[Greek] διαστρέφω (diastrephō), [Latin] pervertere, [Latin] perversus, [Latin] subvertere, [Latin] avertere, [French] ruiner, [French] detourner

[Greek] διαστρέφω (diastrephō), [Latin] pervertere, [Latin] perversus, [Latin] subvertere, [Latin] avertere, [French] ruiner, [French] detourner: to distort, to misinterpret, to corrupt, to turn away, to subvert, to mislead; Mt.17:17, Lk.9:41. Lk.23:2, Acts 13:8,10, Acts 20:30. Php. 2:15

Background:

Greek Hellenism: This term means to twist about, to distort, to misrepresent, to confuse, to pervert, and to turn. Man’s nature, originally oriented to the good, is influenced by bad teaching and questionable environmental influences. This inner attitude of confusion and illusion leads one to be susceptible to change.

Xenophon’s Symposium 7.3: “Turning somersaults in among knives seems to be a dangerous exhibition. Not is it any more diverting to watch the young going through bodily contortions and imitating hoops.”

Hippocrates’ De Articulis 38: “But if the fracture is in the cartilage, the end of the nose must necessarily be distorted.”

Demosthenes’ Exordia 46.2: “Since they have used the privilege of speaking here to distort the truth and making charges that are false and inapplicable to you, it is right that you should consider them unprincipled.”

Aeschylus’ Suppliant Women 1017: “I will not swerve from the former pathway of my thoughts.”

Old Testament: This term means to turn, to overthrow, to refuse, to pervert, to make crooked, to stir up, to expose, to dismiss, to manipulate, and to catch. Moses, in speaking to his people, makes references of a twisted and crooked generation who treats God basely (Deut.32:5).

New Testament: This term means perverse, to mislead, and to turn away. Jesus chides His disciples and unbelievers for their faithless and perverse generation. His disciples did not have the faith to heal a possessed boy. The Jews accused Jesus of misleading by claiming that He opposes paying taxes to Caesar and claiming to be the Messiah. Elymas used his magic to attempt to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul accuses Elymas of twisting the straight paths of the Lord. Paul states that some will come forward in perverting the truth and will draw some away after them. Paul states that one must be blameless and innocent in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

Scripture:

“Jesus said in reply, ‘O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him here to me.’” Mt.17:17

Jesus criticizes them for their lack of faith. They have corrupted themselves with lapses and attachment to idols. They are stained by their wickedness. They are crooked in that their actions are against the nature of God and His law.

“They brought charges against Him saying, ‘We found this man misleading our people; He opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that He is the Messiah, a king.’” Lk.23:2

The Jewish leaders intend to incriminate Jesus. Pilate declares Jesus to be innocent. The Jewish leaders force the hand of the Roman authorities to accede to their wishes to punish Jesus.

“And from your own group, mean will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them.” Acts 20:30

Paul warns that about false prophets and false teachers who will appear among you.

Conclusion:

Pervert, perversion, ruin, subvert, subversion avert, detour

It is important to note that this term can also be used in both a secular or non-religious sense. This term also conveys an intentional and deliberate sense.

When Moses mentions ‘his children’, he refers to the devil’s children, who are a twisted and crooked generation. Paul also makes references to these children. This generation of evil is more associated with the devil.

Luke makes an intentional point of differentiating Christianity from the magical arts. Bar-Jesus was both a magician and false prophet.

Paul essentially had two names: Saul (Jewish name) and Paul (Roman name).

Paul provides timely words in saying to beware of false prophets and false teachers.

Update:  The Biden administration continues to blame everything else (except themselves) for inflation.

The Biden administration would rather focus on imaginary cases with whips rather than securing the border.

Abortion essentially disrupts and destroys the development of human creation and natural order established by God.

Abortion rights supporters would have you believe this all about women’s reproductive rights (but not about moral or spiritual concerns).

A Democratic congresswoman wants all of us to stop using the word ‘abortion’ because of its negative meanings. Many have agreed in that this should be called murder or infanticide.

Social media and the mainstream media still refuse to mention anything about Hunter Biden.

The Jan. 6 commission refuses to mention President Trump’s request to the Pentagon to provide security. This cannot be said because this would go against their political narrative.

Pro-life supporters must be called anti-abortion supporters.

Prizes and medals haven been given to authors and columnists who have created false historical narratives. (1619 Project and the Russian collusion hoax)

Many believe that the Supreme Court should reflect public opinion rather than make legal decisions based on the Constitution.

St. Clement of Rome, the 4th pope, responds to divisions and scandals in Corinth:

“Your division has perverted many; it has brought many to despair, many to doubting, and all of us sorrow. And your sedition still continues.” 1Cl.46:9

It would be foolish to think that fools cannot get into very serious trouble. Recall it was a great fool’s errand that those who sacrificed children were sent to Gehenna. This culture of death may have mislead many in believing that abortion is only about a woman’s rights. Many in recent years have sacrificed their children on the altar of convenience. By changing the definitions of terms (pro-life==> anti-abortion), one can easily be mislead into making choices with serious consequences.  Many, proud of their choices and reason, claim to have wisdom. However, foolishness often appears in the eyes of beholder who also can be fools. God is not fooled. He will judge those who have knowingly perverted and subverted His wisdom and truth. It would be foolish not to receive forgiveness. God often makes fools of those who think they are wise and know better. Those who hear the words but fail to act on them do not have strong ground to stand upon. These can be very serious matters. I am not fooling!

Next post: being foolish and don’t fool around regarding very serious matters