“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Our Responsibility in Choosing Wisely
As we think about “cherry picking,” we realize that it reflects the importance of making thoughtful and wise decisions in our spiritual journey. It is tempting to take only the parts of God’s teachings that fit our desires or situations, but we must remember that God’s Word is a complete narrative. Every part has significance, and ignoring certain teachings can mislead us. By embracing the entirety of scripture, we fortify our faith and understanding. Looking at everything means we recognize the full message of love, grace, and guidance in our lives. When we choose wisely, we empower ourselves in our relationship with God and enrich our journey.
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” – Colossians 3:16
The Impact of Selective Listening
Cherry picking can also lead to selective listening, where we may tune our ears to only hear the parts of God’s message that resonate with our opinions or desires. This behavior can easily distort our understanding and relationship with Christ. It’s essential that we cultivate a spirit that seeks all truth, even when it challenges our comfort zones. Engaging with the entirety of scripture helps prevent misunderstandings about God’s character and intentions for us. Together, we must actively learn to listen to God with open hearts, allowing all of His words to speak into our lives, guiding us toward the fullness of His love.
Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” – Isaiah 30:21
Romans 10:17
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” – Romans 10:17
Matthew 4:4
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” – Matthew 4:4
Luke 8:18
“Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.” – Luke 8:18
Hebrews 2:1
“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” – Hebrews 2:1
The Dangers of Picking Only What We Prefer
Choosing only what feels comfortable or easy can lead to a serious imbalance in our faith. The Bible challenges us to face tough truths as well as comforting promises. By avoiding certain scriptures because they challenge us or require something difficult of us, we limit our spiritual growth. We must be willing to embrace the entirety of God’s Word, even when it feels inconvenient. Each scripture serves a purpose, guiding us toward true understanding and maturity in faith and enabling us to serve effectively. Allowing ourselves to confront uncomfortable truths helps us grow into the people God created us to be.
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Proverbs 4:7
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7
Philippians 3:14
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14
Proverbs 29:18
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.” – Proverbs 29:18
Healing from Misunderstanding
There may be times in our lives when we have cherry picked parts of scripture, creating confusion or misunderstandings in our faith. It’s important that we recognize these moments as opportunities to restore our relationship with God. By being honest about where we have gone wrong and actively seeking to understand the complete message of the Bible, we can open ourselves up for growth and healing. Engaging with scripture responsibly restores both our understanding and our joy in our walk with Christ. Let us be intentional about returning to God’s Word as a whole, recognizing the importance of every part of it.
Psalm 30:2
“Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.” – Psalm 30:2
James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Psalms 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalms 51:10
The Fulfillment of God’s Whole Word
God’s word has depth and richness that speaks to every circumstance and emotion we face. Cherry picking can lead us to miss the fullness of God’s character and the promises He has for us. Scripture was revealed to guide us in all moments—joyful or challenging. We rob ourselves of the gifts He has for us when we only choose to accept parts of it. We must remind ourselves to read the Bible in its entirety and appreciate how all scriptures point to God’s ultimate plan for redemption. By doing so, we participate fully in His promises.
Matthew 5:18
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” – Matthew 5:18
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
John 8:31-32
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” – John 8:31-32
Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” – Romans 1:16
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Embracing the Fullness of God’s Love
As Christ followers, it is essential to embrace the fullness of God’s love found throughout the chapters of the Bible. Selecting only the parts we like can create a skewed or shallow understanding of His love for us. God’s love is not one-dimensional; it is rich and multifaceted, offering grace for the broken-hearted, peace in chaos, and joy in sorrow. It’s our calling to accept the fullness of this love by studying scripture diligently and allowing every part of His Word to touch our hearts. This way, we can embody and share Christ’s love as we move forward in our lives.
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Ephesians 3:18-19
“May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:18-19
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Colossians 2:9-10
“For in Christ, all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ, you have been brought to fullness.” – Colossians 2:9-10
Final Thoughts
Choosing wisely in our faith and not cherry picking parts of scripture helps us cultivate a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God. We are called to embrace all of His Word, because each verse plays a crucial role in our spiritual growth. When we listen to His teachings in their entirety, we can gain wisdom, make informed decisions, and fully experience the richness of His love.
Reflecting on scripture as a complete body allows us to better understand God’s character and the plans He has for our lives. Through this, we not only support our journey but also those around us. We must work together to grow in faith, helping one another to listen accurately and wholeheartedly.
Let’s take this opportunity to encourage one another to explore all scripture, and not just a selective few. If you want to dive deeper, consider reading about judging others or what scripture says about jumping to conclusions.