3:162 Peter 3:16

Peter affirms that Paul wrote by wisdom given him of the Holy Spirit about the Lord's coming and the new heavens and new earth, and his epistles stand as Scripture with the other Scriptures.Lt 222, 1906, par. 8–9+2 Some things in them are hard to be understood, as are other parts of the Sacred Record concerning the providences of God and the mysteries of grace that finite minds cannot fully grasp.Lt 222, 1906, par. 8–9+2 The unlearned and unstable twist these hard passages from their true meaning to support their own theories and aims, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction and the ruin of souls led by them.Lt 222, 1906, par. 8–9+4 These difficulties are not proof against the Bible but strong evidence of its divine origin, for if it revealed only what finite minds could easily comprehend it would not bear the marks of divine authority, and God leaves occasion for doubt so that faith must be exercised.SC 107.1+3 Safety is found only in humble, prayerful study under the Holy Spirit, receiving the whole Word as it reads and standing firm on its plain revealed truth as the unerring rule and lamp to eternal life.Ms 132, 1898, par. 2–4+4

Paul writes with wisdom given to him about the same matters Peter has been discussing, including the Lord's coming and the hope of a new heavens and a new earth.Lt 222, 1906, par. 8–9+2 His letters were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and stand as Scripture alongside the other Scriptures.Ms 40, 1887, par. 2+2 Some things in his letters are hard to be understood, and not every portion of the Sacred Record can be understood.Lt 222, 1906, par. 8–9+4 This includes all that perplexes in the providences of God, the mysteries of grace, and trying experiences where finite minds see only confusion and broken promises.SG4 279.1 The existence of difficult passages does not make the plain truths of Scripture uncertain, for some matters remain beyond human understanding until God chooses to make them clear.SG4 279.1

Those who wrest are the unlearned and unstable who lack understanding and stability, twisting hard passages as they do the other Scriptures unto their own destruction.Lt 222, 1906, par. 8–9+4 This twisting to support their own views is done by those who assemble Bible texts to make them appear to prove theories already held, and by opponents who misinterpret Scripture and falsify spoken words so that fair discussion becomes fruitless.Lt 49, 1894, par. 5–6+1 The unstable are those who seem to others to have made thorough repentance of rebellion yet keep its seeds within.Ms 2, 1858, par. 3–4+1 Their inward state is known by God who reads the heart, and it is written against their names.Ms 2, 1858, par. 3–4+1

The chapter describes people who caused trouble in the early church, and the same kind of conditions arise again so God's people must be on guard.Lt 48, 1910, par. 13–15 The verse prophesies the abominations, crimes and wickedness that would prevail in the world during the last days.Lt 220, 1903, par. 46–48 Fulfillment of that prophecy in the state of the world calls true Christians to lives of humility and prayer.Lt 220, 1903, par. 46–48

The hard passages that skeptics turn into an argument against the Bible do not disprove it but are strong evidence of its divine inspiration.SC 107.1+1 If it gave only an account of God easily comprehended, if finite minds could grasp His greatness and majesty, it would not bear the unmistakable marks of divine authority.SC 107.1+1 The very grandeur and mystery of its themes should inspire faith that it is the Word of God.SC 107.1+1

God gives sufficient evidence of truth to enable acceptance of it understandingly, and all who study with a teachable spirit may learn from it the way of salvation.Ms 40, 1887, par. 2+1 Yet not every portion of the Sacred Record can be understood, for He does not remove all occasion for doubt and unbelief.Ms 40, 1887, par. 2+1 Occasion remains because faith must still be exercised rather than walking by sight.Ms 40, 1887, par. 2+1

Whatever is clearly established by the Word is to be accepted without attempting to meet every doubt Satan suggests.Ms 40, 1887, par. 2+1 It is to be accepted without using finite understanding to fathom the counsels of the Infinite One.Ms 40, 1887, par. 2+1 It is to be accepted without criticizing the manifestation of His grace or the exercise of His power.Ms 40, 1887, par. 2+1

Difficulty does not make Scripture an unreliable or unintelligible revelation, nor does it make its plain practical truths about salvation uncertain or mysterious.Ms 13, 1888, par. 13–19+2 What concerns human salvation is plainly revealed, and when God's appointed time comes to test the world with present truth the Spirit leads prayerful searchers until connected teachings become clear so none need err or remain in darkness about salvation.Ms 13, 1888, par. 13–19+1 Some matters remain beyond human understanding until God chooses to make them clear.SG4 279.1 Unanswerable questions do not discredit Christianity but may reflect lack of information, since even a child may ask what the most learned cannot answer.Ms 37, 1889, par. 9

