CHERRY PICKIN

“Cherry Picking” The Scriptures

 

Have you ever picked cherries? The idea is to choose the ripe ones while ignoring the rest.

Some of us “cherry pick” the Scriptures by selecting the truths we like while disregarding the ones we dislike.

And what we like to pick from the Scriptures are the truths that insure God’s promises of material blessings, healing, and general well-being, while ignoring His demands for separation from sin; living a life of integrity, purity, and servanthood.

If we are “cherry picking” the Scriptures, we are guilty of reducing the Word of God and Jesus Christ to a servile role that caters to our insatiable self-love.

Conversely, Paul, in preaching God’s Word resisted the temptation of “cherry picking” the Scriptures:

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  (Acts 20:27)

There are many today who, claim to be “Christians” who knowingly do things that hurt and defraud others .

Imagine it! Individuals who supposedly have been touched by the love of Christ are using their position in the Christian community to exploit others! Apparently Scriptural “cherry picking” has dulled their conscience to make such behavior palatable.

Peter cautioned us: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  (1 Peter 2:16)

Paul also cautions us: For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  (Gal 5:13)

QUESTION: Are we ruthlessly applying all the Scriptures to our life, or are we selectively “cherry picking” the ones that pander to our narcissistic tendencies?

The next time we are tempted to soften our stance on integrity by “cherry-picking” the Scriptures we choose to apply, keep in mind Jesus’ warning,

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  (Rev 22:19)

 

Pastor Woody