What Not To Say From The Pulpit

When things are spoken repeatedly, there is a tendency to accept it as truth without questioning its validity. This is especially true in religious settings. The preacher says the same thing from the pulpit over and over again, until the hearers accept it as truth, even repeating it themselves before studying the scriptures to find out if it lines up with the Word of God.

In this article we will look at several things that we all may have heard spoken from the pulpit that do not line up with the Word of God. The intent of this article is to shed light on these topics to promote the distribution of the truth of God’s Word to the masses.

DON'T SAY LINE UPON LINE, PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT

When passages of scripture in The Bible open with the word “Woe,” it is certain that a rebuke will follow. This is the case with Isaiah, Chapters 28 and 29. God rebuked the religious leaders for teaching precept upon precept, line upon line. In the book of Isaiah God says, “But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken” (Isa. 28:13).

The priests and prophets used the Sinai Covenant to pervert judgment (Isa. 29:21). God says that their fear toward him is taught by the precept of men. The Bible says, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men” (Isa. 29:13).

The religious leaders applied the Word of God precept upon precept, line upon line; without compassion for the widows and orphans. Their application of the Law brought hardship upon the people, but furthered their own selfish desires. The children of Israel refused to hear the law of the Lord from his seers and prophets. As a result, God blinded their eyes to wisdom and understanding (Isa. 29:10).

It is clear to see from Isaiah, Chapters 28 and 29 that God rebuked the religious leaders for applying his Word precept upon precept, line upon line. So why would anyone repeat this phrase from the pulpit? It’s because they have accepted as truth something that they have heard repeated over and over again.

DON'T SAY THAT JEPHTHAH SACRIFICED HIS DAUGHTER AS A BURNT OFFERING

A man named Jephthah who was one of the judges of Israel impulsively vowed his daughter as a burnt sacrifice in return for victory against the Ammonites (Judg. 11:30-34). Jephthah made a vow to God that if he were victorious over the Ammonites that he would offer to God for a burnt offering whatever came out of his house first to meet him when he returned home from the battle (Judg. 11:30-31). When Jephthah returned home from his victory over the Ammonites, his daughter; his only child, came out to celebrate him (Judg. 11:34).

Several times I have heard preachers in the pulpit tell the audience that Jephthah sacrificed the life of his daughter on an altar as a burnt offering. This story is not true for several reasons. First of all, God did not accept human sacrifices as burnt offering. The burnt offering that God required were bullocks, rams, and lambs (Num. 7:15). Secondly, when someone made a vow or some other voluntary offering to God, a burnt offering of bullocks, rams, or lambs was required in addition to the vow or other voluntary offering (Num. 15:3, 8). Third, God cast out the heathen from the lands because they sacrificed their sons and daughters as burnt offerings to idol gods (Lev. 18:21).

Jephthah actually vowed his daughter to be a Nazarite; which means one that is separated unto the Lord (Num. 6:2) for the rest of their life. This meant that she would never marry (Judg. 11:39) and would spend the rest of her life in servitude. That is why she asked her father to allow her two months to bewail her virginity before she had to go into servitude (Judg. 11:37).

The Bible says, “That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year” (Judg. 11:40). In Strong’s Concordance “lament” is defined as H8567, and is translated tānâ in Greek which means; to ascribe (praise), i.e. celebrate, commemorate (Blue Letter Bible). According to Benson’s Commentary, there is not the least reason to conclude that the daughters of Judah went yearly, much less four times every year, either to lament or praise the daughter of Jephthah after she was dead; but rather that they went while she lived, to visit and converse with her, and comfort her with their company and discourses (Bible Hub).

Samuel was a Nazarite. His mother Hannah made a vow to the Lord that if she conceived she would give her son to the Lord for the rest of his life. (1 Sam. 1:11). Hannah delivered her son Samuel to the temple where he spent the rest of his life as a Nazarite, a prophet, priest, and judge in Israel (1 Sam. 3:1, 10; 7:15).

