According to the Farlex online dictionary, the definition of “cherry-pick” is “to choose or take the best or most profitable of (a number of things), especially for one's own benefit or gain.”
Concerning the discussion of this writing, this definition would apply to the act of selecting certain verses from the Bible in order to give credence to a particular belief or viewpoint, without regard to scriptural context, proper application, or interpretation without contradiction of other passages which deal with the same subject.
Proof texting, a form of cherry picking, can easily lead to wrong conclusions regarding what is the truth of God. Those who proof text are more concerned with proving what they have already decided is correct than they are with making sure they are using a passage honestly.
God condemns “cherry-picking” in this sense. In fact, the blood of lost souls will be upon those who fail to teach the “whole counsel” of the Bible (Acts 20:26-27). Based upon the preceding scripture reference, it is possible for a person to never teach error, and yet, be guilty of violating this command. How so? By failing to teach all of God’s word. “Adding to” or, “taking away” from God’s word is a very serious matter (Rev. 22:18).
Sometimes when discussing a passage of scripture one side may choose to defend their position by stating, “That’s just your interpretation.” And they are correct. It is impossible to apply instruction unless interpretation first occurs. But all concerned parties must also agree that when a discrepancy concerning a Bible passage occurs, then, one or all interpretations are incorrect. All interpretations can be wrong, but all cannot be right. Between two differing thoughts at least one interpretation is erroneous.
So how may it be known that a passage from the Bible has been interpreted correctly?
First: Those who believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God also accept that there are no mistakes/contradictions in His holy book. There are those who claim that man, through the years have made changes, and have made it impossible for us to know what God originally had intended through inspiration. Those people obviously do not believe in an all-powerful God, who can, and did, make sure His word would endure forever (Matthew 24:35). Try as they may, unexplainable accusations of inaccuracies within different versions of the Bible do not exist.
Second: God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). Jesus said that we could know the truth that sets us free from sin (John 8:32). He expects us to be able to understand everything that is necessary for us to know in order to live in a way that is pleasing to Him (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God has given us instruction for all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter1:3). Knowing the truth eliminates “urgings or feelings.” There is no place for “wondering or guessing,” or “personal beliefs.” God means what He says and expects everyone to understand/interpret the truth that sets us free from sin the same way (1 Cor. 1:10).
Third: Concerning interpretation: if my understanding of one passage contradicts the teaching of that same subject in another passage, then, logic and honesty demand that I concede my misunderstanding of one or both passages. Any interpretation needs to consider all other related parts of the Bible. While I can never do less than what one scripture teaches, God may require more because of what He says elsewhere concerning the same subject. Also, evidence such as the period the passage was written, who wrote it, where and to whom the passage was written, should be given consideration in order to reach a correct understanding of what is actually being taught.
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