Misconceptions

 

As we journey along this spiritual road, sometimes we read things into Scripture that are not really there and miss things that are there. A great many times we simply take another’s word about what the Word says without checking for ourselves.

I recall an incident, several years ago in Bible study where the minister of the church who was leading the session claimed that at some time during the Exodus, God left Moses. Now, those who were acquainted with the verse to which he referred, were taken aback but rather than speak up, remained silent (me included), after all this was the theological expert so perhaps, he knew something the rest of us did not. Clearly it was a gross misinterpretation on his part.

But this poses a real danger in that, such misconceptions lead to wrong understanding of God’s Word and coming from the religious leader may prove catastrophic for his or her listeners as they carry forward that incorrect belief.

A friend once said to me, “As the bible says, cleanliness is next to godliness”. He truly believed this to be biblical and over the years I’ve come to realize that he was not alone; as a friend, I could not leave him in his ignorance. That adage, even though it sounds as if it should be introduced by quoting book, chapter and verse, is not in the bible.

Persons continue to confidently misquote 1 Timothy 6:10, when they say, “Money is the root of evil”. To his young apprentice, Apostle Paul wrote,

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.

We must get into the habit of checking the bible to make sure that it actually says what we think it does or what someone else says is in it.

Some misconceptions arise from misunderstanding the Word, from incorrect interpretations, like what happened at that bible study session and in some instances, from poor translations.

Yet another type of misconception can occur when what is found in the bible is taken out of the bible and attributed to some other source. For instance, another friend thought that the Lord’s prayer (see Matthew 6:5-15) was, as she put it, “made up by the Catholics”.

I’m starting to think that I need new friends.

Careful reading and study of the bible under proper spiritual guidance will help to avoid our being misled. Don’t ever just take anything carte blanche as that is a recipe for misinformation. Not because it sounds scriptural means it is.

The author of 1 John 4:1 (NRSVUE) advises,

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Test and examine every spirit, every teacher, every preacher, every expert, every blog writer and podcaster. Here’s the litmus test,

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God – 1 John 4:2 (NIV)

Think, research, study and dig deep; let God, who inspired the Word, guide you by His Spirit (see 2 Peter 1:21),

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. – 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

Utilising different translations, bible dictionaries and other books in conjunction with your bible, can be quite helpful. But even in this you must depend on the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Test all things; hold fast what is good. – 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV)

Another misconception has to do with the number of wise men that came to Bethlehem to visit Jesus as an infant. It is believed that there were only three wise men.

This probably stems from the gifts that they brought with them, gold, frankincense and myrrh but the bible neither gives us number nor names. Matthew 2:1 (ESV) simply says,

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem

Also, Jesus was not a baby but may have been closer to two years old (see Matthew 2:27). Sorry to burst your bubble.

And the last misconception I’ll draw to your attention concerns Jesus’ disciples. Many people believe that there were only twelve but read the following verses from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 9:1-2 (ESV)

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

Luke 10:1 (ESV)

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.

We can say that the twelve were Jesus’ inner circle, but He had a broader band of disciples, not only that but here’s a secret…Jesus had female disciples too.

Mary, Martha’s sister, is a prime example; she sat at Jesus’ feet (see Luke 10:38-39) – that was the traditional position or posture of a disciple. They would sit at their Rabbi’s feet, to listen to his teachings. Jesus was Mary’s Rabbi, her Teacher and she, His disciple.

Beloved, there are many biblical misconceptions swirling around, I have just pointed out a few to give your deep dive a kick-start.

I encourage you to really study the Word so that you may develop a better understanding and won’t have to solely depend on others. Keep in mind that adherence to correct beliefs reinforces your faith.

May Spirit guide you and bless you along the way.  

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Misconceptions” ©2026 May 16, 2026