In Biblical issues, the primary way for someone to deceive is to "cherry-pick" verses out of context and piece them together to support the desired point of view - which is often not the view of God as expressed by scripture.
 | More: Confirmation bias |
The phrase "cherry picking" is used when facts (e.g., verses) that match the idea that one wants to convey are used (out of context) and other ideas (e.g., verses) omitted to "deceive" listeners to believing what the speaker (the "deceiver") wants them to believe (is true in reality).
 | More: Matthew 4:1-11 Examining evil temptations |
Matthew 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, [kjv]
18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. [kjv]
18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. [kjv]
18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. [kjv]
 | More: Attractive refrigerator magnet sermons |
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These verses are cherry-picked. What do these verses actually mean in context? Jesus, Paul, etc., use the word for a "child" to refer to believers (of all ages). |
 | More: Matthew 18:2-11 Great children ensnared in the middle |
John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. [kjv]
οι ουν στρατιωται οτε εσταυρωσαν τον ιησουν ελαβον τα ιματια αυτου και εποιησαν τεσσαρα μερη εκαστω στρατιωτη μερος και τον χιτωνα ην δε ο χιτων αραφος εκ των ανωθεν υφαντος δι ολου [gnt]
… contexta … [v]
The word "context" comes from the Latin "contextus" ≈ "joining together, weaving together" which comes from the Latin "texere" ≈ "to weave, to make". The English word "texture" is from the Latin word "textura" ≈ "weaving, web, texture".
"A text without a context is a pretext for a proof text". Dr. Carson who attributes it to his father, a Canadian minister.
This is often done by "cherry picking" verses that support one's personal view which is a form of "confirmation bias". Another name for this deception is that of "selective evidence".
 | More: A biased view about being unbiased |
Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. [kjv]
και προσελθων ο πειραζων ειπεν αυτω ει υιος ει του θεου ινα οι λιθοι ουτοι αρτοι γενωνται [gnt]
7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? [kjv]
η τις εξ υμων ανθρωπος ον αιτησει ο υιος αυτου αρτον μη λιθον επιδωσει αυτω [gnt]
 | More: Matthew 7:7-10 Ask and seek and knock gifts to children |
 | More: Matthew 4:1-11 Examining evil temptations |
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. [kjv]
ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν γεγραπται ουκ επ αρτω μονω ζησεται ο ανθρωπος αλλ επι παντι ρηματι εκπορευομενω δια στοματος θεου [gnt]
The devil quotes scripture. Jesus detects the deception and quotes back scripture in context. Context is important!
 | More: Matthew 4:1-11 Examining evil temptations |
 | More: Philippians 2:14-15 murmurings and disputings |
