Well, my dear friend, I would imagine that the reasons why such differences are so commonly observed are many and varied. I believe that such variations in interpretation can range anywhere from an honest misunderstanding of a certain portion of Scripture, to a malicious design, fanned by Satan, to mislead others. As to an honest misunderstanding, I believe much depends on the person’s personal biases and what they were taught when young, the prevailing assumptions about God’s ways in a specific church (assembly) or a different culture, or perhaps simply not reading a verse in the context of the whole Bible. When reading God’s Word, we must be aware of our biases or deep-seated motives.  We must desire God’s truth, and surrender our personal notions, desires, and drives to the will of God. I have heard it said that one can prove about anything by taking Scriptural passages out of context, or by trying to fit God’s will into one’s own will. And I will say this: some misinterpretations of Scripture, regardless of the motive, to the extent that they move us away from the central teachings of the Apostles, are evil if they might lead Christians astray from the truth.

The most serious false teaching that I can think of would be a teaching that demotes Christ to being a mere mortal human rather than the Son of the living God, or which challenges the efficacy of the shedding of His precious blood in the finished work of atonement for sins at Calvary’s cross. Such teachings must be detected and opposed by the Word of God. In some cases, this could necessitate confronting the false teaching in the hopes that the person will accept the truth, or if they do not, may require assembly discipline and possible removal from fellowship. But truth is essential to the teaching of God’s Word, and you may rest assured, my dear friend, that the Bible is the true and inerrant Word of God as we read in 2 Timothy 3:15-16, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  As such, it must be that the Bible truly is our rock-solid resource for learning God’s will, for instructing others, and for correction of others where needed. And, the best way to insure that we are understanding the Scriptures properly, or in fact, to discern false teachings, is to ask of and depend upon the Holy Spirit to teach us as we read in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”  Plus, we need to prayerfully study, study, and study, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” (2 Timothy 2:15). In light of this thought, I would remind you of Acts 17:10-12, where Paul and Silas went to Berea and preached to those in the synagogue, who received the Word “with all readiness of mind”, and they searched the scriptures daily whether the things they had heard from Paul were true. In verse 12 many believed and were saved.

Going on in 2 Timothy 2:16 we learn about a practical action which will be important in keeping us on track in a world where there might be many voices telling us things differently than what the Apostles taught: “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” I believe with all my heart that if one truly wishes to know God’s mind in a matter, that we must pray and ask the Lord to help us, then study the Scriptures “with all readiness of mind.”  He will help us, I am convinced (read John 7:17 and Hebrews 4:12).  (SF)  (654.1)