Difficulty is allowed so that in searching its pages man will not become lifted up in pride and self-sufficiency.5T 533.4+1 No one understands every phase of truth, so no one should flatter himself to have correct understanding of certain portions and force everybody else to understand it just as he does.5T 533.4+1 Intellectual pride and every species of spiritual pride about understanding must be banished, for hard passages are a safeguard against such pride, not a reason for self-sufficiency.5T 533.4+1

Hard things will find explanation in the world to come, including all that perplexes in the providences of God, the mysteries of grace, and trying experiences where finite minds see only confusion and broken promises.CET 235.1 There they will be made plain, mysteries will unfold, and the most perfect and beautiful harmony will be seen.CET 235.1 It will then be known that infinite love ordered the trying experiences, and the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for good will be realized with rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory.CET 235.1 Homes are prepared for earth's pilgrims, with robes, crowns of glory and palms of victory for the righteous.CET 235.1

Limited human beings need the Spirit of God to enlighten them to understand Scripture, for some things in it are difficult to understand without making it an unreliable or unintelligible revelation.Ms 13, 1888, par. 13–19+2 The Holy Spirit helps people recognize the importance of truths that are easy to understand and prevents them from distorting truths that are difficult to comprehend, while angels prepare the heart to understand the word, and prayer helps the tempted remember promises and answer Satan with Scripture.HSP 19.5+1 Without the Spirit's guidance, reverence, prayer, and thoughts and desires in harmony with God, even learned readers are liable to misunderstand and misread, strengthening skepticism, treating plain truths as grounds for doubt, and accepting false interpretations suggested by the enemy.SC 110.1+1 The warning is against twisting and misinterpreting Scripture, especially by those lacking spiritual understanding and stability, with destruction as the result.SC 110.1+2

Earnest, humble searching and prayer for wisdom remove difficulties, and the Holy Spirit makes hard passages plain, for the danger lies in the character and approach of those who study.Ms 132, 1898, par. 2–4+1 Correct understanding requires humility and willingness to be corrected by Scripture, with prayer for the Holy Spirit to guide the mind and prevent distorting Scripture to uphold a favored theory or personal ideas.Ms 132, 1898, par. 2–4+1 Difficult passages do not make vital practical truths about salvation mysterious, for when God's appointed time comes to test the world with present truth, the Spirit leads searchers with prayer until connected teachings become clear, so none need err or remain in darkness about what concerns salvation.Ms 132, 1898, par. 2–4+1

Scripture must be studied as a whole, without cutting it out or mutilating it, and no one is authorized to decide which parts of God's Word are inspired or to rank some portions as more inspired than others.Ms 132, 1898, par. 2–4+1 The whole Bible should be given to the people just as it reads, received simply as it reads and put into life, which enables people to distinguish what is true from what is false and to draw from its riches to strengthen themselves and others.Ms 13, 1888, par. 13–19+3 Studying without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit wrests Scripture from its true meaning, and this happens to the plainest and simplest passages as well as the most difficult ones, including selecting such portions as best serve a purpose, interpreting them to suit self, and presenting these while denying people the privilege of studying and understanding its sacred truths for themselves.GC 521.2 What concerns human salvation is plainly revealed, and the verse warns against presenting falsehoods and fables as essential teaching instead of accepting God's word as it reads.Ms 13, 1888, par. 13–19+1

Readers must lay aside ideas and every prejudice at the door of investigation, coming with humble subdued heart with self hid in Christ and earnest prayer seeking wisdom from God, desiring above all to know the revealed will and ways of the Lord because personal eternal welfare depends on it.STE 198.1+1 Bringing personal ideas to the Bible, making opinions the center around which truth must revolve, and searching for texts to prove theories already held or to make Scripture appear to prove them twists Scripture to personal destruction, spreads error, and diverts attention from essential present truth.STE 198.1+2 Many study not to see and live the truth but to prove their own ideas correct, changing the meaning of God's Word to suit their own opinions and making it conform to preconceived ideas by quoting half a sentence and leaving out the other half which would show the reasoning false, and the same wresting is done with testimonies God sends.2MR 152.1+1 Cherished opinions and customs must be tested by Scripture rather than twisting Scripture to fit prior beliefs and errors, for people who lack understanding and are unstable distort even difficult passages to support their own views to their own destruction.Lt 49, 1894, par. 5–6+2

