Abusing and Misquoting God - Matthew 1-2

Have you ever had someone misquote you and try to use your own words, falsely against you? This past week I had someone confront me about an email I sent their boss claiming that in the email I made a statement that said they were not a loyal staff member (of course in telling me this they admitted they read someone's confidential emails). Later we discovered that they had mis-read the email and had egg on their face as a result. People often get misquoted or their words are often used for ill gotten motives. Think about how people misuse God's Word. People read it for wrong motives; misquote it for ill gain; and twist it for personal profit. Although unbelievers deny the entire truth of God's Word they still can use it and abuse it. Not always, however, for Godly purposes. In Matthew 2:4-7 we see that King Herod called wise men and scribes to discover where the Messiah was to be born (according to the Scripture). Herod used the Scriptures to find Jesus and then slew countless baby boys in Bethlehem in hopes of killing Jesus. Unbelievers can and do quote and follow Scripture for their own means. The Devil himself quoted Scripture to Jesus in the great temptation. We should not be surprised at how unbelievers use the Word. We should, however, make sure we don't fall into the same traps using the Word to our own advantage. We need to be careful to study God's Word and use it within the context of what God intended. The Scripture is Truth but it is Truth subject to the twisted and perverse interpretation and use of man. Honor His Word and use it to know Him not promote, defend, or satisfy self. Don't use God's Word to hurt God's plans.