In order for something to be twisted, it has to be forced out of its natural or proper shape. So, when we look in Genesis, Genesis 2 verses 15 to 17, we find God’s instructions to Adam. They say, “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Then at the end of chapter 2, God gives Adam a wife. We know that all is well in the Garden of Eden because of what verse 25 tells us. It says, “Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.” If we look at the last portion of this verse again it says, “…but they felt no shame.” This means they were comfortable. There was no self-awareness that something was twisted or wrong. Adam and Eve are not twisted. Their understanding of God’s commands are not forced out of its natural plan. They are in the smack dead middle of God’s will.

     However, when we get to Genesis chapter 3, we find the serpent, the craftiest animal, speaks to the woman, asking her about God’s command—did God say you couldn’t eat from any tree in the garden? Eve clarifies that they’re not supposed to eat from, or even touch, the tree in the middle of the garden, or they will die. But the serpent claims that they won’t actually die. So, it becomes evident how Satan distorts the words spoken by God. God always speaks the truth, while Satan is known for his deceitful lies. Remember, the root of “Twisted Scripture” is always deception.

     Then, we see another example of “Twisted Scripture” in Psalm 91 verses 11 and 12. It says, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” The promise in verses 11 and 12 was quoted and twisted by Satan in His temptation of Jesus in the wilderness as Matthew 7 and Luke 4 describes for us. (see Matthew 4:5-7 and Luke 4:9-12). Satan enticed Jesus to manufacture a false crisis by casting Himself from a lofty place on the temple mount, using Psalm 91:11-12 as a guarantee of safety should Jesus comply. Satan will use anything or anyone to distort God and His Word. Again, the root of “Twisted Scripture” is all about deception.

     What measures can we take to protect ourselves from becoming victims of “Twisted Scripture”? Our first line of defense is simple. We should not only listen to what the Word says but do what it says as James 1:22 tells us. Next, bear in mind the character of the deceiver, Satan. Jesus reminds us in John 8:44 that Satan is the “father of lies” in that he is the original liar. In addition, Ephesians 6:12 warns us by saying, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Satan does not want us to desire God’s Word, stand on God’s Word, know God’s Word, comprehend God’s Word, live by God’s Word, or read God’s Word. Therefore, we must remember to value God’s Word above everything; His Word matters. Psalm 116:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

     It was always a deceptive tool of Satan to twist scripture in order to annihilate the children of God. However, each of us has the opportunity to run to the One who is Truth. Because in Jesus, there is no “Twisted Scripture”.