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“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth,”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬, ‭NIV‬‬.

The difference in one number can be a win or a loss for us. In a soccer game, losing weight, or one’s GPA—it can matter significantly.

I got out of my car at church and noticed a vanity plate on the car in front of me. It was a Bible verse and as I walked away, I looked it up, and shared it with my husband—

“Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear,”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭47‬, NIV‬‬.

My husband cracking up said, “That will get one’s attention.”

“That can’t be right. Maybe I got the verse wrong.”

And indeed, I had--

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Mark 14:36, NIV.

It wasn’t Mark 14:47, it was Mark 14:36. Each digit off by one. And it made all the difference.

How often have I quoted just part of a verse, because I believe my audience knew what I was talking about? Or quoted something potentially out of context or quoted the wrong verse as a reference? These seemingly lightweight mistakes can be very costly. I am held responsible for God’s Word coming out of my mouth.

As a young Christian I attended a junior high VBS. They showed the movie The Thief in the Night, it was about what happens to those who are left behind after Jesus’ return. As the credits ran, my hand went up. I did not want that fate.

The verse they used to counsel me into the kingdom was—

"So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober,” I Thessalonians 5:6, RSV.

I tried with all my might to stay awake. But night after night I found myself asleep until the sun rose the next day.

I felt like I had failed as a new child of God. But God brought someone who could rightly handle the word of God, so I learned, and understood, and grew.

Handling the word of God is a high and holy responsibility. Misquoting a verse can either end with Peter cutting off a servant's ear, or it will have us surrendering our will to God’s.

How are we doing today? Are we using God’s word as a weapon—threating our children or loved ones to behave? Or as a bridge of truth, welcoming those into God’s kingdom?

Father,

We need Your wisdom to handle Your truth.

Forgive me when I misquote, mislead or use Your Words to manipulate or discourage. You don’t do that. Every word You speak is spoken in love. Whether it’s used to encourage others to obey or to encourage faithfulness. Your Word is perfect.

Help me to do the same.

I need Your Spirit to help me daily as I talk about You, and Your word. I don’t want to fail You.

We love You.

Amen.