Christian Reflection: "Twisted Scriptures"

Christian Reflection: "Twisted Scriptures" - I’ve been thinking about the Scriptures that get twisted the most by false teachers. You’d be surprised how often the same handful of verses get pulled out like tools from a worn-out toolbox — not to build up the church, but to prop up egos, silence questions, or justify things God never approved.

Here are a few of the big red flags that I observe on a regular basis;

1. “Touch not mine anointed…” (Psalm 105:15)

How it’s abused: Used like a spiritual restraining order to silence any accountability.

Red flag: If a pastor quotes this to duck questions, correction, or oversight, run. David wasn’t talking about celebrity pastors — he was talking about the patriarchs. Accountability isn’t persecution.

2. “Judge not…” (Matthew 7:1)

How it’s abused: Ripped clean out of context to mean: “Don’t call out sin. Don’t question teaching. Don’t test anything.”

Red flag: Jesus wasn’t banning judgment — He was banning hypocritical judgment. Three verses later He literally tells us to spot false prophets “by their fruit.” If someone weaponizes this verse to shut your mouth, that’s a problem.

3. “Give, and it shall be given unto you…” (Luke 6:38)

How it’s abused: Turned into a holy vending machine: put in money → get blessings.

Red flag: Any preacher who talks about giving more than they talk about Jesus is not shepherding a flock — they’re running a business with hymns.

4. “Where two or three are gathered…” (Matthew 18:20)

How it’s abused:Used to justify any idea, decision, or meeting as automatically blessed just because two Christians agreed on something.

Red flag: This whole section is about church discipline, not “meeting quorum for fairy-dust blessings.” When leaders use this to validate every decision, that’s sloppy at best and manipulative at worst.

5. “I can do all things…” (Philippians 4:13)

How it’s abused: Marketed as a motivational poster for personal success, performance, and accomplishing anything your imagination can cook up.

Red flag: Paul was talking about endurance, not ego. If a teacher uses this verse to elevate self instead of dependence on Christ, that’s a sign of pride-driven teaching.

6. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper…” (3 John 2)

How it’s abused: Used as the cornerstone for prosperity theology.

Red flag: John was sending a personal greeting — like “Hope you’re doing well.” Turning that into a divine guarantee of wealth is like turning a Hallmark card into a doctrine.

7. “You are gods…” (Psalm 82:6)

How it’s abused: Used by New Age-leaning teachers to claim we have divine power, authority, or even divinity equal to God.

Red flag: If a teacher starts acting like we’re little deities with cosmic powers, that’s not Christianity — that’s self-worship in a choir robe.

8. “Without vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18)

How it’s abused: Stretched to mean “Follow the pastor’s dreams, goals, building projects, and fundraisers.”

Red flag: The verse is about the revelation of God’s Word, not the pastor’s five-year plan. If a ministry replaces the Bible with branding, that’s a bad sign.

9. “Call those things that are not as though they were…” (Romans 4:17)

How it’s abused: Used to claim believers can “speak things into existence.”

Red flag: Only God calls things into being. When teachers elevate our words to God-level power, they’re stepping into dangerous territory.

10. “By His stripes we are healed…” (Isaiah 53:5)

How it’s abused: Used to declare guaranteed physical healing in this life if you have “enough faith.”

Red flag: Christ’s atonement absolutely includes healing — but not the prosperity caricature that blames the suffering for their suffering.

Want a quick rule of thumb?

If a teacher uses scripture to:
- avoid accountability
- demand loyalty
- justify luxury
- silence questions
- elevate self
- promise what God never promised
…you’re not listening to a shepherd. You’re listening to a salesman with a Bible verse taped to his briefcase.

Here’s the heart of it: - A healthy church won’t twist the Word to build a platform. A healthy pastor won’t weaponize Scripture to gain control. And a healthy believer learns to spot the difference between truth that sets you free… and teaching that keeps you dependent on the one holding the microphone.

Test everything. Hold fast to what is good. Don’t be afraid to walk away from what doesn’t look or sound like Jesus.

Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you.

In His love and grace,

ray mileur

Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.
www.raymileurministries.com