If anyone says to you that a particular English word is not in the Bible, remind them that the Bible was written in Greek and Hebrew, no English words are in the Inspired Word of God.
When we translate from one language to the other we must choose the English word that best fits the meaning in the other language. Some Greek and Hebrew words mean a sentence that is difficult to convey with one English word.
An example of this is the phrase in the Old Testament; "a woman's desire will be over her husband but he will rule over her." This is the translation from Genesis 3:16.
However, in Hebrew the phrase really means; "a woman's desire will be to rule over her husband but he will rule over her." If we look more deeply into the context we see that this condition of husband and wife battling one another continually is a condition of the fall and not what should occur in a Christian marriage in which Christ has deleted the fallen state to replace it with His Love.
There are so many misunderstandings we have because of our English translations.
Unless we are seeking Christ, reading His Word and obeying what He says we will not be able to understand what He says in His Word.
Translations are often interpreted according to the culture at the time of the translation. Our Western mindset does not think like the Jewish mindset of Jesus' time.
So many things we were taught to believe were not true but the culture lives according to them.
This article is not to cause division or undermine one's faith, just the opposite. My desire is for anyone reading this will question all they have been taught, pray for understanding and then read the Bible in context as the Holy Spirit guides.
I am not a fan of "verse by verse" teaching, because context is needed to understand any verse. And, the chapter context must be interpreted in light of the entire rest of the Bible.
It is not true that God helps those who help themselves, He helps those who cannot help themselves.
It is not true that leading over someone means dominating and forcing. Leaders are to lead by love, teaching and by their own example.
It is not true that one must go to seminary to be able to teach. God said it is the Holy Spirit Who leads us into all truth.
It is not true that we should love ourselves first before we can love anyone else. God says we should deny ourselves and count others better than ourselves.
It is not true that pastors should be paid and have authority over the congregation. "Pastor" is a calling not a position or title. They are to be servants, humble and speaking truth as they love the people in the group.
It is not true that we must meet on a particular day of the week. God said we are free to choose which day and that only two or three together is considered enough to honor God and encourage one another.
There are many cultural things we have been taught about the Bible that God never commanded and yet the culture judges those who do not follow these human-mandated rules.
We are free in Christ to avoid and resist the man-made rules to follow Christ. In fact, we can more fully follow Christ when we do not adhere to the rules of men who think they are holier because they make and enforce these rules.
So, my challenge to everyone is to ponder each rule people are adhering to and pray while reading the word to see if it is a command of God.
In my personal experience, I see people following man's rules and not God's commands, thinking they are better Christians for it. When we are in bondage to man's rules we cannot be in obedience to the Commands of Christ.
Challenge and test everything while praying and reading the Word so that you will be free from ungodly prideful rules made by men who love to dominate others.
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