"LoopHoles"
for Sinners

nivlooph.jpg

Or Why
the Devil
Wants You
to Use
the NIV

JESUS CHRIST TAUGHT that a person
    must be born again.   He referred to a
    spiritual birth.   Such spiritual regeneration
is necessary because man is born spiritually
dead, possessing a sin nature the Bible calls "the
flesh."   The flesh's natural tendency is to rebel
against God, "Because THE CARNAL MIND is
enmity against God: for IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO
THE LAW OF GOD, neither indeed can be" (Rom.
8:7).   (See also Gal. 5:1).   Quite often, the flesh
will try to evade the commandments of God
by taking advantage of any
"loopholes" it can rationalize
from the Bible's wording.

Satan knows it . . .
The devil, the great tempter of
the flesh, knows all about the
flesh's tendency toward biased
and erroneous interpretation.
He's in favor of any ambiguity
that can be perceived as a
loophole.   The Bible, referring to Satan, says,
"Now THE SERPENT WAS MORE SUBTLE than
any beast of the field which the LORD God had
made.   And he said unto the woman [EVE], YEA,
HATH GOD SAID?" (Gen. 3:1).

From the beginning, the devil's strategy has
been to cast doubt on what God really meant.
He still uses the same subtle tactic--which
brings us to the New International Version (NIV)
of the Bible.

Many people use the NIV because it is
advertised as a translation that strives for "the
fidelity to the thought of the biblical writers."
However, the NIV's attempt to provide the
thought-behind-the-words has resulted in many
ambiguously worded verses.   Verses that provide
potential loopholes for one's rebellious and
opportunistic flesh.   In essence, the NIV is "soft"
on sin; just what the flesh ordered!

Ask yourself:
Who benefits
more from the NIV's
ambiguous wording, the
Spirit or the flesh?

The NIV provides "Loopholes" . . .
Overall, the behavioral standards "required" by
the NIV are considerably lower than those
found in the King James Version.   For example,
in Matthew 15:4, of the KJV, the Bible says,
"For GOD COMMANDED, saying, Honour thy
father and mother..."

There are no ambiguities in the word
"Commanded."   The reader knows immediately
that God is not merely making a suggestion,

      giving advice, nor asking a
      favor.   When God commands
      something, He means,
      unconditionally, DO IT!
         The same verse in the NIV,
      however, says, "For GOD
      SAID      , 'Honor your father and
      mother . . .'

      The word "Said" is ambiguous;
      it can mean a suggestion, an

advice, or even a favor.   Merely saying some-
thing can imply any degree of severity the reader
wants.   The flesh will immediately take
advantage of the non-demanding nature of the
word "said," and lessen the sense of obligation.
The word "said" is, thus, a potential "loophole,"
for anyone not wanting to do what God
"commanded."

And, in case you think we're splitting hairs, the
KJV, in Gen. 2:16, says "God COMMANDED"
Eve not to eat of the tree, while in Gen. 3:1
Satan asked her, "yea, hath God SAID?"
   Obviously, while tempting Eve, it served the
devil's purpose to change God's "command" to
"said."   So why does the NIV make the same
change?   Whose side is the NIV on, God's or the
devil's?!

Let's look at more "loopholes" . . .

LET'S BEGIN with Proverbs 6:16-17 . . .
     KJV - "THESE SIX THINGS doth the Lord hate: yea,
     seven are an abomination unto him: A PROUD LOOK,
a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood..."
NIV - "THERE ARE SIX THINGS the LORD hates, seven that
are detestable to him: HAUGHTY EYES, a lying tongue, hands
that shed innocent blood . . ."
   The NIV makes it sound as if God hates ONLY six things.
Furthermore, of the six, the one that 99.99% of the
population is guilty of, "a proud look," is changed into a term
less condemning.   (Assuming anyone fully understands what
"haughty eyes" are in the first place.)   Couple that with the
next verse and one has to wonder if, according to the NIV, it
is okay to be proud.   Notice Galatians 6:4:
KJV - "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he
have REJOICING IN HIMSELF alone, and not in another."
NIV - "Each one should test his own actions.   Then he can take
PRIDE IN HIMSELF, without comparing himself to somebody
else . . ."

God is often specific when naming sin; any ambiguities can
lead to "loopholes".   Take 1 Corinthians 5:1, for example:
KJV - "It is reported commonly that there is FORNICATION
among you..."
NIV - "It is actually reported that there is SEXUAL
IMMORALITY among you . . ."
   "Sexual immorality" can mean a number of things, leaving
it up to the reader to decide which sin God refers to.
Webster's defines immoral as, "Conflicting with generally or
traditionally held moral principles."   In other words, immorality
is defined by the times; whatever society, at a given moment,
deems unacceptable.   Thus, anyone reading the NIV's version
of this verse, could rationalize that they have not sinned
because their particular sexual act, including fornication
between consenting adults, is not considered "immoral".

We find a somewhat similar loophole in Matthew 19:9:
KJV - "And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his
wife, except it be for FORNICATION, and shall marry another,
committeth adultery: AND WHOSO MARRIETH HER WHICH
IS PUT AWAY DOTH COMMIT ADULTERY."
NIV - "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for
MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS, and marries another woman
commits adultery [the rest is missing]"
   Using the NIV, some could justify a divorce merely because
their wife unfaithfully dated another man!   Also, notice how
the NIV doesn't frown on someone marrying another man's
divorced wife--a loophole many have already used.

