I had a conversation with a bright young man about a year ago, and it centered on justifying the riots and burnings of establishments by social justice warriors in the US due to the death of a black man under the hands of police officers.

“Well, Jesus got angry, too, and became violent at the Temple in Jerusalem,” was his reasoning, justifying the rioters’ criminal acts and believing they should be given a free pass.

Jesus was angry at the Temple for the existence of corruption, and the objects of his anger were related to this reason. Merchants had commercialized the observance of Jewish ceremonial laws, exploiting the need of the people to purchase cattle, sheep or doves for use as sacrifice and worship by selling them at exorbitant prices. Jesus overturned the tables of those predatory merchants. He was motivated by His love and respect for the Temple of the LORD.

Such is not the case with rioters. They burn down establishments and private property of those who have nothing to do at all with the death of their brother. They had no valid reason to steal or to burn. Their anger is misplaced. The objects of their anger are misplaced, and innocent people were hurt and a few were killed.

It’s not for me to judge this young man; he spouts off what he hears from the liberal media who use bits and pieces of Scripture to serve their purposes, often taking things out of context. However, people should not be quick to accept as truth whatever it is they hear.

Let me use an analogy. I haven’t read the book, “Dreams from My Father” by former president Barack Obama, and if I were to quote an excerpt from his book and make a questionable judgment about him based on that specific excerpt, I am sure I would receive a backlash from those who have read his book and know him personally.

I have not read the Q’uran. So if I were to make a judgment about Muhammad and quote his detractors, I would not be in a position to say that my statement was accurate or fair.

And yet, it seems that when it comes to the Bible, many people opposed to conservative Christian values quote it as if they are the experts, twisting words, phrases, and interpretations to support their claims. And these claims move through various forms of media swiftly, passing off as truth. The Bible can and will be misquoted, so believers will have to be grounded and intentional in their knowledge of Scripture to see through those lies and defend the truth.

I pray for that young man, and for those in a similar position as he is in. I pray that God will open their eyes to the truth of God’s words and have the courage to stand firm in truth. God did not send Jesus to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”