WAYS TO DETERMINE IF A SCRIPTURE IS USED CORRECTLY - Scripture is misused by certain teachers in teachings that promote prosperity, promise physical healing, or endorse Old Testament legalism. Typically, these errors are taught by taking verses out of context and giving them meanings they don't have. Always look at the historical background - This doesn't mean that historical context negates the principles in the passage, but it does clarify them. Always look at the verse context. Read the passage in several translations. Sometimes, reading a passage in several translations clarifies the meaning. Explain the passage in your own words. Sadly, many people allow deceptive or misinformed teachers to tell them what Scripture means instead of studying it for themselves. If you have trouble understanding the meaning, look it up in credible unbiased commentaries. Be honest enough to reject a false explanation of Scripture. Don't be swayed by the number of people who promote an error. Be like the Bereans and make sure their claims are validated in Scripture. - Recently I heard Jeremiah 10:2-4 used to condemn the use of Christmas trees. This is such an excellent example of the way Scripture is misused by certain teachers that I felt it was worth explaining. Even though I'm using this particular passage and teaching, you will find similar misuse of Scripture in teachings that promote prosperity, promise physical healing, or endorse Old Testament legalism.

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Ways to Determine if a Scripture is Used Correctly

Scripture is misused by certain teachers in teachings that promote prosperity, promise physical healing, or endorse Old Testament legalism. Typically, these errors are taught by taking verses out of context and giving them meanings they don't have. 

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Always look at the historical background - This doesn't mean that historical context negates the principles in the passage, but it does clarify them. Always look at the verse context. Read the passage in several translations. Sometimes, reading a passage in several translations clarifies the meaning. Explain the passage in your own words.

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Sadly, many people allow deceptive or misinformed teachers to tell them what Scripture means instead of studying it for themselves. If you have trouble understanding the meaning, look it up in credible unbiased commentaries. Be honest enough to reject a false explanation of Scripture. Don't be swayed by the number of people who promote an error. Be like the Bereans and make sure their claims are validated in Scripture.

Gail Burton Purath

Recently I heard Jeremiah 10:2-4 used to condemn the use of Christmas trees.

This is such an excellent example of the way Scripture is misused by certain teachers that I felt it was worth explaining.

Even though I'm using this particular passage and teaching, you will find similar misuse of Scripture in teachings that promote prosperity, promise physical healing, or endorse Old Testament legalism.

Typically, these errors are taught by taking verses out of context and giving them meanings they don't have.

So let me respond to this use of Jeremiah 10 using principles that can help us accurately understand any passage.

1. Always look at the historical background:

This doesn't mean that historical context negates the principles in the passage, but it does clarify them.

This is especially important when discussing Old Testament passages because they contain some laws and principles that were meant for a specific group or a specific time in history.

The historical background of Jeremiah 10: It deals with pagan practices that were currently influencing the nation of Israel.

The connection with paganism and the worship of false gods was obvious to the Israelites.

In contrast, modern teachings against Christmas trees associate Christmas trees with pagan practices from the ancient past, pagan religions no longer practiced.

In addition, from my study, while these pagan holidays once existed, the claims that Christmas originated as pagan holidays is without credible historic evidence.

2. Always look at the verse context.

It's interesting that this false teaching used Jeremiah 10:2-4, and didn't include verse 5 since verse 5 clarifies the passage.

Jeremiah 10:2-5: This is what the Lord says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. 3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. 4 They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. 5 Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.”

If we had any doubts why these people were cutting trees from the forest and adorning them with gold and silver, verse five removes those doubts.

It clearly explains that they are making idols from the trees.

3. Read the passage in several translations.

This passage has the same meaning in all good translations.

Sometimes, however, reading a passage in several translations clarifies the meaning.

One example is Proverbs 23:7 which is widely misused when taken out of context and quoted only in the KJV. See Proverbs 23:7 Does Not Mean We Become What We Think.

4. Explain the passage in your own words.

When a teacher quotes a passage and then explains what it means, listeners are mislead by the explanation, not the passage.

Jeremiah 10:2-5 in my own words: The Lord tells us not do the things that pagan nations are doing and not to be worried by what they claim are signs in the sky. Their practices are worthless. They cut down trees and craft them into idols, adorning them with gold and silver, building them with hammer and nails. They are as lifeless as a scarecrow. They can't speak or move on their own. Don't think they can do you any harm or any good.

People who use this passage as a proof that God hates Christmas trees claim it applies to cutting a tree from the forest to decorate.

That is as ridiculous as claiming that this passage prohibits us from looking at the sky because pagans see "signs in the heavens."