It is every person's privilege and duty to search the Word diligently, to read and understand it for themselves and to bring it into practical everyday life, though large numbers twist and misuse it while it still stands as a faithful witness speaking truth to everyone.Lt 145, 1896, par. 12 Those who find its precious truths of the grace of Christ are blessed in holding forth the Word of life to others, receiving light in order to give light.Lt 145, 1896, par. 12

Religious teachers must search the Word for evidence, humble themselves, and be willing to receive light rather than make clear statements mysterious through false explanations, for people can twist Scripture by misinterpreting and misapplying it, even giving it the opposite meaning from the truth, bringing destruction on themselves and others.Lt 55, 1900, par. 16–17 In debate over the Sabbath and when seeing Scriptures twisted and false claims presented as truth, those defending truth must still handle Scripture with reverence and a Christlike spirit, presenting truth as it is in Jesus with self-control, patience, gentleness, and Christ's gentleness rather than with cruelty, uncontrolled anger, retaliation, or an irritable manner that weakens sound arguments.Lt 113, 1894, par. 7–9+2 Zeal for truth must be guided by the Holy Spirit so it does not become impatience.Lt 9a, 1894, par. 4–5+1

Only such portions as hearers can grasp and appropriate should be presented, for truth should be given in portions they can understand and receive.6T 56.4–57.3+2 Receiving more teaching than they can understand leads some to misrepresent what they heard, wrest the Scriptures, confuse other minds, or go away never to return, and honestly ignorant yet interested persons drawn by Christ will wrest the Scriptures to the confusion of others if new truths are presented in so large a measure that they cannot grasp them.6T 56.4–57.3+2 Wresting includes misquoting the Bible to confuse people unfamiliar with the Word, as other ministers do on the tracks of evangelistic work when those interested are left unvisited, so that new believers who trust their ministers as true and unprejudiced men give up their convictions.Lt 18, 1898, par. 17–18 The safeguard is house-to-house personal labor that visits those interested, explains the Word of truth more fully, watches for souls as those that must give an account, and reveals truth in contrast to error, so they become established instead of being lost, for unless camp meetings are so followed many will be led away by nominal ministers who in a most deceiving manner misinterpret, misapply, and wrest the Scriptures to confuse interested minds and by false doctrines to their own destruction.Lt 18, 1898, par. 17–18+2

Wresting means twisting Scripture from its true meaning to support a favorite theory, preconceived opinion or personal aim rather than to understand and obey it.GC 520.3+3 Vague and fanciful interpretations and the many conflicting theories concerning religious faith are Satan's work to confuse minds so they shall not discern the truth.GC 520.3+1 Instead of carefully studying with humility of heart to obtain a knowledge of His will, wresters seek only to discover something odd or original.GC 520.3+1

It is done whenever study is without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, and this happens to the plainest and simplest passages as well as the most difficult ones.GC 521.2+1 The method is to select such portions as best serve a purpose, interpret them to suit self, and present these to the people while denying them the privilege of studying and understanding its sacred truths for themselves.GC 521.2 Twisting is not limited to difficult passages but is a means by which spiritual deceivers turn truth into a lie, disguising impurity and sin as holiness.Ms 9, 1880, par. 47–54

Common methods are taking a text from its true bearing, connection and setting and misquoting it to confuse those unfamiliar with the Word.4SP 343.2–344.1+2 Isolated texts are joined to support preconceived opinions, making apparent Bible proof that is no proof, magnifying error while diminishing truth.Ms 175, 1901, par. 7+1 Quoting is done by leaving out half a sentence that would show the reasoning false, by selecting and arranging words to apply where they do not belong, and by quoting words to give falsehood the appearance of truth, stealing the garments of truth to hide heresy.2MR 152.1+2 Quoting the Bible in this way does not prove an interpretation or message true, and misapplied Scripture can be used to denounce people and falsely claim God's authority.Ms 21, 1901, par. 4–6 Other ministers do this on the tracks of evangelistic work when those interested are left unvisited, and because new believers trust their ministers as true and unprejudiced men they give up their convictions.Lt 18, 1898, par. 17–18

