Be Careful of Benjamin

(Pro 18:24 KJV) A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

I have heard the phrasing from the second part of the verse used to refer to Jesus.  Although it is a true concept, you can’t get it from this verse.  That is a good illustration of a “preaching point” and a “Biblical truth”.  When we teach and preach we often look for words that support a bigger concept.  It has some value but we need to make sure that what we are saying is really in the Bible.  Think of all the times that Benjamin Franklin is quoted and people think it is scripture.  You have statements like “God helps those who help themselves.”  That is not in the Bible.

So?  Good thoughts are not grounds for Christian Doctrine.  We need to be alert to the difference.  That is only possible if we know the original document.