This blog was produced from an excerpt of the podcast first published on the WTTR mobile App on January 16th, 2024.
Take the words "precept upon precept" from the book of Isaiah. Here, we have a great example of how many haphazardly come to God's holy writ and make a mess of things.
Isaiah 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
For as long as I can remember, "Precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little" has been taught as a wonderful example of how to study and understand scripture. - But it is no such thing.
These having missed Paul's instructions to study to show thyself approved, a workman who rightly divides the word of truth, use Isaiah 28:13 as a "proof text." -Causing them to err and spread it to others.
The point that God's dear prophet Isaiah made here was one of rebuke.
If you have your Bible, notice how he starts...
"The word of the LORD was unto them" (that's important... was unto them... not me... not Isaiah... but unto them) "precept upon precept; line upon line,"
So, let's connect some dots here.
Instead of cherry-picking verse 13, how about we back up for context's sake and start with verse 9.
"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts."
It is worth noting that those Isaiah speaks to here were not weaned from the milk nor drawn from the breast. That's why the word of the Lord was "unto them, precept upon precept; line upon line, here a little, and there a little;"
Look at verse 11. For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and (what?) fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Again, precept upon precept, line upon line, is not being spoken well of here.
We've all heard some fancy-pants apologists say it is, but the scriptures do not bear that out.
Here's what we know about those who received God's word as precept upon precept, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
●They were not weaned from the milk.
●Not drawn from the breast.
●Which caused them to fall backward.
●Be "broken."
●Be "snared."
●Be "taken."
He was not speaking to full-grown, mature believers in these passages but to those who, upon hearing God's word, found that nothing made sense or connected for them. Nothing stuck. It went in one ear and out the other.
Over the many years, many sermons, Sunday School lessons, etc... the precept upon precept idea has been touted as being "A mighty fine way of studying our Bible and understanding doctrine." - This could not be further from the truth.
Some of us grew up hearing wrong teachings such as this and simply never took the time to investigate it.
For Truth Time Radio, challenging our listeners/readers to search the scriptures for themselves has been and will continue to be at the top of our priority list.
More than ever, truth twisters are coming out of the woodwork as our grace apostle warned:
Acts chapter 20: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock."
He said they will even come from within.
Of "our own selves shall these men arise." Doing what, Paul? "Speaking perverse things." Why, Paul? "To draw away disciples after them."
He warned of wolves from without that will enter in, but also of those of our own selves that will rise up speaking perverse things.
Saints, stay alert and "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise," for there are many who sound as if they know what they're talking about but are actually saying perverse things to draw you away after them.
The Scripture twisters are here among us and will only wax worse. Wax worse and increase unto more ungodliness.
When people think of ungodliness, they get the idea that it only applies to things that go on in bars and nightclubs. Things such as drinking, smoking, cussing, and that sort of thing. Unaware that they have fallen into the devil's trap by automatically making it about the things of the flesh. (Taste not, touch not, don't go here, don't go there, don't do this, don't do that)
Meanwhile, the real "ungodliness" you best be keeping a close eye on is coming out of the preacher's mouth.
Many are quick to recite, "Study to show thyself approved unto God. A workman needeth not to be ashamed." But miss the next verse. "Shun profane and vain babblings." For they'll what?
What, Paul? "They will increase unto more ungodliness."
So the focus of this "ungodliness" is profane and vain babblings. These babblers who babble words and false doctrines. That's what will increase unto more ungodliness.
What is doctrine made of? Words. Ungodly words just may be in your favorite preacher's mouth, so you should test him. Be like those of Berea, have your Bible open, and make sure that he's not manipulating the word and trying to fill in the blanks with his own ungodly philosophy.
A piece of advice; Never build your knowledge off assumptions.
If the verse does not clearly state it, don't allow someone to finagle and twist it until it does.
●Don't go into the Garden of Eden and add an apple where it doesn't belong.
●Don't make angels women.
●Don't give them wings.
●Don't make them chubby babies.
●Don't change Jesus the Son into Jesus the Father.
Leave your imagination at the door.
Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure. He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Grace and Peace.
Hear the podcast in its entirety here:
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