Examples of Mistaken Application of Biblical Principles
The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals and groups misapplying biblical principles, often leading to negative consequences or a distortion of God's intended will. These instances range from misunderstanding divine communication to prioritizing human traditions over divine commands.
One significant area of mistaken application involves dreams and visions. While God sometimes revealed His will through dreams, as seen with figures like Joseph and Daniel [3], there were also false prophets who pretended to receive such revelations [3]. The Israelites were warned not to regard these false dreams and were condemned for trusting in them [3]. This highlights the danger of misinterpreting or fabricating divine communication, leading people astray.
Another common misapplication is the use of flattery. The Bible consistently condemns flattery, whether used by the wicked to deceive others (Psalm 5:9), by hypocrites towards God (Psalm 78:36), or by false prophets and teachers (Romans 16:18) [1]. Flattery is presented as a tool for worldly advantage (Daniel 11:21-22) and seldom gains respect (Proverbs 28:23) [1]. The woman of Tekoah and Absalom are biblical examples of individuals who used flattery to manipulate situations [1]. This demonstrates how a seemingly harmless social interaction can become a perversion of truth when used with ill intent.
The Pharisees, in particular, are frequently cited for their mistaken application of biblical principles, often elevating their own traditions above God's law [6]. Jesus directly confronted them for this, pointing out how their traditions contradicted God's commands and allowed them to sidestep requirements [6]. For instance, they would use a tradition called "Corban" to avoid financially supporting their parents, thereby nullifying the commandment to honor one's father and mother [6]. This practice was not an isolated instance but part of a broader pattern where human precepts replaced divine ones, leading to worship that was external rather than heartfelt (Isaiah 29:13) [8, 9]. The result of such traditions was to "cancel the word of God" [9].
The concept of "example" itself can be misapplied. While Christ serves as an example for believers (1 Peter 2:21), and pastors are to be examples to their flocks (1 Peter 5:3), the Jews also served as a warning example due to their unfaithfulness (Hebrews 4:11) [2]. Misunderstanding what constitutes a proper example, or failing to learn from negative examples, can lead to repeated errors.
Even seemingly neutral practices like embalming can illustrate a mistaken application of principles. While embalming became known to the Jews in Egypt, it was not practiced by early patriarchs [5]. The practice, though sometimes used, was not always followed by Jews and could be seen as an attempt to defeat God's purpose, which is the return to dust (Genesis 3:19) [5]. This suggests that adopting cultural practices without discerning their alignment with divine principles can be problematic.
The Israelites' actions in Joshua 7 provide a clear instance of transgression. They "sinned" and "transgressed" God's covenant by taking "devoted things," stealing, and deceiving, placing these forbidden items among their own possessions [4]. This direct disobedience to a clear command illustrates a fundamental misapplication of their covenant relationship with God.
The prophet Hosea also speaks of Israel's mistaken application of their faith, accusing them of telling "lies" to God. They pretended to be His worshippers while simultaneously engaging in idol worship and defrauding God of the glory for their deliverance, attributing blessings to idols instead [7]. This highlights a profound misunderstanding of their covenant obligations and God's exclusive claim to their worship.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Flattery — Saints should not used -- Job 32:21,22. Ministers should not use -- 1Th 2:5. The wicked use, to Others. -- Ps 5:9; 12:2. Themselves. -- Ps 36:2. Hypocrites use, to God. -- Ps 78:36. Those in authority. -- Da 11:34. False prophets and teachers use -- Eze 12:24; Ro 16:18. Wisdom, a preservative against -- Pr 4:5. Worldly advantage obtained by -- Da 11:21,22. Seldom gains respect -- Pr 28:23. Avoid those given to -- Pr 20:19. Danger of -- Pr 7:21-23; 20:5. Punishment of -- Job 17:5; Ps 12:3. Exemplified Woman of Tekoah. -- 2Sa 14:17,20. Absalom. -- 2Sa 15:2-6”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Dreams — Visions in sleep -- Job 33:15; Da 2:28. Often by imaginary -- Job 20:8; Isa 29:8. Excess of business frequently leads to -- Ec 5:3. God's will often revealed in -- Nu 12:6; Job 33:15. False prophets Pretended to. -- Jer 23:25-28; 29:8. Not to be regarded in. -- De 13:1-3; Jer 27:9. Condemned for pretending to. -- Jer 23:32. Vanity of trusting to natural -- Ec 5:7. The ancients Put great faith in. -- Jdj 7:15. Often perplexed by. -- Ge 40:6; 41:8; Job 7:14; Da 2:1; 4:5. Anxious to have, explained. -- Ge 40:8; Da 2:3. Consulting magicians on. -- Ge 41:8; Da 2:”
- Joshua “Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived. They have even put it among their own stuff. -- Joshua 7:11”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Embalming — Unknown to early patriarchs -- Ge 23:4. Learned by the Jews in Egypt -- Ge 50:2,26. Time required for -- Ge 50:3. How performed by the Jews -- 2Ch 16:14; Lu 23:56; Joh 19:40. Not always practised by the Jews -- Joh 11:39. An attempt to defeat God's purpose -- Ge 3:19.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 7:9: 7:9-13 Next, Jesus provides an instance where the Pharisees’ traditions contradicted God’s law and allowed them to sidestep its requirements.”
- Hosea (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hosea 7:13: fled--as birds from their nest (Pro 27:8; Isa 16:2). me--who both could and would have healed them (Hos 7:1), had they applied to Me. redeemed them--from Egypt and their other enemies (Mic 6:4). lies-- (Psa 78:36; Jer 3:10). Pretending to be My worshippers, when they all the while worshipped idols (Hos 7:14; Hos 12:1); also defrauding Me of the glory of their deliverance, and ascribing it and their other blessings to idols [CALVIN].”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 29:13: precept of men--instead of the precepts of God, given by His prophets; also worship external, and by rule, not heartfelt as God requires (Joh 4:24). Compare Christ's quotation of this verse from the Septuagint.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 7:13: 7:13 The result of such traditions was to cancel the word of God. • only one example among many others: It was not an isolated instance; see, e.g., Isa 1:10-20; 58:1-14.”