April 23

The Danger of Twisting God’s Word

We can learn a lesson from Luke 22:3 that says, “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.” This is one of the most chilling moments in Scripture, a man who walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and heard the truth from His own lips, yet allowed himself to become a tool of Satan. Judas’s betrayal was not sudden. It was the result of a hardened heart, unbelief, and rejection of truth. His life serves as a solemn warning of what can happen when someone resists the Word of God and allows lies to take root.

Throughout the Bible, twisting or rejecting God’s Word is shown to be spiritually dangerous. In Genesis 3:1, Satan’s very first tactic was to distort God’s command: “Did God actually say…?” This same method is used today when people twist Scripture to support man-made doctrines or traditions that are not found in the Bible. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day in Mark 7:7–9, saying, “In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men… You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

When truth is replaced by false teaching, it opens the door for spiritual deception. 2 Timothy 4:3–4 warns that “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but… will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” Judas Iscariot is a tragic example of where this road can lead. He didn’t just doubt, he cooperated with darkness. And when Satan entered him, it revealed just how far he had drifted from truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 makes it even clearer: those who “refused to love the truth and so be saved” will be given over to strong delusion because they “had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Twisting Scripture is not a small error, it is rebellion against the God who gave us His Word as truth (John 17:17). Those who do so are in danger of being completely overtaken by deception, just like Judas.

Let this be a wake-up call. The Word of God is not ours to edit or interpret however we please. We are warned in 2 Peter 3:16 that some twist Scripture “to their own destruction.” Stand firm in the truth. Do not trade it for man’s wisdom, religious tradition, or false teaching. Judas followed Jesus with his feet, but not with his heart, and in the end, it cost him everything. Let his story remind us: rejecting God’s Word opens the door to Satan’s lies. Stay grounded in Scripture, and let the truth guard your soul.

Read / Listen
Judges 1:1-2:9
Luke 21:29-22:13
Psalm 90:1-91:16
Proverbs 13:24-25