Matthew 18:19 A Point of Contention Within the Body
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” NIV
As stated last week the most important thing to look for when studying the Bible is context of a given scripture. We gave an example of cultural context last week. This week I want to touch on scriptural context. I don’t like to be repetitious but I need to emphasize this point. For the sake of simplicity there is context within a passage, passage within a chapter, chapter in the book being studied, and the Book within the rest of the Bible. In other words we need to use the Bible to clarify itself. Given proper context there should never be a contradiction in the Bible. If there is contradiction, there is error.
There are many very popular preachers that use Matthew 18:19 out of its context. They use it to treat Jesus like a genie. They say if your faith is strong enough and several agree with you in prayer you WILL receive what you ask for. That is not what Matthew 18: 19 is about. There is also much spiritual abuse that can come out of this interpretation as well. If you don’t get what you ask for they will tell you your faith is not strong enough, or worse yet, that you may not even be saved. I even heard one very popular “teacher” say “Don’t give me that will of God stuff”. Can you imagine a man of God heaping this kind of condemnation on somebody? I am here to tell you that kind teaching is from the pit. How do I know this for certain?
1 John 1:9 says: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” NIV
So then it is the will of God is what determines how our prayers are answered. So what about Matthew 18:19? If you start at Matthew 18:15 and read the whole passage in context you will see that the correct interpretation (exegesis for you bible scholars out there) concerns disputes and overt sin among believers.
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'[b] 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[c]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." NIV
Given this clarification there is no longer a conflict with 1 John 5:14. Again I want to emphasize that it is important to use scripture to clarify itself. By simply going back several verses we can clearly see the intended meaning of Matthew 18:19.
The Christian walk is difficult enough without incorrect teaching getting in the way. Always take the time to study on your own and don’t take anybody’s teaching as fact. If something doesn’t hit you right and triggers your discernment look it up, study, and please pray about it.
I hope this has helped somebody today.
Until next time may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
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