It may seem strange to talk about scripture being "dangerous," but scripture challenges us to "accurately handle the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

So what verses or passages might be considered "dangerous"?

What makes a verse "dangerous?"

The first step to identifying "dangerous" Scripture passages is to understand what makes a passage dangerous. Consider these characteristics:

1. Confusing, leading to misunderstanding. A confusing passage could lead someone to misunderstand it. Misunderstanding could, in turn, lead to wrong actions or beliefs.
2. Susceptible to misinterpretation or often taken out of context. A passage that is taken out of context might lead believers to wrong interpretations. Unfortunately, wrong interpretations are often magnified by a misplaced dogmatic defense of them, causing division within the Body of Christ over matters that are not central to the Christian faith.

This does not mean that Christians should ignore such verses; God inspires all scripture and is beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Instead, Christians should approach these passages carefully, depending on the Holy Spirit for direction and understanding.

What are the most "dangerous" verses?

"For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame" (Hebrews 6:4-6).

Why is this passage dangerous?

Because it might convince someone who has stumbled in their journey that there is no hope or help for them; if that is indeed true, then why would John write that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous so that He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness? John is writing to believers – those who "have been enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift and have been partakers of the Holy Spirit." So clearly, the writer of Hebrews does not mean that just any stumble constitutes a "falling away."

Thus, "falling away" must mean a continued and willful rejection of God – a "turning away" from God of the same level that our repentance constitutes a "turning away" from sin and toward God. But if that happens, is it really "impossible" for us to turn back to God? The writer of Hebrews does not say such people can't be restored, but to "restore them." But true repentance is a gift of God, not merely a human work. Therefore, people may not be able to restore themselves, but surely it is not impossible for God – because nothing is impossible for God! (Matthew 19:26).

"And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him" (Luke 12:10).

Why is this dangerous? For two reasons: first, because it seems to minimize the seriousness of "speaking against the Son of Man"; second, because it seems to say that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. But doesn't Jesus say that?

What Jesus says is that the one who "blasphemes" against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. So what does it mean to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit? The key is in Jesus' use of the present tense, "blasphemes against." He does not say "whoever commits blasphemy" or "whoever has blasphemed." This may seem like splitting hairs, but Jesus is likely saying that whoever continues to blaspheme against the spirit will not be forgiven. Why? Because an ongoing rejection of the spirit is fundamentally inconsistent with the repentance which would lead to forgiveness. Jesus is likely saying that hardening oneself against the spirit creates an attitude that makes true repentance impossible and thus makes forgiveness impossible. If the spirit grants a person the spirit of repentance, however, repentance and restoration are possible.

"Do not judge, so that you will not be judged" (Matthew 7:1).

If there is one verse that most unbelievers know, Matthew 7:1 would be a likely choice. Whenever a Christian identifies behavior that the Bible describes as sinful, the response comes back, "Don't judge! You're not supposed to judge!" The danger in this verse is that Christians often do not understand what it means to judge. In the Biblical sense, to "judge" someone means to pronounce eternal judgment on them – to use the vernacular, to tell them that they're "going to hell." It is not the job of individual believers to convict others of sin; Jesus says that's the Holy Spirit's job (John 16:8).

The best example of this kind of judgment is in John 8 when the religious leaders bring a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. Jesus does not deny that the woman's actions were sinful. At the end of the account, He tells her not to sin any longer (John 8:11). However, He also tells her accusers that the one who is without sin should be the first to throw a stone at her. They all leave because they realize that they cannot meet that standard.

Nor can anyone else except Jesus. But to say that we are not to "judge" does not mean that we cannot proclaim the truth of scripture. The Bible identifies sinful behaviors and attitudes. Christians cannot ignore that teaching, nor can they contradict it. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…" (Isaiah 5:20). Christians bear witness to the truth of scripture, allow the Holy Spirit to convict people, and allow God to judge.

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come" (John 16:13).

Why is this verse dangerous? Frankly, because it causes many people to believe that they don't need to listen to anyone else. This is clearly inconsistent with the overall message of scripture. Paul tells us in several places that teaching is a spiritual gift. He also says that Jesus has given teachers to the church to equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). Why would Christ give "teachers" to the church for the equipping of the saints if those saints did not need teachers?

Many other verses or passages of scripture could be dangerous if not understood and applied correctly. As noted above, "danger" in this sense comes from the Scriptures, which leads to misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and discouragement.

The way scriptures are used can also be dangerous if it tends to divide the church rather than unite it. As John Wesley said, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity." Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, as He and the Father are one (John 17:22). Scripture should bring believers together!

Scripture can be dangerous when it is used improperly. "For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).