In the context of the Bible, the concept of "twists" can be understood both literally and metaphorically. The term often refers to the act of distorting or perverting something from its original or intended form. This can apply to physical objects, words, or even moral and spiritual truths.

Literal Twists

The Bible occasionally uses the imagery of twisting in a literal sense, often to describe physical actions or objects. For example, in the construction of the Tabernacle, specific instructions were given for twisting materials together. Exodus 26:1 describes the making of the Tabernacle curtains: "Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them." Here, the twisting of linen and yarn is a part of the craftsmanship that reflects the beauty and intricacy of God's dwelling place among His people.

Metaphorical Twists

More frequently, the Bible uses the concept of twisting in a metaphorical sense, particularly in relation to truth and righteousness. Twisting words or truth is often associated with deceit and wickedness. In Psalm 56:5, David laments the actions of his enemies: "All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise." This verse highlights the malicious intent behind the distortion of words, a tactic used by the wicked to undermine and harm the righteous.

The twisting of truth is also a significant theme in the prophetic books. In Isaiah 5:20, the prophet warns against those who pervert moral truths: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter." This twisting of moral standards is condemned as a grave sin, reflecting a rebellion against God's established order.

Twisting of Scripture

The New Testament addresses the twisting of Scripture, a concern for the early Church and a warning for believers. In 2 Peter 3:16, Peter speaks of those who distort the teachings of Paul: "He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction." This passage underscores the danger of misinterpreting or deliberately altering the Word of God, leading to spiritual ruin.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The act of twisting is often associated with moral corruption and spiritual deception. Proverbs 12:19 states, "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment." The contrast between truth and lies highlights the transient nature of deceit and the enduring quality of truth. Twisting truth is seen as a temporary and ultimately futile endeavor, as God's truth prevails.

In the broader biblical narrative, the twisting of truth and morality is a reflection of the fallen human condition. It serves as a reminder of the need for discernment and adherence to God's Word. Believers are called to uphold truth and resist the temptation to distort or compromise it for personal gain or societal acceptance.

Conclusion

The concept of twists in the Bible, whether literal or metaphorical, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity, truthfulness, and faithfulness to God's Word. The warnings against twisting truth and the consequences of such actions are clear, urging believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to righteousness and truth.

Such are the Doctrines which are to be Found in These Works of ...
... There is no room for any of these twists and turns for which you blame others: for
it is just when you are doing penance and have been converted, when you have ...
/.../27 such are the doctrines.htm

Book v. --General Reply to Sundry of Marcion's Heresies.
... 20 Expected long since, with the holy Seed. This fifth doth many twists
and knots untie,. Rolls wholly into sight what ills soe'er. ...
/.../book v general reply to sundry.htm

Come Now, if Some Philosopher Affirms, as Laberius Holds...
... holds, following an opinion of Pythagoras, that a man may have his origin from a
mule, a serpent from a woman, and with skill of speech twists every argument ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xlviii come now if.htm

The Life-Giver and Judge
... proved His wickedness. How formalism twists men's judgments of the relative
magnitude of form and spirit! Jesus' vindication of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the life-giver and judge.htm

Letter Xlii. To Marcella.
... If Novatian absurdly twists Peter's words, "I know not the man," [899] to mean a
denial not of Christ's Messiahship but of His humanity, he will make the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlii to marcella.htm

He Then Clearly and Skilfully Criticises the Doctrine of the ...
... as though he were addressing his harangue to brutes, or senseless beings "which
have no understanding [662] ," he twists his argument about in contrary ways ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 7 he then clearly.htm

The Timber
... at strife? Footnotes: [134] storms resent, apparently means that the trunk
groans or twists. [135] resentient, sympathetic feeling. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxxii the timber.htm

In Charging Basil with not Defending his Faith at the Time of the ...
... reasons, but compelled to do so on behalf of those who went security for me, is
clear from facts and also from this man's words." He adroitly twists his words ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 9 in charging basil.htm

Types of Talkers
... He alters his course as often as the crooked way of his subject changes. He twists,
turns, and diverges without the slightest inconvenience to himself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/types of talkers.htm

The Earthquake (Preached October 11, 1863. )
... in the coal and iron districts of the west and north-west, where it is easy to see
that earthquakes were once common, by the cracks, twists and settlements in ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xv the earthquake preached.htm

Twists (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Twists (12 Occurrences). ... Exodus 26:5 Fifty twists on one
curtain and fifty on the other, the twists to be opposite one another. (BBE). ...
/t/twists.htm - 9k

Group (32 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:4 And you are to put twists of blue cord on the edge of the outside curtain
of the first group of five, and on the edge of the outside curtain of the ...
/g/group.htm - 16k

Cord (47 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:4 And you are to put twists of blue cord on the edge of the outside curtain
of the first group of five, and on the edge of the outside curtain of the ...
/c/cord.htm - 27k

Outside (215 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:4 And you are to put twists of blue cord on the edge of the outside curtain
of the first group of five, and on the edge of the outside curtain of the ...
/o/outside.htm - 36k

Twisting (13 Occurrences)

/t/twisting.htm - 10k

Joining (43 Occurrences)
... YLT). Exodus 26:11 Then make fifty brass hooks and put the hooks into the
twists, joining the tent together to make it one. (BBE). ...
/j/joining.htm - 19k

Jaakan (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary He twists, one of the sons of Ezer, the son of Seir the
Horite (1 Chronicles 1:42). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAAKAN. ...
/j/jaakan.htm - 7k

Twist (5 Occurrences)
... of parts. 5. (vt) To wind into; to insinuate; -- used reflexively; as,
avarice twists itself into all human concerns. 6. (vt) To ...
/t/twist.htm - 10k

Thrower (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who throws. Specifically: (a) One who throws
or twists silk; a throwster. (b) One who shapes vessels on a throwing engine. ...
/t/thrower.htm - 6k

Twitter (1 Occurrence)

/t/twitter.htm - 7k

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