Violence to the Word

Zephaniah 3:4 (HCSB)

Her prophets are reckless—

treacherous men.

Her priests profane the sanctuary;

they do violence to instruction.

How do you “do violence to instruction”?

First the priests neglect it. God has called the priests to “speak to people for God and speak to God for the people.” The job of the priest is to teach the Word of God. If we lay aside the Word in favor of things that people want to hear—like politics, wealth management and self help techniques—we do violence to instruction… and to people. It is not that God against people being helped. But He wants them to be helped from His Word, not human wisdom.

Second, the priests distort it. They twist it to say what they want it to say. Be wary of a preacher who is always using Scripture as a “jumping off point” to talk about something else. Some preachers have a hobbyhorse they like to ride, and they can manage to get there from just about anywhere. God’s people need the plain teaching of God’s Word.

Third, they avoid it. They deliberately set aside the teaching of God’s Word in favor of celebrity speakers and concerts. They do this to in order to draw large crowds to church. This makes them look successful. God has not called us to build institutions. He was called us to build people. Only a steady diet of God’s Word will accomplish. More than ever our churches need Spirit-filled men of God who stand up and deliver a God-given message.

Fourth, they botch it. The last place you’ll ever find some men during the week is in their office studying the Word. A shrinking golf handicap and an anemic church go hand-n-hand. To skillfully handle God’s Word one must spent lots of time with it.

God give us men who will not do violence to God’s Word, but will do it the service it deserves!