Perception...What's True?

[stormy612]

Am I the only Christian who wonders where to stand to get the most accurate picture of truth?

Earlier today I was listening to a podcast of a local church. The minister quoted Matthew 13:31,32- "Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field. Which indeed is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." KJV

His interpretation started out like Jesus', but he went on to say that once the seed becomes the great tree, it attracts the demons which are the birds referred to in the verse.

I was shocked. My interpretation of this verses was so far from his, I honestly thought this guy was nuts.

This was MY interpretation: We are all given a small seed of faith, which will grow into something so great that the tree becomes a source of comfort (shade for the birds, nesting site for the birds). The birds in my interpretation were people. I lived by this interpretation believing that one day I would grow into someone that would provide such comfort. I was happy knowing that God would use my like that one day.

So here today, some thirteen years later, I discover (through the interpretation of the KJV Study Bible) that this minister was correct. I'm pretty certain the word used, either Greek, Latin or Aramaic, means demons or something like that, so I'm wrong and have believed something wrong all these years. It is very likely that I even taught my interpretation to someone else, which means that someone out there, thanks to me, now has the wrong interpretation of something Jesus said. When I say my interpretation, I mean, it is what popped into my head the first time I read it and everytime there since. I just assumed the Holy Spirit was interpreting the verse for me.

I got it wrong! Why would the Holy Spirit let me spread such a lie? And since I now know I got that one wrong, I am VERY certain I've gotten everything else wrong. For thirteen years I've been telling people the wrong thing! God doesn't look kindly on that. But there are also false preachers- people who've gone to bible college and have become ordained and know the language and the words used. How do they get it wrong? Preachers, after all, disagree with each other a lot, hence the multitude of denominations.

So, with me being wrong, and ordained, college trained ministers being wrong, and the Holy Spirit being the interpreter and He's NEVER WRONG-how do I know when I am really speaking truth if I truly believed I was? I had no idea I could even be wrong because I believed firmly that the Holy Spirit interpreted that verse for me.

I hate that I hurt someone. I never intended to but I did. You just don't mess with God's word. So now I'm here questioning EVERYTHING I've ever believed was true. I've got to start all over again (regreting everything I've ever taught anyone!), but I can't go to college and learn all that stuff. I simply don't want to open my mouth again! How am I ever to know when I am really standing on truth? How am I to have any confidence in anything I interpret if I can proven so very wrong after 13 years! How does anyone have any confidence at all with something as precious as God's word?

[cosmic]

Am I the only Christian who wonders where to stand to get the most accurate picture of truth?

Earlier today I was listening to a podcast of a local church. The minister quoted Matthew 13:31,32- "Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field. Which indeed is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." KJV

His interpretation started out like Jesus', but he went on to say that once the seed becomes the great tree, it attracts the demons which are the birds referred to in the verse.

I was shocked. My interpretation of this verses was so far from his, I honestly thought this guy was nuts.

This was MY interpretation: We are all given a small seed of faith, which will grow into something so great that the tree becomes a source of comfort (shade for the birds, nesting site for the birds). The birds in my interpretation were people. I lived by this interpretation believing that one day I would grow into someone that would provide such comfort. I was happy knowing that God would use my like that one day.

So here today, some thirteen years later, I discover (through the interpretation of the KJV Study Bible) that this minister was correct. I'm pretty certain the word used, either Greek, Latin or Aramaic, means demons or something like that, so I'm wrong and have believed something wrong all these years. It is very likely that I even taught my interpretation to someone else, which means that someone out there, thanks to me, now has the wrong interpretation of something Jesus said. When I say my interpretation, I mean, it is what popped into my head the first time I read it and everytime there since. I just assumed the Holy Spirit was interpreting the verse for me.

I got it wrong! Why would the Holy Spirit let me spread such a lie? And since I now know I got that one wrong, I am VERY certain I've gotten everything else wrong. For thirteen years I've been telling people the wrong thing! God doesn't look kindly on that. But there are also false preachers- people who've gone to bible college and have become ordained and know the language and the words used. How do they get it wrong? Preachers, after all, disagree with each other a lot, hence the multitude of denominations.

So, with me being wrong, and ordained, college trained ministers being wrong, and the Holy Spirit being the interpreter and He's NEVER WRONG-how do I know when I am really speaking truth if I truly believed I was? I had no idea I could even be wrong because I believed firmly that the Holy Spirit interpreted that verse for me.

