Misused Biblical Examples in Defense of Sinful Behavior
Misusing Biblical Examples to Justify Sinful Behavior
The Bible contains numerous accounts of individuals who engaged in sinful behavior, sometimes with severe consequences. Some have misused these examples to justify or downplay their own sinful actions. However, this approach neglects the biblical context and the warnings against such behavior.
The biblical narrative presents cases of individuals who succumbed to sin, such as Amnon's rape of his sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-22) [10]. While these accounts are part of the biblical record, they are not presented as examples to be emulated. Instead, they serve as cautionary tales, highlighting the consequences of sinful behavior.
In fact, the Bible explicitly warns against following the examples of the wicked. Psalm 58:3 notes that the wicked indulge their sinful nature from birth, whereas the righteous fight against it [7]. The Psalmist also describes the wicked as conceiving mischief and bringing forth falsehood (Psalm 7:14) [2].
The apostle John emphasizes that those who commit sin are of the devil, in contrast to those who do righteousness (1 John 3:8) [8]. This distinction underscores the importance of avoiding sinful behavior and instead striving for righteousness.
Some biblical examples are often misused to justify sinful behavior. For instance, the Israelites' indulgence in gluttony and idolatry (Numbers 11:4; Psalm 78:18) is not presented as a positive example [3]. Rather, it serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked desires.
The biblical text also highlights the consequences of sinful behavior. Revelation 22:11 states, "He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still" [1]. This verse is not an endorsement of sinful behavior but rather a declaration of the consequences of persisting in sin.
In interpreting biblical examples, it is essential to consider the context and the overall message of Scripture. The Bible warns against using flattery, swearing falsely, and engaging in strife, among other sinful behaviors [5, 4, 6]. These warnings are accompanied by exhortations to live righteously and to avoid the examples of the wicked.
Calvin's commentary on Genesis notes that the corruption of human nature is a result of human fault, not God's creation [9]. This understanding is crucial in avoiding the misuse of biblical examples to justify sinful behavior.
Ultimately, the biblical text presents a nuanced view of human behavior, highlighting both the consequences of sin and the importance of striving for righteousness. By understanding the context and message of Scripture, readers can avoid misusing biblical examples to justify sinful behavior.
The biblical warnings against sinful behavior are clear, and the consequences of persisting in sin are dire. As such, it is crucial to approach biblical examples with a nuanced understanding, recognizing both the historical context and the overall message of Scripture.
Sources
- Revelation “He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.” -- Revelation 22:11”
- Psalms “Behold, he travails with iniquity. Yes, he has conceived mischief, and brought out falsehood. -- Psalms 7:14”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gluttony — Christ was falsely accused of -- Mt 11:19. The wicked addicted to -- Php 3:19; Jude 1:12. Leads to Carnal security. -- Isa 22:13; 1Co 15:32; Lu 12:19. Poverty. -- Pr 23:21. Of princes, ruinous to their people -- Ec 10:16,17. Is inconsistent in saints -- 1Pe 4:3. Caution against -- Pr 23:2,3; Lu 21:34; Ro 13:13,14. Pray against temptations to -- Ps 141:4. Punishment of -- Nu 11:33,34; Ps 78:31; De 21:21; Am 6:4,7. Danger of, illustrated -- Lu 12:45,46. Exemplified Esau. -- Ge 25:30-34; Heb 12:16,17. Israel. -- Nu 11:4; Ps 78:18. Sons of Eli. -- 1Sa 2:12-17.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Swearing Falsely — Forbidden -- Le 19:12; Nu 30:2; Mt 5:33. Hateful to God -- Zec 8:17. We should not love -- Zec 8:17. Fraud often leads to -- Le 6:2,3. Saints abstain from -- Jos 9:20; Ps 15:4. Blessedness of abstaining from -- Ps 24:4,5. The wicked Addicted to. -- Jer 5:2; Ho 10:4. Plead excuses for. -- Jer 7:9,10. Shall be judged on account of. -- Mal 3:5. Shall be cut off for. -- Zec 5:3. Shall have a curse upon their houses for. -- Zec 5:4. False witnesses guilty of -- De 19:16,18. Exemplified Saul. -- 1Sa 19:6,10. Shimei. -- 1Ki 2:41-43. Jews. -- Eze 16:59. Ze”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 7.7: corruption of human nature; to teach us that Adam was not created to those multiplied miseries under which all his posterity suffer, but that he fell into them by his own fault. In reflecting on the number and nature of those evils to which they are obnoxious, men will often be unable to restrain themselves from raging and murmuring against God, whom they rashly censure for the just punishment of their sin. These are their well-known complaints that God has acted more mercifully to swine and dogs than to them. Whence is this, but t”
- 2 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 13:1: We have here a particular account of the abominable wickedness of Amnon in ravishing his sister, a subject not fit to be enlarged upon nor indeed to be mentioned without blushing, that ever any man should be so vile, especially that a son of David should be so. Amnon's character, we have reason to think, was bad in other things; if he had not forsaken God, he would never have been given up to these vile affections. Godly parents have often been afflicted with wicked children; grace does not run in the blood, but corruption does. We do not find that David's child”