Why is there confusion about the Bible and what it teaches?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

There are many reasons why there can be confusion regarding the teachings of the Bible. Sometimes, there is confusion because a passage is difficult to understand. For example, a cultural practice or particular word can be misunderstood, and that causes a person to misinterpret the entire passage. There is also a spiritual element that seeks to oppose proper understanding of the Bible. Confusion about the Bible can also be caused by false teaching or false teachers. Another reason for confusion regarding the teachings of the Bible is lack of study. In attempts to make church more comfortable, some churches focus mostly on topical issues that do very little to help listeners learn what the Bible says. Some individual Christians also rely on other sources, rather than faithfully studying Scripture themselves to better understand the Bible's teachings. However, the Bible applauds those who act like the Bereans, who "received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Second Timothy 2:15 also teaches, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Proverbs emphasizes that ignoring wisdom leads to misunderstanding; Proverbs 1:22 states that those who reject wisdom will face destruction.
• The prophets highlight confusion stemming from idolatry and disobedience, as seen in Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
• Deuteronomy 30:19–20 urges the Israelites to choose life by following God's commandments, indicating that confusion arises when people disregard His teachings.
• Ecclesiastes reflects on the futility of worldly pursuits, suggesting that true understanding comes from recognizing God’s sovereignty, not man’s interpretations and knowledge.
• Psalms stresses the importance of God’s guidance, as seen in Psalm 119:105, which describes His Word as a light to our path.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Second Corinthians 11:14–15 teaches, "even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." Satan tries to keep people from understanding the Bible and its truths.
• Ephesians 6:12 adds, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." This verse reminds us that there are spiritual powers that war against us, including in understanding and applying God’s Word.
• Confusion about the Bible can be caused by false teaching or false teachers. For example, in Acts 15, the early church leaders gathered together due to confusion among the churches. This confusion was the result of false teaching that said converts to Christianity had to obey all of the requirements of the Jewish Law, including circumcision.
• The Bible encourages us to act like the Bereans, who "received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" (Acts 17:11).
• Second Timothy 2:15 also teaches us to know God’s Word, so there is no confusion on what it says and how to apply it: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Confusion about the Bible often stems from a lack of study, the influence of false teachings, and misinterpretation of difficult passages. To navigate this confusion, we must seek to understand God's Word through diligent study and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We can reflect on our current approach to Scripture: Are we engaging deeply with the text, or are we relying solely on others' interpretations? By being like the Bereans—who eagerly examined the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11)—we can build a firm foundation of knowledge that helps us discern truth from falsehood. In today's world, where misinformation about biblical teachings is rampant, we can find assurance and clarity by grounding ourselves in Scripture (which will help us know God better and understand how He calls us to live), actively seeking God's wisdom, and contributing to a community that values sound teaching and mutual encouragement.

UNDERSTAND

• Cultural differences between when the Bible was written and today can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of biblical teachings.
• False teachers distort biblical truths, causing confusion about Scripture.
• Insufficient personal study and reliance on superficial teachings also leads to confusion about the Bible and what it teaches.

REFLECT

• How have you encountered confusion about biblical teachings, and how did you address that confusion?
• What do you allow to influence the study of the Bible when it comes to understanding Scripture?
• How do you personally engage with Scripture to ensure you have a correct understanding of its teachings?

ENGAGE

• False teaching often causes confusion among those who sincerely desire to know what the Bible teaches. For example, some people teach that God promises financial prosperity to those who are faithful to the Lord. While God does teach it is more blessed to give than to receive, the Bible does not teach "giving to get." Instead, it speaks of storing up treasures in heaven, as well as the reality of suffering in this life for doing good. The modern teaching of prosperity theology is not a belief that accurately reflects the teachings of the Bible.
• What specific examples in the Bible can we identify where cultural differences might lead to misunderstandings, and how can we best understand what God’s Word is saying?
• How can we discern between sound teaching and false teaching in today's diverse theological landscape?