I hate that I hurt someone. I never intended to but I did. You just don't mess with God's word. So now I'm here questioning EVERYTHING I've ever believed was true. I've got to start all over again (regreting everything I've ever taught anyone!), but I can't go to college and learn all that stuff. I simply don't want to open my mouth again! How am I ever to know when I am really standing on truth? How am I to have any confidence in anything I interpret if I can proven so very wrong after 13 years! How does anyone have any confidence at all with something as precious as God's word?

[Guest man]

You're throwing 13 years out the window because of what someone said on the radio?

You might want to give that parable another thought.

[cosmic]

i to don't believe the same things i did twenty years ago, but it is because my relationship with my God and Savior as grown as i search his word, as we submit to His authority he reveals more and more truth, amen?

[Guest man]

The Lord searches the heart.....not the brain.

If it was the other way around, alot of us would be in trouble.

[wyguy]

Stormy, we are all growing from milk to meat. It's called sanctification, and it's a life long process. When you feel like you don't understand something correctly, just remember Peter. Paul had to rebuke Peter to his face for forcing Gentiles to follow Jewish customs. (Galatians 2:11-21). Peter, an apostle, had been wrong in his thinking.

So, don't feel bad - you're in good company.

[stormy612]

If my mistake was based solely on the Holy Spirit helping me to understand His word my personal life, I wouldn't feel this way. I've had many many many moments with God helping me to understand things, showing me things, and teaching me. He has taken me from the most basic understanding of scripture to deeper understandings of the same verses, only to bring me back to His original interpretation, which has now come full circle. Some things I read and cannot comprehend until I've gone through something and then the Holy Spirit interprets and now I can understand. I do grow with God. That isn't my question.

The word for "birds"-meaning demons-isn't open to intepretation or experience or growth. This is a fact. It either means demons or it doesn't. I got it wrong and I wasn't aware of my error so I never knew I needed correction. My concern is how many other 'facts' I've gotten wrong over the years that has had a major impact on my understanding of scripture, which affects my faith and thus my actions. I really hate the idea of my going off in a direction based on wrong information. It wastes God's time, and other people get hurt through me.

I was happy when I thought that the birds meant people. I was happy when I believed that I would one day become a great tree designed to bring comfort to others. You'd have to know me to know how much that meant to me. I'm happy I have the truth and now I feel better prepared for what happens when you do grow 'bigger' as the mustard seed does, but I wish I had known it thirteen years ago.

But now I'm not real comfortable with the idea of speaking God's word to anyone for fear of getting it wrong, not having the Holy Spirit convict me, and someone getting the wrong idea and then doing something wrong or going in the wrong direction. I am accountable to God for everything that comes out of my mouth.

I can't throw 13 years worth of a relationship with God out but I really have to wonder at what I've really been up to for the last 13 years-how much of what I've believed to be true is actually true? If I could go to bible college, how far off the true path would I suddenly find myself? I thought I was already on it.

Am I the only person who worries about preaching or teaching the wrong thing to people? God makes it very clear how He feels about false teachers!

[stormy612]

Stormy, we are all growing from milk to meat. It's called sanctification, and it's a life long process. When you feel like you don't understand something correctly, just remember Peter. Paul had to rebuke Peter to his face for forcing Gentiles to follow Jewish customs. (Galatians 2:11-21). Peter, an apostle, had been wrong in his thinking.

So, don't feel bad - you're in good company.

Thanks. I really hate screwing up. I hate that Peter screwed up. He did that alot didn't he?

[wyguy]

Stormy, we are all growing from milk to meat. It's called sanctification, and it's a life long process. When you feel like you don't understand something correctly, just remember Peter. Paul had to rebuke Peter to his face for forcing Gentiles to follow Jewish customs. (Galatians 2:11-21). Peter, an apostle, had been wrong in his thinking.

So, don't feel bad - you're in good company.

Thanks. I really hate screwing up. I hate that Peter screwed up. He did that alot didn't he?

Yep. Old Pete had a penchant for putting his foot in his mouth.

[Guest man]

The word for "birds"-meaning demons-isn't open to intepretation or experience or growth. This is a fact.

Where is that etched in stone?

Matthew 13

31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: