Luke 10:25–37

Don’t Change the Word of God—Let the Word of God Change You.
A Bible Study on Luke 10:25–37
One of the oldest tricks of the enemy is to make people question or distort what God has said.
In the Garden of Eden, the serpent approached Eve with the question:
“Did God really say…?” — Genesis chapter 3 verse 1 New Living Translation
Satan questioned God’s command, contradicted its consequences, and tempted Eve to look at God’s Word through the lens of what she desired.
That same danger still exists today.
Sometimes the problem isn’t that we don’t know what Scripture says.
The problem is that Scripture says something we don’t want to obey, so we’re tempted to reinterpret it until it becomes comfortable.
Instead of allowing God’s Word to correct us, we try to make God’s Word agree with us.
Luke chapter 10 verses 25–37 gives us a powerful example of this.
A religious expert knew God’s Law extremely well. But when Jesus brought God’s command close to his own heart, the man tried to justify himself.
And that’s where Jesus told the story we know as the Good Samaritan.
Main message:
We should never bend Scripture around our desires. When God’s Word exposes something in us, the proper response is humility, repentance, and obedience—not trying to explain away what God has said.
Historical Context — Who Was the “Expert in Religious Law”?
Luke tells us:
“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus…” — Luke chapter 10 verse 25 New Living Translation
Some translations call him a lawyer.
This doesn’t mean he was primarily a courtroom attorney like we think of today.
He was an expert in the Law of Moses—especially the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament.
He had spent significant time studying and interpreting Scripture.
So this isn’t an ignorant man asking Jesus a question.
He knows the Bible.
But knowing Scripture and submitting to Scripture are not automatically the same thing.
Luke also tells us that he came to test Jesus.
So his question wasn’t presented simply as a humble request for guidance.
He asks:
“Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
And Jesus answers with a question.
Luke chapter 10 verse 26 — “How Do You Read It?”
Jesus says:
“What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” — New Living Translation
That’s a powerful question.
Jesus doesn’t immediately give him new information.
He essentially says:
“You know the Scriptures. What do they actually say?”
And that’s a question every Christian should regularly ask.
Not:
“What do I want this verse to mean?”
Not:
“How can I make this support what I already believe?”
But:
“What did God actually say, and am I willing to obey it?”
That’s one of the safest ways to approach Scripture.
We don’t bring the Bible underneath our opinions.
We bring our opinions underneath the Bible.
A Major Danger: Reading the Bible Only to Prove Yourself Right
It’s possible to approach Scripture with a conclusion already decided.
Then instead of asking:
“Lord, teach me.”
we ask:
“Where can I find a verse that supports me?”
If we isolate verses from their context, ignore other Scriptures, or force meanings into the text that aren’t there, we can make the Bible appear to support ideas it never actually teaches.
That’s why Paul told Timothy:
“Correctly explain the word of truth.” — 2nd Timothy chapter 2 verse 15 New Living Translation
The goal of Bible study isn’t winning an argument.
The goal is knowing and obeying truth.
Luke 10 and 27 — The Lawyer Gives the Right Answer
The man answers Jesus:
“You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” — NLT
He’s combining Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 5 and Leviticus chapter 19 verse 18.
And Jesus tells him:
“Right!… Do this and you will live!”
His theology sounds correct.
He knows the verses.
He gives the right answer.
But Jesus is about to expose something deeper:
Does he actually want to live what he knows?
That’s where Scripture becomes personal.
It’s one thing to know:
“Love your neighbor.”
It’s another thing when God asks:
“Are you loving the person you would rather avoid?”
Luke 10 and 29 — “The Man Wanted to Justify His Actions”
This is the turning point.
Luke says:
“The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” — NLT
Notice Luke actually tells us his motive.
He wanted to justify himself.
Instead of allowing God’s command to examine him…
he starts looking for a boundary.
In effect:
“Okay, Jesus—but exactly who counts as my neighbor?”
Maybe if “neighbor” can be defined narrowly enough, he can still consider himself obedient.
That’s the danger.
God says:
Love.
And we ask:
“Exactly how much?”
God says:
Forgive.
We ask:
“But surely not that person?”
God says:
Live holy.
We ask:
“How close to sin can I get without crossing the line?”
Sometimes those questions aren’t coming from a desire to understand Scripture.
They’re coming from a desire to justify what we already want to do.
Let the Word Examine YOU First
Jesus taught something similar in Matthew chapter 7.
Before worrying about the speck in somebody else’s eye, deal with the plank in your own.
That doesn’t mean Christians can never correct one another.
It means Scripture should examine me first.
It’s easy to read:
a verse about pride…
and immediately think of someone proud.
A verse about greed…
and think of someone with money.
A verse about lust…
and think of another person.
A verse about unforgiveness…
and think:
“Someone I know really needs this.”
