What does it mean to "wrest" the scriptures?
Posted: June 6th, 2010, 3:32 pm
Is the meaning of wrest to: lay aside for a long period of time?
Let's find out.
Alma 41:1
1 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing. And I perceive that thy mind has been worried also concerning this thing. But behold, I will explain it unto thee . . ..
The meaning of wrest.
To turn from truth; to twist from its natural or proper use or meaning by violence; to pervert; to distort.
Another example is in 2 Peter 3:16
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Here is one way the scriptures can be wrested.
1 Cor 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
How often does someone exclaim, "I've read this passage a hundred times and I just got what it means"? This is the spirit working in them, right?
Someone else can say, "I've read that part lots of times, and it sure doesn't say what you say it does."
Here is a good example: Moroni 10:32,33
32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
Does this not say we can become holy, without spot, and perfect in Christ? While in partnership with Christ, as we repent often and strive to keep His commandments, He in turn extracts our sins unto Himself which makes us perfect in Him. It's like when one holds a nail covered with pure honey and iron filings are being whisked passed it and clinging to a magnet. The nail remains clean.
With Christ at our side we can be deemed perfect . . . in Him.
There are those who contend that we cannot be perfect in this life. This is true if we disregard and don't apply the Atonement of Christ.
The scriptures are of no use to us if we wrest them.
How many have read, Believing Christ" written by Stephen E Robinson. He explains this in more detail. He has had articles in the Ensign as well. http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?v ... dByAuthor=
Let's find out.
Alma 41:1
1 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing. And I perceive that thy mind has been worried also concerning this thing. But behold, I will explain it unto thee . . ..
The meaning of wrest.
To turn from truth; to twist from its natural or proper use or meaning by violence; to pervert; to distort.
Another example is in 2 Peter 3:16
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Here is one way the scriptures can be wrested.
1 Cor 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
How often does someone exclaim, "I've read this passage a hundred times and I just got what it means"? This is the spirit working in them, right?
Someone else can say, "I've read that part lots of times, and it sure doesn't say what you say it does."
Here is a good example: Moroni 10:32,33
32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
Does this not say we can become holy, without spot, and perfect in Christ? While in partnership with Christ, as we repent often and strive to keep His commandments, He in turn extracts our sins unto Himself which makes us perfect in Him. It's like when one holds a nail covered with pure honey and iron filings are being whisked passed it and clinging to a magnet. The nail remains clean.
With Christ at our side we can be deemed perfect . . . in Him.
There are those who contend that we cannot be perfect in this life. This is true if we disregard and don't apply the Atonement of Christ.
The scriptures are of no use to us if we wrest them.
How many have read, Believing Christ" written by Stephen E Robinson. He explains this in more detail. He has had articles in the Ensign as well. http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?v ... dByAuthor=