Sometimes we lift the right idea from the wrong place in the Bible. This kind of "misuse" can be the most difficult to spot because we have a good, biblical idea, but we are getting it from the wrong place. If we are committed to studying the Bible in a responsible, accurate way, then we want to avoid this mistake (2 Tim 2:15).

Unfortunate Outcomes of Misusing Verses

When we allow ourselves (either knowingly or unknowingly) to misuse Bible verses, then we invite some unfortunate outcomes to occur. Young people in your church, for instance, may eventually discover that the adults in their church regularly misused a particular Bible verse. This discovery may cause them to doubt many other things they heard and learned in church. They may conclude that the adults they followed were either being dishonest (deliberately twisting the Bible) or naive (and therefore not factually or intellectually reliable).

They may conclude that the adults they followed were either being dishonest or naive.

Another unfortunate outcome may occur when we misuse Bible verses, even for good reasons and even when we arrive at good conclusions. This mistake opens the door for using even more Bible verses the wrong way, which may lead to even more grave results, such as making poor decisions (thinking they are good) and concocting wrong and unusual doctrine (thinking it is sound).

Lifting a Good Idea from the Wrong Text

One common example of promoting a right idea from the wrong place in the Bible is how many well-meaning believers apply John 12:32, which says, "I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to myself."

Sometimes we use this verse to underscore the importance of “lifting up” or “exalting” the Lord in worship. We might say, "Let us lift of the Lord today in our worship service. As we worship Jesus, people will be drawn to him," and then we will quote John 12:32. But this verse is not portraying worship.

Other times we use this verse to emphasize the importance of “lifting up” or “exalting” the Lord through evangelism by telling other people about him. But once again, that is not what this verse is talking about. It is not speaking about "exalting the Lord" through street preaching, door-to-door evangelism, or even a gospel-preaching church service. This is not a promise that if we evangelize, many people will be converted.

Now both of these ideas are good and right ideas. We should exalt the name of the Lord in worship, and we should exalt the name of the Lord in outreach. But to teach and promote these truths, you must look to other passages of Scripture. John 12:32 is not such a place.

Lifting Up Jesus

So what is this verse talking about? Remarkably, John (the gospel writer) told us himself so that we don’t misunderstand. In John 12:33 (the very next verse), he tells us that Jesus was referring specifically to his impending death on the cross.

The disciples wanted Jesus to turn away from the cross because to die on a cross was a shameful experience that would - in their view - prevent his mission. But Jesus insisted otherwise, explaining that it was necessary for him to die. To accomplish his mission he must die on the cross. Without dying on the cross, people from all nations of the world would not be saved. Using the same "lifting up" terminology, Jesus had taught the same thing previously (John 3:14; 8:28).

Without dying on the cross, people from all nations of the world would not be saved.

So, while the Bible does speak of exalting Christ in worship and proclaiming him in evangelism, John 12:32 is not a verse that speaks about these things. Therefore, it is wise to avoid using this verse as a command to worship or a call to evangelize. To use this verse properly, you should praise God for the crucifixion and you should preach the good news of the crucifixion.