But sometimes God is saying:
“No. This one is for YOU.”
Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 says God’s Word is:
“alive and powerful… It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” — NLT
God’s Word isn’t simply information.
It exposes what’s happening in our hearts.
And when it exposes us, we shouldn’t fight it.
We should humble ourselves.
Luke chapter 10 verse 30 — Jesus Tells a Story
Rather than getting into an argument about the technical definition of “neighbor,” Jesus tells a story.
A Jewish man is traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho.
This road descended through rugged terrain and had a reputation for danger.
Robbers attack him.
They strip him.
Beat him.
Take what he has.
And leave him:
“half dead beside the road.”
This man desperately needs help.
Then Jesus introduces three people.
First Comes a Priest
A priest sees the injured man.
You would expect:
“Surely he will help.”
He’s religious.
He serves around the things of God.
But Jesus says:
“He crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.”
We aren’t told exactly why.
We should be careful not to invent his motives.
Maybe he was afraid.
Maybe he didn’t want to become involved.
Jesus doesn’t tell us.
What we know is:
He saw a suffering person and did nothing.
Religious position didn’t automatically produce mercy.
Then Comes a Temple Assistant
The NLT calls him a Temple assistant; other translations say Levite.
He also sees the man.
And:
“He also passed by on the other side.”
Again…
religious knowledge.
Religious position.
Religious activity.
But no mercy.
Jesus is exposing something important:
You can be around religion while missing the heart of what God desires.
Jesus wasn’t attacking priests or Levites simply because of their offices.
He’s showing that religious identity without love and mercy is empty.
Then Comes a Samaritan
This would have surprised Jesus’ Jewish audience.
Jewish-Samaritan relationships carried deep historical and religious hostility.
The Samaritans were generally despised by many Jews, and the two communities had longstanding disagreements concerning worship, ancestry, and religious identity.
So when Jesus says:
“Then a despised Samaritan came along…”
the audience probably isn’t expecting him to become the hero.
But that’s exactly what happens.
Luke 10:33 — The Samaritan Had Compassion
The Samaritan sees the injured Jewish man.
And instead of asking:
“Is he one of my people?”
“Would he help me?”
“Does he deserve this?”
Jesus says:
“He felt compassion for him.”
That’s where everything begins.
Compassion moved him to action.
He doesn’t merely say:
“That’s terrible.”
He stops.
Luke chapter 10 verse 34–35 — Mercy Costs Something
The Samaritan:
treats the man’s wounds,
bandages him,
puts him on his own animal,
takes him to an inn,
cares for him,
pays the innkeeper,
and promises to cover additional reasonable expenses.
His mercy costs him:
TIME.
He stopped his journey.
COMFORT.
He gave the injured man his transportation.
MONEY.
He paid for his care.
EFFORT.
He personally helped him.
Biblical love isn’t only:
“I feel sorry for you.”
Sometimes love says:
“Your need is going to cost me something, and I’m still willing to help.”
Luke 10 and 36 — Jesus Changes the Question
Remember the lawyer’s question:
“Who is my neighbor?”
He seems to be asking:
“Who qualifies for my love?”
But Jesus turns the question around:
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” — NLT
Do you see the difference?
The lawyer asks:
“Who is MY neighbor?”
Jesus asks:
“Will YOU BE a neighbor?”
That’s powerful.
Instead of trying to determine who deserves your mercy…
become the person who shows mercy when someone is in need.
Luke 10 and 37 — “Now Go and Do the Same”
The lawyer answers:
“The one who showed him mercy.”
Interestingly, Luke records him saying “the one who showed him mercy” rather than simply saying “the Samaritan.” We can’t know for certain why he phrased it that way, so we shouldn’t speculate too strongly.
Then Jesus says:
“Yes, now go and do the same.”
Jesus brings him right back to obedience.
He didn’t need another theological debate.
He needed to live what God’s Word already taught him.
KNOWING THE COMMAND WASN’T ENOUGH.
He needed to:
DO IT.
The Main Problem Wasn’t His Knowledge
This man knew Scripture.
His answer to Jesus was correct.
His problem was what Luke tells us plainly:
“He wanted to justify his actions.”
That’s where all of us have to be careful.
Sometimes God’s Word hits an area we don’t want touched.
And we can respond in two ways.
RESPONSE #1 — JUSTIFY MYSELF
“But…”
“Technically…”
“That’s not what it means for me…”
“My situation is different…”
RESPONSE #2 — HUMBLE MYSELF
“Lord, Your Word is right.”
“Show me where I need to change.”
“Forgive me.”
“Help me obey You.”
That’s the response God desires.
Don’t Twist Scripture to Excuse Sin
This principle goes far beyond the Good Samaritan.
Suppose Scripture clearly says sexual immorality is sinful.
