Twisted Scripture: How memorizing the Word in context maintains its integrity.

Over the past Christmas season I kept hearing the phrase, “Peace on earth and goodwill toward men,” and it annoyed me.  Much in the same way as the phrase, “Money is the root of all evil,” makes the hair on my neck stand up.  This physical reaction to simple, if not common, phrasing is that they are based on Sacred Scripture, yet twisted out of context. When Sacred Scripture is modified in this way, it hides the truth.  It is the same principle, when even quoted word for word, it is misused.   

The correct phrasing of the first example is, “Peace on earth, toward men of goodwill.”  The Gloria in our liturgy is directly based on Sacred Scripture (Luke 2:14). The peace that the angels speak of is not universally applied to all men everywhere, but is directed toward those in whom God is well pleased.  In the second example, the correct phrase is, “The love of money is the root of all evil.”  By excluding the first part, (the love of) the phrase has lost its meaning.  For it is the love of, that is to say “greed’ that is the root of all evil. Money is no more the root of evil than a clamshell!  However subtle these changes are, they significantly alter the truth of God’s word.  

Other than God, the devil probably knows scripture better than any of us.  Like a prepared debater knows their opponents arguments, the devil knows God’s truth and uses it against him.  Called by God the “father of lies,” the devil is able to twist the truth so subtly that it still maintains the appearance of truth, yet is false.  He casts doubt on the Word.  In the garden of Eden he cast doubt in Eve’s mind saying, “Yea, has God really said…?”  In other words, are you sure you heard him correctly, because I have another take on what God really meant. In fact, so certain was the devil in his knowledge of scripture that he attempted to use it against the Incarnate Word himself! 

During the forty days of fasting in the wilderness, when Jesus would have been weakened physically through hunger, how did the devil tempt him?  He began, as with Eve, by first casting doubt, saying, “If you are the Son of God…,” and then following up with “turn these stones into bread.”  What did Jesus do?  He rebuffed him with scripture. Yet again, the devil tried to use scripture against Jesus as they sat on the peak of the Temple (200 feet off the ground). This time he said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump off this roof!  For it is written, God has charged angels with protecting you – they will catch you before you can stub your toe against a stone!”  He quoted the scripture perfectly, but used it maliciously.  And once again, Jesus replied with scripture, “It is also written that you should not put the Lord your God to the test.”   

To be an effective Christian, and protected from the twists and turns of the devil, one must know the Word by heart and the correct context in which it was written. In Psalms 119:11 we read, “Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”  Now, most of us do not carry our bible around, neither are we expected to memorize the whole thing, yet Jesus encourages us to embed in our heart at least portions of his Word.  John 15:7, He said, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you,” and the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colosse, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

When I was a child, my parents required me to memorize portions of scripture; it was made into a contest, that made the task more fun.  I can never thank them enough for doing that, because there have been, since then, innumerable times when I have been able to recall a verse in a time of need.  Sacred Scripture is not just for Sunday, but every day.  It is not just for reading but for ingesting as spiritual food.  It is, as it says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

If you desire to truly embed the Word in your heart, start simple.  Some of the verses I have memorized, anyone can!  For example, you might begin with Proverbs 3:5-7, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t rely on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.  Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”  

The best way to immediately recognize twisted scripture, is to know it untwisted by heart.