The Twisting And Abusing Of Scriptures By False Prophets And Teachers: The Case Of "Touch Not My Anointed …"

I have spent some time teaching Biblical interpretation to minimize the havoc Biblical illiteracy wreak on Christians that do not know how to read the Bible for all its worth. False prophets abound because many Christians cannot read the Bible well, including good Christians. One does not need to be a Bible scholar or a theologian to read and understand the Scripture under investigation.

The scriptures, "Do not touch my anointed ones and harm not my prophets!" have been twisted and abused by false teachers and prophets to absolve themselves of moral responsibility and accountability (Psalm 105:15). The false prophets use these scriptures to get away with their anti-social behaviors, and their misinformed devotees also use such scriptures to defend their cult leaders. Devotion and loyalty to leaders are commendable, but only for good reasons. The question is: What does the Scripture verse, "Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm," mean?

As I have said already, all one must do to understand this verse of scriptures is to be a good reader. Read the whole chapter within the context to know what the psalmist refers to here. These scriptures have nothing to do with the present-day so-called men of God. Zero in on verses 6-10, and verses 14-15, after reading the whole psalm. The verse is simply warning the heathen kings and their people not to harm the people of Israel. The verse is not warning New Testament believers not to criticize or question their leaders constructively. The first rule to correct Bible interpretation is "Context, Context, and Context." A careful exegetical reading of this Scriptures shows that the psalmist is speaking of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: All the people of Israel, including their leaders and not the present-day false Bible teachers. The phrase "my anointed, and my prophets" refers to Israel and its leaders. Read verses 14 and 15 together. "He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: Do not touch my anointed ones, and do not harm my prophets!"

Other parallel Scriptures that these false teachers cite are 1 Samuel 24:9-12. "You shall not touch the Lord's anointed." However, these scriptures read within their contexts have nothing to do with questioning the anti-social behaviors or conducts of people who profess to be God's ministers but act contrary to His teachings. This verse has to do with KILLING someone anointed by God. For verse 10 says the following, "This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lay my hand on my lord because he is the Lord's anointed.' "Please, people of God, read the scriptures well.

What the false teachers do not tell their devotees is that in the ensuing verses, David rebuked King Saul, saying, "as the proverb of the ancients says, wickedness proceeds from the wicked.' But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog, a flea? Therefore let the Lord be judge, and judge between you and me, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand." David also rebuked King Saul in (1 Samuel 26:8-10, 11, 23).

Also, In the New Testament, we see Paul, the least of the apostles, rebuking the greatest of the apostles, Peter. In Galatians 2:11, he says, "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned." These are strong words. Folks, do not let any false Bible teacher deceives you. Christ warns us to beware of false prophets who come to us in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

The problem is that many of these ministers, especially those with many followers, are Narcissistic Sociopaths. Narcissistic-Sociopaths are individuals driven for power and care about anything other than themselves. These people offer no apologies, do not admit guilt, and are never remorseful under any circumstance. The narcissistic minister thinks he is a special gift to the church and makes it richer and colorful; therefore, he cannot be questioned or criticized. I recently saw a minister with a large following in Ghana and other countries pronouncing curses on church members who dare criticize him. That man is a narcissistic sociopath.

These ministers who claim to be Christians pretend as if they have never heard anything about Christ's admonition for us to forgive those who trespass against us. (Luke 11:4; Matthew 6:12; Luke 17:3-4). Some defend their unchristian behaviors, attitudes, and leadership by referring to 2 Kings 2:23-24, where some children mocked the prophet Elisha, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord, and two female bears came out of the wood and tore them up.

The problem with these ministers is that they cannot differentiate between historical narratives and didactic teaching of the Bible in biblical interpretation or exegesis. Not every historical narrative is a command to be followed or be repeated. This is because, first, we do not know the circumstances and contexts of the events. Second, we do not know, and we do not understand God's sovereignty or providence. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira died for lying to the Holy Spirit, yet many Christians often lie to the Holy Spirit but are still alive. Now, you see the danger of using historical narrative as a norm. So, do not let false Bible teachers and prophets read their self-serving interpretation into the scriptures to deceive you and abuse you.