Dad made a profound observation one day... This was around the time that "self esteem" first rolled into the world as a major thought. He said the following (paraphrased)
When a sermon is based on truth it will be filled with scripture references to support the claims made.... But on certain topics those same preachers delivery a sermon that had only one or two half quotes scriptures. When there are only on our two individual verses to support a message, is probably wrong."
I have watched this be true over and over. When speaking about things like self esteem, education, etc... There are a few quoted scriptures at best and then loss of the wisdom of man. On basic points of doctrine there are lots of scripture used.
The lesson here is, when there are few scriptures, be wary. When one had to seek out versus to support what one thinks, be careful. When man is quoted more than god, be skeptical. To many use scripture as a"proof " of their own ideas instead of looking to scripture to find the truth.
Go to the bible to find truth in context. Don't go to prove your beliefs. Trust messages that use multiple scriptures taken in context more than those that simply spout versus independently. Check how many times the bible is used versus quotes from people.
An example is the classic "love your neighbor as you love yourself". This is often used to claim that you must love yourself first in order to live your neighbor... It is quoted to give proof thar man's biggest problem is not loving oneself enough. You can't give what you don't have. Etc... Etc. Ironically though, if you read this scripture in context and align with the bible message you find the exact opposite throughout. Jesus is saying that everyone already lives themself, we should love or neighbor that much. Jesus taught that wet have to give up our own self, die to self, not cherish it. Love of self is the problem, not the solution. Sermons and writings pushing the self love, self esteem concepts have few scriptures to rely on , and they are taken without the context of scripture.
So be careful, with the truth of god vs the precepts of man. They usually clash.