2 Tim. 3:3 describes people in the last days as being . . .
KJV - "...Without NATURAL AFFECTION, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, DESPISERS OF THOSE
THAT ARE GOOD..."
NIV - ". . . Without LOVE, unforgiving, slanderous, without
self-control, brutal, NOT LOVERS OF THE GOOD. . ."
   The NIV does not condemn loving animals more than people
(i.e. unnatural affection).   Plus, you don't have to feel bad if
you don't love the person who is trying to do good, as long
as you still love the good they are trying to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 . . .
KJV - "Abstain from all APPEARANCE of evil."
NIV - "Avoid every KIND of evil."
   The NIV implies that you can look as worldly as you want.
A convenient loophole for those who want to start a
"Christian" rock band and dress like the devil.   As long as they
avoid the devil, they can look like him.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 . . .
KJV - "...withdraw yourselves from every brother that
WALKETH DISORDERLY..."
NIV - ". . . keep away from every brother who IS IDLE . . ."
   In other words, the NIV says you can associate with a
rebellious Christian, as long as he is not lazy.

Titus 1:7 describes the requirements of a pastor . . .
KJV - "For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of
God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to
wine, no striker..."
NIV - "Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he

must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick- tempered, NOT
GIVEN TO DRUNKENNESS, not violent . . ."
   NIV implies a pastor can drink booze, as long as he doesn't
get drunk.   (Never mind all the confused lost souls he causes
to stumble into Hell by his social drinking.)

1 Tim. 3:2-3 also describes the requirements of a pastor . . .
KJV - "Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
but patient, not a brawler, NOT COVETOUS..."
NIV - "Not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not
quarrelsome, NOT A LOVER OF MONEY."
   In other words, as a pastor, you can covet, as long as
you're not coveting money.   (Apparently, the NIV ignores the
Ninth and Tenth Commandments.)

2 Timothy 2:15 . . .
KJV - "STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, ....
rightly dividing the word of truth."
NIV - "DO YOUR BEST to present yourself to God as one
approved, . . . . who correctly handles the word of truth."
   In other words, don't feel guilty if you rarely crack your
Bible open.   God knows you're doing the best you can.   (It's
not your fault that there are so many good things to watch
on TV.   Who's got time to read?)

1 Tim. 6:10 . . .
KJV - "For the love of money is THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL: which
while some coveted after..."
NIV - "For the love of money is A ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF
EVIL.   Some people, eager for money . . ."
   In essence, the KJV is saying, don't love money--PERIOD!
While the NIV's wording makes it sound as if you can love
money as long as you are careful.   This is a great loophole for
those on TV who teach that God wants us to be rich.

2 Cor. 10:5.
KJV - "CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS, and every high thing
that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God..."
NIV - "WE DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS and every pretension that
sets itself up against the knowledge of God . . ."
I.e. have ungodly thoughts, just don't argue about them.

Luke 3:14.   You can beat someone but don't rob them . . .
KJV - "...And he said unto them, DO VIOLENCE TO NO
MAN, neither accuse any falsely..."
NIV - ". . . He replied, "DON'T EXTORT MONEY and don't
accuse people falsely . . ."

Mat. 5:44 in the NIV, gets us off the hook!
KJV - "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, BLESS THEM
that curse you, DO GOOD to them that hate you, and pray for
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you..."
NIV - "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those
who persecute you . . ."

Titus 2:14 describes the true Christian . . .
KJV - "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from
all iniquity, and purify unto himself A PECULIAR PEOPLE,
zealous of good works."
NIV - "Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself A PEOPLE THAT ARE
HIS VERY OWN, eager to do what is good."
   God knows that those trying to live the Bible's high
standard are going to seem peculiar to the world.   But the NIV
provides a loophole to any professing "Christian" who wants
to fit in with the world.   (Any professing Christian who fits
right in with this sinful world should examine themselves.   Is
he/she truly saved?)

The Bottom line . . .
Friend, "God is not the author of confusion" (1 Cor. 14:33),
but there is one who is: "But I fear, lest by any means, as
the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so
your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity
that is in Christ."   (2 Cor. 11:3).

Ask yourself: Who benefits more from the NIV's potential
loopholes: the flesh or the Spirit?   God or the devil?   Which
Bible would the devil prefer you read?   Which Bible are you
willing to trust your eternal-bound soul to?

IF you were to die today, are you 100% SURE
you would go to Heaven?   The Bible says
YOU CAN BE SURE (1 John 5:13).

BUT FIRST, you must realize that what keeps you
from going to Heaven are your sins, because:
"...your iniquities [sins] have separated
between you and your God," Isaiah 59:2.
In fact, in God's eyes YOU ARE A SINNER: "For
all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.

SECONDLY, you must realize that there is
NOTHING you can do to save yourself and earn
Heaven: "For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: Not of works, lest any
man should boast."   (Eph. 2:8-9)   Baptism, good
deeds, church membership, self-righteousness are
all examples of good works that cannot save you,
because, "Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he [Christ] saved
us," Titus 3:5.

THE ONLY WAY you can get saved is through
Jesus Christ.   He said: "I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me."   (John 14:6)   THAT'S
WHY: "...while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us."   Romans 5:8-9

THEREFORE: You must REPENT (change your
mind); admit that you are a Hell deserving sinner
and can't save yourself.   And call upon Christ, and
Him alone, to save you.   "if thou shalt confess
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [REPENT], and
shalt believe in thine heart [TRUST] that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved."   Romans 10:9

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