Ignorant, Stupid or Evil?

(Proverbs 26:16 KJV)  The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

I like books that cite the source of their information.  I am frustrated by people that quote the famous and don’t say where the quote was found.  Why?  Because I may trust the thinking of John Wesley but I don’t trust the accuracy of people who quote him.  I remember a “scholar” quoting Wesley on his concern for the homeless.  He made the mistake of giving his source which I, by coincidence, had just read.  Although the words may have been accurate, they had nothing to do with the homeless.  The man was either ignorant, stupid or a liar. 

We cannot be that way and serve a holy God.  We can make mistakes but they will be less frequent if we will use “reason" (discreet NASB) (2940).  Don’t reuse proof texts that you heard someone else use.  Read the Word yourself.  Quote it yourself.  Use it accurately.  As Paul told Timothy,

(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

So?  To use someone else’s observation, you may be the only Bible some people will read.  Unfortunately that often refers to some who have gone to church all their lives.  Don’t be part of the ignorant in the things of God.