One of my friends like butter chicken very much. He always orders this dish whenever he visits a restaurant. Due to lockdown in Corona times, he thought of creating his own at home. He searched Internet for the recipe and found the list of ingredients, he ordered them. However, he did not like all the ingredients. One of the ingredients, he hated much. Half of the ingredients, he knocked off the list. Then he cooked with the rest of ingredients. It was a distasteful disaster. Each ingredient contributes to the whole. When all ingredients are not added the final product is incomplete, imperfect, and sometimes dangerous.
There are many, who like to pick and choose from the Bible. Some people like only the Sermon on the Mount. They do not like other parts of the Bible. Parables of Lord Jesus fascinates some people, Proverbs are attractive as it gives moral values, some just Psalms. Promises of God is loved by many that they read only them.
Go has revealed Himself and given the whole counsel through the Bible. (Acts 20:27) Instead of receiving the Whole Counsel of God, many like to pick up only few ingredients (portions) here and there and create their own ‘Bible.’ That is dangerous approach.
Satan quoted a promise from the Scripture to tempt Lord Jesus Christ. “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalms 91:11-12) Lord defeated him by quoting another Scripture: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Deuteronomy 6:16) Without understanding these two verses in the context of whole Bible, a person could be trapped by Satan.
It is not about our likes or preferences from the Bible, we have to learn, meditate and apply the whole Truth in our lives.
Do I seek the whole counsel of God?