The Single Verse Challenge

The issue of what I refer to as 'single verse Christianity' is becoming an alarming problem in today's church. Both Churches and members are becoming too myopic in their knowledge of the scripture. Churches, doctrines, and lifestyles are now built on just one single verse of the Bible and most times such doctrine is stretched to a very dangerous end. The temptation to do this even for the sake of argument is very high, but we must learn to always resist it.

Many Christians today don't care much about what is written from Genesis to Revelation because they have discovered one verse that seems to offer them cover for the philosophy that they want to live their life upon. With everyone claiming to be authorities in scriptures interpretation, the 'single verse mentality' is becoming a global norm and its pernicious effect is equally increasing in the body of Christ. When the devil whispers scriptures to people, he aims to exploit single verse tendencies to lure people into error.

During the temptation of Jesus, the Devil came to Jesus with the same 'single verse mentality' to lure Jesus into a deep mess but Jesus knew better. Jesus knew that he can't compromise His godly standard because of one scripture that was misquoted to him. Jesus knew that the Bible had more to say about the subject of discussion than what the Devil brought to this attention. Jesus understood that complete Bible truth is not built on just one verse. He knew that God's concept in any particular subject is summed up in multiple verses and books.

Jesus said, "It is also written,...". (Matthew 4:7). Mr. Barrister and Sis Grace, "It is also written". Sir/Ma what you're holding on to cover your unscriptural ways is not all the Bible said, something else written somewhere else also needs to be considered. It's the same God that inspired Romans, that equally inspired James. Expand your knowledge of the scripture, don't just hold on to "what is written", also find out, "What is also written". I believe that the seeming conflicts that we sometimes encounter in the scripture are God's way of calling us to have a balanced view of the Word.

Learn from Jesus, open your mind to all bible truth, and if any devil comes to you with 'single verse mentality', remind the being that something else is equally written. Remind the Devil that knows better. Remind the Devil that it is all scripture that is given by the inspiration of God and not just the verse that he wants to use to make you jump down from the cliff. Don't be in the air before you realize that jumping is never the right thing to do, challenge the Devil when you still have the opportunity to.

Develop a holistic Christian view of things and refuse to be a victim of the single verse problem.