GOD COMMANDED THE PEOPLE NOT TO SAY "THE BURDEN OF THE LORD"

People often say that God has given them a burden to do this or that. God does not burden his saints. When the people of Israel inquired of Jeremiah for the Word of God they would ask, “What is the burden of the Lord?” God was not pleased with this phrase (Jer. 23:36). God said that he would forsake them and punish them for saying it (Jer. 23:33-34).

This phrase angered God so much that he even told them what to say instead. God told them that instead they should ask, “What has the Lord answered? And What hath the Lord spoken?" (Jer. 23:35). There are some things that really tick God off, and apparently this is one of them. God does not change. God says, “For I am the Lord, I change not . . .” (Mal. 3:6). God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So, with that in mind, this phrase should definitely not be spoken.

DON'T SAY THAT DIVINE HEALING IS NOT FOR TODAY

Someone professing to be a Christian should never say that divine healing does not exist today. God’s desire to heal his people is expressed throughout The Bible from the Old Testament to the book of Revelation. Beginning with the Book of Genesis we see that God desires good health for his people. God said that his people would be buried in a good old age (Gen. 15:15). God said that the days of mankind shall be one hundred and twenty years (Gen. 6:3). God said to the people of Israel I am the Lord that healeth thee (Ex. 15:26).

God sent his son Jesus Christ into the world to save that which was lost. The primary activities of Jesus Christ was teaching, preaching and healing. His healings were always a sign from heaven of Christ’s authority as Messiah (John 7:31). He was giving Israel a taste of the kingdom of God (Lu. 11:20). The apostles were also given the specific power to heal the sick and their miracles, including healing, were confirmation of the truth of the gospel the apostles proclaimed. Someday, all sickness and death will be eradicated (Rev. 21:4) (Got Questions).

Healing the Sick is Part of The Great Commission

In The Great Commission are the instructions that Jesus gave his disciples before he ascended into Heaven. The following passages of scriptures are examples that Jesus left his disciples; instructions that he gave them; and what is expected of the followers of Jesus today.

“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matt. 4:23).

"7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:7-8).

“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mk. 16:20).

“And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick” (Lu. 9:2).

Although divine healing is available today, this does not mean that God will heal every sickness. God is sovereign and everything that happens is a result of his permissive will. God is also omniscient; knowing all things, so he alone knows why some people experience divine healing and others do not.

DON'T SAY THAT THERE IS NO NEW REVELATION FROM GOD

Some in Christendom believe that God stopped speaking after the Book of Revelation. They do not believe that there are any new revelations from God. It is as if they believe that God became mute after the Book of Revelation. If it were true that God stopped speaking outside of the words of scripture, then all preaching is in vain. God gave supernatural gifts to the church to accomplish his will and purpose in the earth. Paul writes, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-12). God reveals himself through the gifts that he bestowed upon humankind. 

The rhema Word of God that is manifested through supernatural gifts produces faith for salvation. Paul writes, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom. 10:14). Paul writes, "then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Therefore, there is no biblical evidence to support the belief that God stopped speaking after the Book of Revelation. In fact, the scriptures prove without a doubt that this belief is nothing more than a religious myth.

CONCLUSION

It is important to study God’s Word instead of repeating things that others say. What often happens is that religious myths are passed down through generations without being questioned. The topics addressed in this article are just a sample of the erroneous interpretations of scripture that have been accepted as truth. Paul writes to Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Strong’s defines the word “study” as G4704, which is translated “spoudazō. This word is used in the King James Version (KJV) to mean endeavour, do diligence, be diligent, give diligence, be forward, and labour. (Blue Letter Bible).

Christians have an obligation to share the truths of God’s Word, which comes from studying the Word of God. Paul writes, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another" (Col. 3:16). 

If you would like to have a personal relationship with Jesus, you must be born-again according to Acts 2:38 which reads, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Please share your comments and questions in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you.


Diane Margo Penny is an author, content creator, social media specialist, and Web Designer.

Works Cited:

All scripture references are taken from The Bible, King James Version unless noted otherwise.

The Holy Bible, King James Version. Giant Print Reference ed. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. Publishers, 1990.

[BibleHub.com]

[BlueLetterBible.org]

[GotQuestions.org]

Image Citation:
bible-2778631_1920. Spencer Wing. [Pixabay.com]. Web. 1 Dec. 2025.