Sadly, many people allow deceptive or misinformed teachers to tell them what Scripture means instead of studying it for themselves.

5. If you have trouble understanding the meaning, look it up in credible unbiased commentaries.

Even though the meaning of Jeremiah 10:2-5 is straightforward, for purposes of this article, I looked up these verses in nine commentaries and found that every commentary explained that these verses were talking about crafting pagan statues or idols to worship.

For examples: Bible Hub Commentaries on Jeremiah 10:3.

6. Be honest enough to reject a false explanation of Scripture.

This passage has nothing to do with decorating a tree in our home, and teaching people that it does is deceptive.

The only way it would apply to a Christmas tree is if we carved Christmas trees into idols or worshiped our trees as idols to other gods.

However, if you google "Jeremiah 10:2-5 Christmas trees," you will find many people using it the wrong way.

Don't be swayed by the number of people who promote an error.

Be like the Bereans and make sure their claims are validated in Scripture (Acts 17:11).

Hi! I'm Gail Burton Purath. I started Bible Love Notes to give people a minute of Scriptural encouragement in their busy day.

I don't have all the answers, but

since I asked Christ to be my Lord and Savior in 1974, I've been learning from the One Who has all the answers!

I'm still a sinner, a learner, a student who falls down and disappoints God at times. But it's my desire to grow closer to the Lord, day by day, minute by minute.

I need to be challenged, encouraged, corrected and comforted, and I think you do as well...so let's learn together about the love of God--a love that is so vast that we will always be discovering new and wonderful things about it.

Some Personal stuff:

I married my best friend Michael in 1970.

We have a grown son and daughter and 7 delightful grandchildren.

I've been a student of the Bible for 40 years

I'm a former Army wife, former homeschooler, and former missionary to Budapest, Hungary

I was born in Colorado, but I'm a "nomad" having moved about 40 times in my life!

I never graduated from college, but I have a Masters in Discipleship and Evangelism from seminary.

https://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/2009/12/does-jeremiah-102-4-condemn-christmas.html

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NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES - The Bible must always be the standard for evaluating our experience - we should search the scriptures and evaluate these experiences in the light of God’s truth. Biology, spiritual deception, and lack of mental clarity all contribute the potential of seriously misleading impressions during near-death experiences, making it all the more important that we base our beliefs on scripture, and not on experiences. We have to do what the Bereans did — search the scriptures. Where the experience contradicts the revealed Word of God, the Word must be accepted over the experience - for the Christian, there simply is no other option - Near-death experiences, which occur most frequently with cardiac arrest, are generally defined as instances where clinical death appears to occur, as defined by lack of blood flow to the brain followed by shutdown of brain function, followed by a restoration of brain function and a regaining of consciousness. Near-death experiences have become important because many people have developed a variety of conflicting views of death and eternity based on these incidents. Real death is final, with the exception of some very specific instances of resurrection mentioned in the Bible. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment. The defining difference between death and a near-death experience is that real death is very permanent. There are no instances of near-death experiences, as defined above, found in the Bible. However, there are several instances of miraculous resurrections which take place.

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Near-Death Experiences

Questions and Answers Related to Near-Death Experiences

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The Bible must always be the standard for evaluating our experience - we should search the scriptures and evaluate these experiences in the light of God’s truth. Biology, spiritual deception, and lack of mental clarity all contribute the potential of seriously misleading impressions during near-death experiences, making it all the more important that we base our beliefs on scripture, and not on experiences. We have to do what the Bereans did — search the scriptures. Where the experience contradicts the revealed Word of God, the Word must be accepted over the experience - for the Christian, there simply is no other option

BY RANDY ALCORN, JIM HENDERSHOT

What are near-death experiences, and why are they important?

Near-death experiences, which occur most frequently with cardiac arrest, are generally defined as instances where clinical death appears to occur, as defined by lack of blood flow to the brain followed by shutdown of brain function, followed by a restoration of brain function and a regaining of consciousness.

Near-death experiences have become important because many people have developed a variety of conflicting views of death and eternity based on these incidents.

How are near-death experiences different than actual death?

Real death is final, with the exception of some very specific instances of resurrection mentioned in the Bible.

Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment.

The defining difference between death and a near-death experience is that real death is very permanent.

Are there any examples of near-death experiences in the Bible? How are they different from what is commonly described in modern near-death experiences?

There are no instances of near-death experiences, as defined above, found in the Bible.

However, there are several instances of miraculous resurrections which take place.

Examples include

o the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24),

o  Jairus’s daughter (Luke 8:41-56),

o  the widow’s son (Luke 7:12-16),

o  Lazarus (John 11:1-45), and of course,

o  the resurrection of Jesus himself.

