Cathedral of Praise Ministries International (COPMI) Pastor Fred Abok, has explained how modern pastors misinterpret some Bible verses to pressure congregants into offering tithes and offerings.
Abok, who is equally a motivational speaker, said some pastors misinterpret Luke 6:38 which he says has nothing to do with giving.
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again,” reads Luke 6:38.
He said these pastors don’t understand the word of God and end up passing the wrong message to the believers.
“That scripture has nothing to do with giving. It has all to do with submission to the mission. But because they simply don’t understand because it talks about giving, they think it has all to do with giving,” said Abok.
Modern Pastors Focus on Givings
He stated that every interpretation of the Bible happens with a question, not just an answer.
For this reason, Pastor Fred Abok argues that pastors must ask themselves these questions before relaying them to their church members.
“Every conclusion of the message is based on a question, today the conclusion of the message is based on the seed and giving, and not on turning people to the Lord and renewing their focus,” he said.
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Pastors Should Have Personal Bible Study
Additionally, Abok urged pastors to have personal Bible study sessions before going out to preach the gospel.
“There is a difference between preparing a summon and having a personal Bible Study. Get to toe be authentic in the word, let it be enriched in you first so that when you speak it out, you speak from experience and what it has done for you,” he stated.
He also called on pastors to understand the historical background of the Bible adding that every scripture from Genesis to Revelation answers each other.
According to him, they must know the audience each verse is directed to as well as the reason and a purpose of the Scripture.
“If we cannot get into the bottom analysis of the word chances are high that we may misinterpret the word,” he explained.
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Four Important Principles While Interpreting the Word
He advised preachers to understand four things before interpreting the Bible: the background, content, reason and purpose of that word.
“Then when we get to understand those four principles, we get to relate and put ourselves into that situation. How are we in that process and purpose, how do we relate to that congregation and why is that word for that particular time?” he added.
Pastor Abok said modern preachers are full of themselves and interpret the Bible based on self-episodes.
