Reading the Word Brings Freedom!

November 2025

   Have you ever heard anyone declare “The Bible says . . .” and then quote from some obscure scripture or quote something out of context to prove a point? I remember as a child hearing a church member say, “You know, the Bible says that cleanliness is next to godliness.” I never could find that scripture because it’s not in there!

   Well, I am not opposed to cleanliness. It is helpful! But there are half-truths quoted from the Bible which are damaging to your faith and your relationship with God. Telling a child at his father’s funeral that “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away” can damage that child and any relationship he could possibly have with God.

   This teaching on “Scriptural Balance to Hard Sayings” is one that Dad taught often. He believed the need for this teaching was great because he, himself, had been bound by these unscriptural half-truths and misunderstanding of scripture.

   Hearing “you never know what God will do” from members of our church made me doubt the goodness of God. For years I struggled with trusting Him. How could I be obedient to someone who might reward me or punish me on a whim?

   Jesus said:

   “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 ESV).

   It is the knowledge of scriptural truth that will release you from bondage. The bondage of a mindset is powerful, and if we believe that God is somehow against us, pulling strings from heaven to punish us, then not only is our relationship damaged, but we can have no faith in an unpredictable God.

   Whenever you read the Bible, read it from this viewpoint:

• I am a child of God, and I am loved by my Father. He wants only the best for me.

• God is good. The devil is bad.

• Good things come from God. Bad things come from the devil.

   If you are born again and Jesus is your Lord, reading the Word of God brings freedom and blessing in your life!

   May God’s blessings overtake you!

In Christ,

Annette Capps

Click Here to view this month's teaching by Charles Capps, Scriptural Balance to Hard Sayings

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