In all of these cases, the scriptural emphasis is on glorifying God who brings about the resurrection, while there is absolutely no information on what the person experienced during the time they were dead.

There is no emphasis on the experience of “being dead” at all.

In fact, the account told by Jesus of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) provides a clear indication that even if a man were to rise from the dead and tell what eternity was really like, it wouldn’t be any more effective in reaching those who reject God.

Can we learn about Heaven and Hell from near-death experiences? How accurate is the information shared?

Near-death experiences, as mentioned above, are quite different from death.

Death is final, so near-death experiences can only tell us what it’s like to come close to dying.

The underlying false assumption is this: Coming close to death is the same as dying and being resurrected, and that’s simply not true.

Additionally, there are a lot of contradictions in the testimony of those who have had a near-death experience, making it impossible to create an accurate view of what awaits in eternity.

Many sincere people have had experiences that differ greatly from scriptural truth. How do you explain this?

People may be sincere, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t deluded.

Satan and his army have no problem imitating angels, and even Christ.

We are always to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). 

Another thing to consider: some near-death experiences are very traumatic, and the mind, faced with such trauma, may rework the experience into something more palatable.

One of Randy’s friends, a doctor, recounted an experience where a man who was initially struggling later recounted the experience as a wonderful dream of heaven.

This incident wound up as a story thread in Randy’s book Dominion.

In addition to the spiritual and psychological explanations, there are also a variety of medical explanations as well.

What are the medical explanations for what happens during near-death experiences?

Near-death experiences occur most frequently with cardiac arrest, resulting in blood loss to the brain, which begins to undergo dysfunction if deprived of blood supply for more than ten seconds.

Higher consciousness is affected first, followed progressively by lower and lower levels of brain function.

Like the orderly shutdown of a computer, more complex things go first, followed by more basic things later.

This commonly occurs when fighter pilots “grey out” during periods of high acceleration, and many pilots have reported effects similar to near-death experiences.

It is the continuation of basic brain functions that allow people to remember their near-death experience, as well as continue to hear the voices of doctors and relatives during that time, as hearing is one of the last brain functions to fail.

Many other specifics of near-death experiences have explanations relating to changes in brain chemistry caused by lack of oxygen, including the “out of body” experience described by many.

In short, many of the events common to near-death experiences have a biological origin, and are not glimpses of eternity at all.

What about deathbed experiences?

There is a huge difference between experiences that occur during real death (remember, real death is final) and near-death experiences.

One well known biblical example of such an experience is the stoning of Stephen.

Just as in resurrection experiences, the emphasis is on God’s glory, not Stephen’s experience (Acts 7:55-60).

What criteria should we use when evaluating information from near-death experiences?

The Bible must always be the standard for evaluating our experience.

We should search the scriptures and evaluate these experiences in the light of God’s truth.

Biology, spiritual deception, and lack of mental clarity all contribute the potential of seriously misleading impressions during near-death experiences, making it all the more important that we base our beliefs on scripture, and not on experiences.

What about evangelical authors like Mary Baxter who claim to have received revelation from God but relate descriptions which differ significantly from your descriptions in your book Heaven? How can we know what is right?

Let me use Mrs. Baxter’s book as an example of how to evaluate this kind of information about near-death experiences.

Dr. T. L. Lowery wrote the foreword to Mrs. Baxter’s book, A Divine Revelation of Heaven.

In it, he says, “The inspired writings of Mary Kathryn Baxter are divinely anointed by God.”

Mrs. Baxter says, “The Spirit of the living God revealed to me everything I am telling you.”

But we have to do what the Bereans did — search the scriptures.

Mrs. Baxter says hell is in the center of the earth, and is occupied by snakes and rats.

She speaks of “demons taking turns poking a soul with spears.”

One room in hell is called the “fun center” where there are special torments for mediums and witches.

Yet there is no mention of any of these things in scripture.

Satan and demons are portrayed as ruling and torturing people in hell, whereas the Bible says they will not go to hell until after the judgment, and they will not go to punish anyone, but to be punished by God.

Mary Baxter claims that Jesus twice abandoned her in hell, even though He has promised in scripture to never leave us or forsake us.

She says that God always wants to heal every Christian.

But scripture tells of many instances showing this is not so, including the example of Paul, where God did not heal him of his thorn in the flesh, but rather told the apostle that His grace is sufficient.

Mrs. Baxter says people are not healed only because of their unbelief.

That, apparently, would include Paul, Timothy, and a host of others mentioned in the Bible, who were sick but not healed.

