command. Today we must be very careful lest we try to justify our actions in order to satisfy our desire for pleasure, to get rich at the expense of others, or to exercise power over people.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
