When studying the Word of God, it's important to remember that Scripture is God breathed, not man-made.

When a particular passage makes us uneasy, we don't have the liberty to shape, fashion, or twist the words to our liking.

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall continues his series called Growing Deep in the Christian Life.

In this study, we'll be reminded that every believer has the responsibility to become his or her own Bible student,

and it's critically important to approach God's Word with extreme caution and care.

Chuck titled today's message, Handling the Scriptures Accurately.

Life has many disappointments, and perhaps there is none any greater than the feeling that you have been biblically abused.

By that I mean you feel that you have been the victim of someone's twisting Scripture, forcing it to mean something it does not mean,

and then believing it with all your heart only to discover in later times that the information was fulacious, it was erroneous, it was in fact dangerous to your spiritual health and growth.

We have seen all kinds of victims of abuse in this generation, but I don't hear much about biblical abuse.

I think, quite frankly, it's one of the major problems of the church today.

People who are abused, I think we could call it the ultimate rip-off.

The realization that the information you were given allegedly from the Bible was true, when in fact it was the result of the mishandling of Scripture.

Now this has nothing to do with sincerity, many people who mishandle the Word are very sincere.

It really has little to do with theology, some who have their theology straight, still mishandle Scripture.

It has very little to do with personality, some gifted charismatic type of teachers who can sway an audience and hold them in the palms of their hands,

mishandle Scripture has nothing to do with popularity, famous, well-known personalities who can draw large audiences can still mishandle Scripture.

So let's put to bed once for all the idea that if a person is sincere, that'll cover for the problem of mishandling Scripture, it's not true,

or if a person is well-known, or if a person has sound theology.

We can all at times slip into the problem of mishandling the Bible.

I think there are problems unique in every country.

Hours is not the availability of Scripture.

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