Ultimately, near-death experiences must be evaluated in light of God’s Word.

Where the experience contradicts the revealed Word of God, the Word must be accepted over the experience.

For the Christian, there simply is no other option.

For more information about this subject, see Randy Alcorn's book Heaven.

Randy Alcorn, founder of EPM

Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of fifty-some books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries.

https://www.epm.org/resources/2010/Apr/30/near-death-experiences/

“THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE IS THE VOICE OF GOD” - What Does “Vox Populi, Vox Dei” Mean? - THE MAJORITY POSITION ON ANY SUBJECT DOES NOT IN AND OF ITSELF ALONE MAKE IT RIGHT! When the people understand this point they will know why the Bereans were called noble by God. "Vox Populi, vox Dei” is Satan’s formula and has no place among the faithful of God - there is not any indication that mankind, in the church or out of it, has changed - man has yet to learn that the voice of the people is NOT the voice of God - “The voice of the people is the voice of God,” is the translation of the ancient Latin expression. In a democracy such a sentiment sounds good. Especially does it soothe the ear in a society that is permeated with humanism. When one examines God’s infallible Will, he immediately notices that most of the time most of the people are not in sympathy with the Truth of God. More than this is the fact that the Bible reveals that God’s people are very rarely content to remain submissive to His Will over any extended period of time. Just six chapters into the Bible and some 1500 years from the creation, God is pleased with only eight people out of the whole human race. Concerning God’s chosen people of the Old Testament, the Jews, God said of them at the time of the golden calf incident: “... I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiffnecked people.” Paul warned that some members of the church would conduct themselves according to the aforementioned phrase, with not a few elders and preachers in the lead.

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“The voice of the people is the voice of God”

What Does “Vox Populi, Vox Dei” Mean?

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THE MAJORITY POSITION ON ANY SUBJECT DOES NOT IN AND OF ITSELF ALONE MAKE IT RIGHT! When the people understand this point they will know why the Bereans were called noble by God. "Vox Populi, vox Dei” is Satan’s formula and has no place among the faithful of God - there is not any indication that mankind, in the church or out of it, has changed - man has yet to learn that the voice of the people is NOT the voice of God

David P. Brown

“The voice of the people is the voice of God,” is the translation of the ancient Latin expression serving as the title of this article.

In a democracy such a sentiment sounds good. Especially does it soothe the ear in a society that is permeated with humanism.

When one examines God’s infallible Will, he immediately notices that most of the time most of the people are not in sympathy with the Truth of God.

More than this is the fact that the Bible reveals that God’s people are very rarely content to remain submissive to His Will over any extended period of time.

Just six chapters into the Bible and some 1500 years from the creation, God is pleased with only eight people out of the whole human race (Genesis 6:5-6).

Concerning God’s chosen people of the Old Testament, the Jews, God said of them at the time of the golden calf incident: “... I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiffnecked people” (Exodus 32:1-9).

Paul warned that some members of the church would conduct themselves according to the aforementioned phrase, with not a few elders and preachers in the lead (Acts 20:28-31; I Timothy 4:1ff; II Timothy 4:1-4)!

Therefrom a great apostasy resulted; and there is not any indication that mankind, in the church or out of it, has changed.

That is, man has yet to learn that the voice of the people is NOT the voice of God.

It is still true that the Bereans “... were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11; also see II Timothy 2:15).

Yes, all of us have, do, and will continue to benefit from those who have gone before us in their studies. 

Surely no one is opposed to such benefits and blessings in the least; but that is not the point under consideration.

My point is this: THE MAJORITY POSITION ON ANY SUBJECT DOES NOT IN AND OF ITSELF ALONE MAKE IT RIGHT!

When the people understand this point, they will know why the Bereans were called noble by God, and they will understand Acts 17:11.

"Vox Populi, vox Dei” is Satan’s formula and has no place among the faithful of God. 

Let us strive to make the voice of God the voice of the people. 

Our plea, therefore, is: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God...” (I Peter 4:11);

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation...” (Romans 1:16);

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1); and

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thessalonians 5:21).

The authorized works of the New Testament church are: evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20), edification (Ephesians 4:16) and benevolence (James 1:27; Galatians 6:9-10). We invite you to come and worship God according to the precepts of the New Testament and study with us from God’s Holy Word. You will be given a warm welcome at every assembly of the church. At the present we are small in numbers, but strong in the faith and in our world-wide commitment to seek and save the lost. Come and grow with us in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18).

http://piedmontcoc.net/read/2014/4/14/what-does-vox-populi-vox-dei-mean