Could Your Conclusions Be Wrong?
The Scriptures record occasions when people reached incorrect conclusions, even about what Jesus said. They also warn us against relying on our own understanding and show us the importance of examining what God has revealed.
CLICK OR TAP EACH QUESTION BELOW to read the Scriptures and consider the questions. After reading the passage, select "Reveal What the Passage Says" to examine the explanation. Some questions contain additional passages that can also be opened.1. Can We Misunderstand What Jesus Has Said?
Matthew 16:5-12 (KJV)
5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Questions: What did the disciples think Jesus meant when He warned them about leaven? What was He actually warning them about?
Reveal What the Passage Says
The disciples initially reasoned that Jesus was speaking about their failure to bring bread. Verse 12 explains that His warning concerned the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Consider: Could I misunderstand a statement because I assume it means something it does not?
2. Can Religious Teachers Be Confident in a Belief and Still Be Wrong?
Matthew 22:23-33 (KJV)
23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27 And last of all the woman died also.
28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Questions: What did the Sadducees believe about the resurrection? How did Jesus answer them?
Reveal What the Passage Says
The Sadducees said there was no resurrection. Jesus told them, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God" (verse 29). He then answered their reasoning from the Scriptures.
Consider: Does confidence in a religious belief establish that the belief is correct?
3. Can People Believe Jesus Said Something He Never Actually Said?
John 21:20-23 (KJV)
20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
Questions: What saying spread among the brethren? Did Jesus actually make that statement?
Reveal What the Passage Says
A saying spread that the disciple would not die. However, verse 23 specifically states that Jesus had not said he would not die. His actual statement was conditional.
Consider: Have I ever accepted something as biblical without checking what was actually said?
4. Should We Trust Our Own Understanding?
Proverbs 3:5-7 (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Questions: According to these verses, whom should we trust? What are we warned not to lean upon or be wise in?
Reveal What the Passage Says
We are instructed to trust in the LORD with all our heart, not to lean unto our own understanding, and not to be wise in our own eyes. We are also told to acknowledge Him, fear Him, and depart from evil.
Consider: When examining what I believe, am I relying on my own understanding or seeking what God has revealed?
5. Can Something Seem Right and Still Be Wrong?
Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Questions: What can seem right to a person? Where can that way ultimately lead?
Reveal What the Passage Says
The fact that a way seems right does not establish that it is right. The passage warns that the end of that way can be death.
Consider: Have I ever treated being convinced of something as proof that it is true?
6. What Do the Scriptures Provide?
II Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Questions: What is all Scripture given by? For what four things is it profitable? What is the result for the man of God?
Reveal What the Passage Says
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Consider: If the Scriptures furnish us unto all good works, should I rely on uninspired religious assumptions to decide what is right?
7. Can You Sincerely Believe You Are Doing Right and Still Be Wrong?
Acts 26:9-11 (KJV)
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Questions: What did Paul think he ought to do? What actions did he take because of that conviction? Were those actions right simply because he thought they were?
Reveal What the Passage Says
Paul said he thought he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He imprisoned and persecuted saints and supported their deaths. His strong conviction did not make those actions right.
Consider: If I feel completely confident that something is right, does that mean I have correctly understood God's will?
8. Can Religious Traditions Make the Word of God of None Effect?
Mark 7:1-13 (KJV)
1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Questions: Why did the Pharisees and scribes find fault with the disciples? What did Jesus say they were laying aside and rejecting? What did their tradition do to the word of God?
Reveal What the Passage Says
They found fault because the disciples did not follow the tradition concerning washing hands before eating. Jesus said they laid aside and rejected the commandment of God in order to keep their own tradition. He gave an example involving responsibility to father and mother and said their tradition made the word of God of none effect (verse 13).
Consider: Could a religious practice I have accepted as right actually conflict with something God has commanded?
9. Did You Know That God Commands His People to Stop Sinning?
This question deserves careful consideration. Examine the following five passages and consider what God expects of those who belong to Him.
Instructions: Click or tap each Scripture reference to read the passage. After reading, consider the questions before revealing the explanation.
Romans 6:1-16 — Shall We Continue in Sin?
Romans 6:1-16 (KJV)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Questions: What is Paul's answer to the idea of continuing in sin so that grace may abound? What does he say about serving sin? What does he command in verses 12-13?
Reveal What the Passage Says
Paul twice rejects the idea of continuing in sin because of grace, answering, "God forbid" (verses 2 and 15). He teaches that Christians should no longer serve sin (verse 6), should not let sin reign in their mortal bodies (verse 12), and should yield themselves to God as instruments of righteousness (verse 13).
Consider: If God's grace does not permit us to continue in sin, why would anyone teach that Christians are expected to keep living in sin?
I Corinthians 15:34 — What Are Christians Commanded to Do?
I Corinthians 15:34 (KJV)
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Questions: What two commands does Paul give? Does the verse command Christians to continue sinning or to stop?
Reveal What the Passage Says
Paul commands them to awake to righteousness and to sin not. The instruction is direct. Christians are commanded to stop sinning.
Consider: If God commands His people to sin not, should we treat continuing in sin as something acceptable?
II Timothy 2:19 — What Must Those Who Name Christ Depart From?
II Timothy 2:19 (KJV)
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Questions: What is everyone who names Christ commanded to depart from? Is departing from iniquity presented as optional?
Reveal What the Passage Says
The passage instructs everyone who names the name of Christ to depart from iniquity. It does not present continuing in iniquity as acceptable conduct for those professing Christ.
Consider: If I claim to belong to Christ, am I willing to depart from practices that His word identifies as sinful?
Titus 2:11-14 — What Does the Grace of God Teach?
Titus 2:11-14 (KJV)
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Questions: What does God's grace teach us to deny? How does it instruct us to live in this present world? Why did Jesus give Himself for us, according to verse 14?
Reveal What the Passage Says
God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Jesus gave Himself to redeem us from all iniquity and purify a people who are zealous of good works.
Consider: Is the grace of God presented as permission to continue in sin, or does grace teach us to turn away from sin and live righteously?
I Peter 1:13-16 — What Does God Command Concerning Holiness?
I Peter 1:13-16 (KJV)
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Questions: What does Peter say obedient children should no longer fashion themselves according to? In what manner of conduct are God's people commanded to be holy? Why?
Reveal What the Passage Says
Christians are instructed not to fashion themselves according to their former lusts. They are commanded to be holy in all manner of conversation because God Himself is holy.
Consider: If God commands holiness in all our conduct, should we accept the idea that sinful living is simply an unavoidable part of being a Christian?
One Final Question:
After reading these five passages, consider this: If God commands His people not to continue in sin, to depart from iniquity, to deny ungodliness, and to be holy, should we accept a religious teaching that says Christians cannot stop sinning?
Don't answer based on what you have always heard or believed. Consider what the Scriptures actually say.
A Question Worth Asking: If people in the Scriptures sometimes reached wrong conclusions, shouldn't we be willing to examine our own conclusions carefully?
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." — I Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)
Have a question about something you've been taught or something you've read? You are welcome to contact me and examine the Scriptures together.
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