Another Picker and Chooser

If you haven't figured it out yet, what the Pickers and Choosers are doing is called proof texting. Proof texting is the method of taking any old verse from anywhere in the Bible and using it to advance an agenda. The agenda may be a good thing or the right thing, but the method to implement the agenda is dishonest and requires one to wrest or spiritualize a passage in order to force performance from their audience. I have already given two examples in the previous posts, here is one more. I have actually heard this one used more than once and see if you have as well.

Bless God Hallelujah, I thank God He has called me here to lead this church as your Pastor. God expects me to watch over this flock and guide you in the right path for straight is the gate and narrow is the way and few there find it. God has spoken to my heart and given me this message to speak today about something that God has brought to my attention lately which needs dealt with. I am speaking about the way certain people in this auditorium are dressing especially you ladies. God is clear in His word which tells you ladies you should not be wearing them pants and slacks and should be wearing dresses. God tells us in Deuteronomy 22 it is an abomination to God when you ladies walk around looking like men wearing those devilish pantsuits....and so on....

• Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

What just happened? First, the preacher covered himself by saying "God spoke to his heart" and also gave him this message specifically for this assembly. How many times did you hear that one ? Second, the preacher said "God brought it to his attention". If I had a nickel for every time I heard that delivery I would be rich. Third, because the preacher doesn't like ladies wearing certain articles of clothing, namely pants, he is willing to put the people back under the weak and beggarly elements of the law in order to whip them into shape by trotting out Deuteronomy 22:5. Of course the preacher doesn't want his people walking around looking like bums or the ladies letting it all hang out but to put the smackdown on them by putting the yoke of bondage back around their necks is dishonest and demonstrates ignorance to the passage. I wonder if the same preacher or pastor which pulls Deuteronomy 22:5 out of his arsenal to force performance from his people also yields himself to the instruction just six verses away?

• Deuteronomy 22:11 Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woolen and linen together.

That would include the elastic in his jockey shorts wouldn't it? How about that polyester tie? As far as I know, every piece of clothing today is a blend of some sort isn't it? Would not there have been a better way to encourage the folks to dress appropriately? Sure there is!

• 1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
• Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

There are a few verses to encourage folks to think about their image or clothing in a way that doesn't force performance based on the law. We are ambassadors for Christ with the word of reconciliation therefore we should look the part and not be conformed to the world. Today there is a movement in evangelical circles which encourages believers to conform to the world calling themselves relevant or cultural Christianity. The music is rock and roll to the core, the musicians dress like they would at any rock concert, the lyrics are all about "love" and if there is any scripture referenced at all, it mostly from Israel's messianic psalms.....but that is another subject.

In the dispensation of the grace of God we have the liberty to do the right thing. People will say things like "you think you can do anything since you are under grace and not the law" and they are right. We could do all the wrong things if we wanted to, we are just not the candidate for doing those wrong things now because the old man has been crucified. We have the liberty to do the right things. When you truly get that doctrine downloaded into your inner man, everything changes and the things of this present evil world have no glimmer, no attraction and no desirable attributes. When the word of God rightly divided resides in your inner man, the effectual working of the word works through you, that is what 2 Timothy 3:17 deals with in saying "throughly furnished" unto all good works.

• 2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Proof texting is dishonest on many levels and displays the heart of the person attempting to manipulate the folks in their use. Using any old verse because it addresses a certain topic disregarding the audience to whom it was spoken is a disease in mainstream Christianity that needs marked and avoided. Mid Acts Pauline dispensational right division of the KJB is the cure to the problem. Let's press on as we continue to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery!!!