I'm careful with the phrase, "The Bible says." Because the Bible says a lot of things. And if I'm not careful, I can easily twist the Bible to say things I want it to say. We all can. It's easy to shrink down God to match our opinions or our politics. Too often, "The Bible says" becomes a conversation ender, a weapon we use when we want to win an argument.
The prophet Jeremiah shows us that false prophets say "The Bible says," and it sounds convincing. But what they really mean is, "I say." So, we'll have to discern when what the Bible says sounds like them and not the other way around.
The truth of God we find in scripture doesn't just comfort us. It also rocks our worldview. It doesn't just inspire us. It's supposed to interrupt our regularly scheduled living. What the Bible says is supposed to free us. Free us to love and serve God with all of our being. To burn away lies of hate and division and break apart systems of injustice.
The false prophets Jeremiah confronted gave people their own dreams disguised as God's. And the danger is still real today. We often want to trade God's word for our own wish list. Or we want the Bible to win us arguments instead of letting it shape us. Too many people have loud opinions about other people's lives, supposedly based on scripture that they don't even live up to themselves.
When you’re tempted to say, ‘The Bible says," pause and ask: "Is this God’s voice, or just mine?" Jeremiah says God’s word is fire. It burns away lies. God’s word is a hammer. It breaks apart what is hardened. So, don’t just quote it. Let it burn you. Let it break you open. The word of God doesn’t need you to defend it. You need it to live.
Stay blessed...john | 
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