Why Do Christians Use the Bible to Back Up Nonsense?

September 23, 2025 OLAOLUWA AYOMIDE

Let’s be honest: one of the greatest embarrassments in modern Christianity is how easily many believers twist the Word of God to defend their wrong actions. The Bible, which was given to us for teaching, correction, and righteous living, is now being quoted to justify pride, sin, laziness, greed, and even outright wickedness.

How did we get here? How did the holy Word of God, sharper than any two-edged sword, become a tool in the hands of people trying to excuse nonsense?

1. Cherry-Picking Scriptures to Fit a Lifestyle

Many Christians read the Bible the way a politician reads a speech: skipping what they don’t like and highlighting what makes them look good.

Someone doesn’t want accountability? They shout, “Judge not!” (Matthew 7:1), ignoring that the same Bible tells us to judge righteously (John 7:24).
Someone wants to live in sin and still claim grace? They quote, “Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more” (Romans 5:20), but leave out the very next verse that asks, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!” (Romans 6:1-2).
Someone refuses to work but expects others to take care of them? They hide under “God will provide” while ignoring “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

This isn’t faithfulness to scripture — it’s manipulation.

2. Twisting Verses to Excuse Sin

Let’s tell the truth: many believers know exactly what the Bible says, but they twist it to suit their desires.

A drunkard may say, “Didn’t Paul tell Timothy to take a little wine?” (1 Timothy 5:23) to defend addiction.
A liar may say, “Even Rahab lied and was blessed” (Joshua 2:4-6), forgetting that God blessed her faith, not her lie.
An angry or unforgiving Christian may say, “Jesus flipped tables too!” forgetting that Jesus acted in holy anger, not bitterness or malice.

People don’t misuse scripture because they don’t know better. Most times, they do. They just don’t want to repent.

3. Prosperity Abuse

This one is rampant. Preachers and believers alike twist verses to promote greed.

They quote, “Give and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38) to manipulate people into sowing money for selfish gain, ignoring that the context was about forgiveness and generosity, not fundraising schemes.
They quote, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper” (3 John 1:2) to build an entire gospel of materialism, while neglecting scriptures about sacrifice, contentment, and laying treasures in heaven.

Instead of teaching believers to be faithful stewards, some have turned the Bible into a tool for business.

4. Misusing Grace as a License

Grace is perhaps the most abused concept today. Some Christians boldly continue in sin and justify it by saying, “We are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

But Paul himself asked, “Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? God forbid!” (Romans 6:15). Grace was given to free us from sin, not to give us permission to wallow in it.

5. False Prophecies Backed by Half-Verses

Some so-called prophets pull out random scriptures to back up lies. They misapply stories of Old Testament blessings to justify selfish “prophecies” about cars, money, or political power. But the Bible warns us: “They speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:16).

6. Using the Word Without the Spirit

Here’s the bottom line: the Bible without the Spirit of God is just text. And when people use it without the Spirit, they kill its meaning. The scripture says, “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6).

When Christians use the Bible as a shield to excuse sin, they strip it of the Spirit that gives it power. The Word was never meant to back up nonsense. It was given to transform nonsense into righteousness.

A Wake-Up Call to the Church

Christians, we need to stop playing games with God’s Word. The Bible is not a buffet where we pick what we like and spit out what we don’t. It is not a defense lawyer for sin. It is a sword meant to pierce us, challenge us, and lead us into holiness.

If you find yourself constantly reaching for Bible verses to justify your behavior instead of to examine your heart, check yourself. You may not be living for God — you may just be using His Word as a cover.

Final Thoughts & Call-to-Action

The truth is simple: the Bible does not need us to defend it. We need it to correct us. Every time we twist scripture to defend wrong actions, we insult the God who gave us His Word.

So, the next time you’re tempted to pull a verse out of context to back up your nonsense, stop and ask yourself: Am I using this verse to honor God, or am I using it to silence Him?

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This is the hour for Christians to return to sound doctrine, to proper Bible study, and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Stop misusing the Word and start living it. Let the Bible shape your life instead of twisting it to fit your life.

Because at the end of the day, God is not impressed by how many verses you can quote — He is looking for how many verses you actually live out.