5 Ways we feel hurt by the Bible

5 ways we feel hurt by the Bible

Whether you absolutely hate the Holy Bible or love it, you will be hurt by it. Though sometimes the pain you feel is not actually from the Bible. So hopefully this article will help you discern what the actual cause of your pain is from and whether it is good or not.

 

Bad Foundation

The comic above was made to communicate this. It demonstrates someone who displays great love for God's word, but when trials come (even as a direct result of loving God's word), their lack of foundation is revealed. What they thought they had was not the real deal.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reading the above passage you may feel strongly about it and even perscribe it to everyone you know. But what do you do when anxious? Do you really believe God will give you peace?

If you only shallowly believe God's word you may follow for a while; but sooner or later the reality of your foundation will reveal itself. And if a bad foundation, you will feel hurt. You expected following God's word to be easier but instead it is difficult and even more difficult because you don't fully rely on God.

 

Not Understanding Context

To accurately understand what the Bible is saying you have to understand the original intent. It’s all too easy to grab a single Bible verse and put your own interpretation on it.

I can do all this through him (Christ) who gives me strength.

Reading this alone it seems like common sense that it means you can do anything if you are a Christian; but that would be incorrect. Just reading one verse before this gives us a more accurate reading

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.“

With just verse 13 you could believe God can give you $1 million dollars but the passage is actually about being content, whether having $1 million dollars or $0.

Having a wrong understanding of the Bible will give you false expectations. One day those false beliefs will really hurt.

Legalistic Religion

Professing Christians may be adamant that you must do certain things. And with more care about what you do that who you are (past, present and future), it's easy to get hurt.

• Be married or single
• Worship on Sunday or Saturday
• Public school or home school
• Modern worship, hymns or psalms
• and the never ending list goes on

Now there are some things that Christians should be black and white about but there are grey areas when dealing with things that the Bible doesn't explicitly say. But whatever the topic, a spirit of kindness, patience, gentleness and love, is what all Christians should be demonstrating.

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

 

Pointing out sin

While some may focus too much on this aspect of the Bible, it is not a bad thing when done in a loving way.

If you see someone you love destroying themselves, you want to turn them away from their destructive behaviour. And that is just what the Bible does when it points out sin. It is not pointing out our sin to punish us, it is to show us we are going to die if we stay on this path.

Though as good of a thing pointing out sin is, it still hurts. And if you do not turn from your destructive habits, you may always feel hurt when the Bible points out your sin.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Following the Bible

It’s the Christians lot in life.
Even on the path leading to life, it can be a struggle to follow Christ and His Word. Yes, we have joy in Jesus to follow and obey Him willingly, but we still can feel the temptation of our sinful bodies.

We are commanded to love God, but it's tough during times when He feels far away. And we are commanded to love others, but it is a struggle when people frustrate us.

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

It may hurt for a while as you unlearn to follow your sinful nature, but if you persist you will yield a good way of life.

 

Conclusion

If you have felt hurt by the Bible, may you reconsider the actual source of your pain. Has it been hurt that is actually good and will lead to life or a hurt that wasn’t actually what God wants?

May your experience with the Bible only be temporary hurt that leads to life. Like taking bad tasting medicine that makes you better.

How have you felt hurt by the Holy Bible?