To wrest is to handle Scripture unfairly to make one's own point in debate.9MR 218.2–220.2+3 It comes from educating oneself as a debater until a combative, defiant, hard, criticizing spirit becomes habitual when crossed or opposed.9MR 218.2–220.2+2 In combating an opponent such handling does harm with few or little good results and unfits men to care for God's people as pastors of the sheep and lambs.9MR 218.2–220.2+2 The same twisting can be done with spoken counsel, distorting words to support one's own views and harm others.Ms 24, 1889, par. 12–15

Wresting includes interpreting Scripture to teach the maxims and traditions of men for the commandments of God, as the Pharisees did, without a Thus saith the Lord for authority.FE 309.1 The Jews having the Scriptures which testified of Christ yet not being able to discern Christ in them is the example of this wrestling.FE 309.1 Teachers who misinterpret and misapply God's Word, teaching human commandments as doctrine, place stumbling blocks before others in ignorance of Scripture and of God's power.Ms 33, 1900, par. 18

It is driven by carnal minds supporting follies and superstitions while setting aside God's unerring rule for testing what is added to the church, adding worthless teachings as though they were precious.SLP 158.3 Human reasoning and traditions blunt the force of truth to excuse sin, while receiving Scripture simply enables distinguishing true from false.ST Jun 4, 1894 It turns truth into a lie to disguise impurity and sin as holiness, bringing destruction and leading others into sin.Ms 9, 1880, par. 47–54 It misinterprets and misapplies even to the opposite meaning from the truth to create vindication of theories and confusion of sentiments, deluding both doer and those influenced and used to resist revealed truth.Ms 149, 1904, par. 10+2

Specific misuses are strained interpretations to change or abolish the fourth commandment by opponents of the seventh-day Sabbath, while followers who search little accept error as truth by relying only on leaders.ExVEGW 56.2 They include denying the Lord's coming, claiming the first day is the Sabbath, with learning not excusing rejecting light, and professing Sabbath truth while twisting the commandment against adultery to excuse unfaithfulness to marriage vows.Lt 10, 1881, par. 11+1 They include ministers who could not answer the Bible argument for the Sabbath claiming the Bible was incomplete, that Daniel should be excluded, and that books would be removed.Lt 169, 1900, par. 2–6 They include presenting falsehoods and fables as essential teaching instead of accepting the Word as it reads, and adding fanciful falsehoods as important new truths that deprive believers of the bread of life and bring spiritual decline and death.RH Jun 18, 1901+1

The same wresting is done with present light, with the warnings God has given repeating the history of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.Ms 149, 1904, par. 10 It is done with the testimonies by changing their meaning to suit opinions and make them conform to preconceived ideas, with which God has a controversy.2MR 152.1 It opposes the firmly established truths of the third angel's message, where not one pin or pillar is to be moved, by specious arguments and baseless assertions interweaving Scripture with error from those who depart from faith they once held and now use the Word they once used to confirm faith to support error, whose misapplications are not to be listened to, held in endless controversy, or repeated.Ms 27, 1908, par. 13–14 At Battle Creek and elsewhere ministers present errors striking at the foundation of faith, giving heed to seducing spirits until adept at misconstruing and testifying to falsehoods to Satan's delight, drawing minds away and so confusing the Scriptures that many lose bearings and must not be believed.Lt 1, 1898, par. 8 Through constantly arising sects and isms to lead from the truth people are served fables instead of the bread of life, and nominal ministers in a most deceiving manner misinterpret, misapply and wrest to confuse interested minds that lack vital experience and know little of the Word for themselves.STB 80.2+2

Twisting Scripture to make it support personal theories leads to destruction for the one who does it.CT 463.2+2 Turning and twisting the Word to seem to uphold new, fanciful, fascinating and misleading theories that the Scriptures do not sustain endangers eternal life and the eternal interests of the soul.4MR 59.3–61.1+1 Scripture is wrested from its true interpretation when difficult passages are mishandled or separated from their true bearing, connection and setting, when isolated texts are joined together to make what appears to be Bible proof but is no proof, magnifying error while diminishing truth.Ms 175, 1901, par. 7+2 This is done by those who read from morning till night without humbly submitting the will to the will of God and refusing to lay aside every false position however dear to the selfish heart, so that they cannot receive a saving knowledge of the gospel, while those who with humility of heart search with sincere desire to know and obey the truth will not be left to walk in darkness.2MR 90.1 Those who thus distort Scripture to defend error and support false theories greatly dishonor God, delude both themselves and those they influence, lead others astray into disobedience of the divine law, and in the day of judgment will be held responsible for the disobedience of those who through their sophistries have been led to disregard the divine law.Ms 175, 1901, par. 7+2

Vague and fanciful interpretations of Scripture and the many conflicting theories concerning religious faith are the work of Satan to confuse minds so they shall not discern the truth.GC 520.3 Wresting means twisting Scripture to support a favorite theory instead of carefully studying with humility of heart to obtain a knowledge of His will, seeking only to discover something odd or original, and difficult passages including Paul's letters are thus twisted by those who lack sound understanding and are unstable, with ruinous consequences.GC 520.3+1 This prevailing custom of wresting causes in great measure the discord and division that exist among the churches of Christendom.GC 520.3+1 Assembling Bible texts to make them appear to prove theories already held spreads error and diverts attention from essential present truth.Lt 49, 1894, par. 5–6 Adding fanciful falsehoods to God's Word and presenting them as important new truths deprives believers of the bread of life and brings spiritual decline and death, whereas accepting the Word as it reads without twisting it means building on Christ, the eternal Rock.Lt 131, 1900, par. 4–5

The same wresting draws minds away from the Scriptures and so confuses the Scriptures that many lose their bearings.15MR 204.3–4+1 At Battle Creek and elsewhere ministers present errors striking at the foundation of faith and experience instead of truth, giving heed to seducing spirits until they become adept at misconstruing the Scriptures and testifying to falsehoods to Satan's delight while he plays the game of life for souls, and such teachers must not be believed.15MR 204.3–4+1 Those who choose error twist Scripture away from its true meaning to deceive others and keep them from accepting the truth.SLP 106.2 Opponents who misinterpret Scripture and falsify spoken words make fair discussion fruitless, so engaging them in controversy does not serve the good of the people or the glory of God.Ms 22, 1885, par. 13–14

Against this, Bible truth alone is worth living for, upholding God and His glory against any pleasing sophistry of human wisdom.Lt 220, 1903, par. 46–48 The verse prophesies the abominations and crimes and wickedness that would prevail in the world during the last days, and fulfillment of that prophecy in the state of the world calls true Christians to live lives of humility and prayer.Lt 220, 1903, par. 46–48 The Bible is truth and light, a lamp to the feet guiding every step to the gates of the city of God and a directory to eternal life, set in a path Satan has made desperate efforts to obstruct.FE 307.3 God's Word is an unerring rule for testing what is added to Christ's church, but many who appear to build the church set that rule aside and add worthless teachings as though they were precious, distorting God's Word with carnal minds to support follies and superstitions.SLP 158.3 Safety is in standing firm on revealed truth and the sure pillars of faith and the revealed principles of truth that are the only foundation, clothed with the Christian armor and shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.4MR 59.3–61.1+1

God has not given Scripture to be used to uphold a false position that unsettles minds about light He has clearly given, especially the firmly established truths of the third angel's message where not one pin or pillar is to be moved.Ms 27, 1908, par. 13–14 The foe brings specious arguments and baseless assertions, interweaving words of Scripture with a mass of error to confuse the mind, and those who depart from the faith they once held now use the Word they once used to confirm faith to support error.Ms 27, 1908, par. 13–14 Therefore every misapplication of Scripture to substantiate erroneous theories is not to be listened to or held in endless controversy, and their arguments are forbidden to be repeated.Ms 27, 1908, par. 13–14 Scripture is wrested from its true meaning whenever it is studied without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, and this happens to the plainest and simplest passages as well as the most difficult ones, as when such portions as best serve a purpose are selected, interpreted to suit self, and presented to the people while denying them the privilege of studying and understanding its sacred truths for themselves.GC 521.2 The whole Bible should be given to the people just as it reads, and it is better to have no Bible instruction at all than to have the teaching of the Scriptures grossly misrepresented.GC 521.2 Cherished opinions and customs must be tested by Scripture rather than twisting Scripture to fit prior beliefs, for distorting Scripture to make it support errors brings destruction upon those who do it.RH Mar 25, 1902