We don’t redefine sexual morality because culture changes.
If Scripture tells us to forgive…
we don’t change the definition because someone hurt us badly.
If Scripture warns against pride…
we don’t call arrogance “confidence” simply because we don’t want correction.
If Scripture teaches generosity…
we don’t ignore it because we’re attached to money.
If Scripture tells us to love our enemies…
we don’t create loopholes because we don’t like somebody.
God’s Word isn’t supposed to bend around us.
We are supposed to submit ourselves to God’s Word.
But Biblical Accuracy Matters Here Too
There’s another side to this.
“Don’t change God’s Word” doesn’t mean:
“Whatever interpretation I personally have must be God’s interpretation.”
We can sincerely misunderstand Scripture.
That’s why we need:
context,
careful study,
humility,
comparison with the rest of Scripture,
and willingness to admit when we’ve interpreted something incorrectly.
Being unwilling to change our interpretation can actually become another form of pride.
The goal isn’t:
“Never change what I believe.”
The goal is:
“Never change what GOD has said—but always be willing to let Scripture correct what I believe.”
That’s an important difference.
Be Careful Who Influences Your Understanding of Scripture
The speaker in the original message also makes a worthwhile practical point:
Be careful who you allow to shape your theology.
Scripture warns repeatedly about false teachers.
But don’t determine whether someone is false merely because they disagree with you.
Ask:
Are they handling Scripture faithfully?
Are they reading verses in context?
Does their teaching agree with the broader witness of Scripture?
Does their interpretation excuse behavior that Scripture clearly condemns?
Acts chapter 17 praises the Bereans because:
“They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” — Acts chapter 17 verse 11 NLT
That’s the attitude we need.
Even when someone is a preacher…
Check the Word.
Genesis chapter 3 and Luke chapter 10 Connect in an Interesting Way
In Genesis:
Satan questioned God’s Word.
“Did God really say…?”
In Luke chapter 10:
The lawyer knew God’s Word but wanted to justify himself.
These aren’t identical situations, but they reveal a similar danger:
What happens when God’s Word stands between us and something we want?
Do we submit?
Or do we start looking for a way around it?
That’s where spiritual deception can begin.
What Should I Do When God’s Word Corrects Me?
Here’s a simple process.
READ IT
Ask:
“What does the passage actually say?”
UNDERSTAND IT
Study the context.
Who was speaking?
To whom?
Why?
APPLY IT TO ME FIRST:
Before thinking about everyone else, ask:
“Lord, what are You showing me?”
HUMBLE YOURSELF
If Scripture proves you wrong…
let yourself be wrong.
There’s freedom in saying:
“God is right. I need to change.”
OBEY:
Jesus didn’t tell the lawyer:
“Great Bible discussion!”
He said:
“Now go and do the same.”
Truth is meant to be lived.
A Modern Example:
Imagine someone has been holding bitterness toward another person for years.
Then they read Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness.
Immediately they begin thinking:
“But Jesus doesn’t understand what this person did to me.”
Then they start searching for interpretations that allow them to keep the bitterness.
That’s exactly where we have to stop.
Instead say:
“Lord, this hurts. I don’t feel like forgiving. But Your Word is right. Help me obey You.”
That doesn’t mean pretending the wrong didn’t happen.
It doesn’t mean removing every healthy boundary.
It means refusing to twist God’s command in order to protect something inside us that God wants to change.
How to Remember Luke chapter 10 verses 25–37
Remember these four words:
QUESTION:
The lawyer asks Jesus about eternal life.
SCRIPTURE
Jesus asks:
“What does God’s Word say?”
JUSTIFY:
The lawyer tries to justify himself by asking:
“Who is my neighbor?”
MERCY:
Jesus shows him through the Samaritan:
Stop looking for loopholes and start showing mercy.
The easiest sentence to remember:
The lawyer knew the Word, but when the Word challenged him personally, he tried to justify himself. Jesus taught him not to redefine “neighbor” around his preferences, but to become a neighbor by showing mercy.
Final Message:
The danger isn’t only not knowing the Bible.
Sometimes the greater danger is knowing enough Bible to twist it around what we already want.
God’s Word was never given to become clay in our hands.
We are the clay.
God’s truth should shape us.
So when Scripture challenges your pride…
let it.
When Scripture exposes your lust…
let it.
When Scripture confronts your greed…
let it.
When Scripture challenges your unforgiveness…
let it.
When Scripture shows you that something you’ve believed is wrong…
humble yourself and let God correct you.
Don’t read Scripture constantly thinking:
“Who else needs this?”
Sometimes stop and ask:
“Jesus, what are You saying to ME?”
Because spiritual maturity isn’t learning how to make the Bible agree with you.
Spiritual maturity is becoming humble enough to change when the Bible shows that YOU are wrong.
Key Takeaway:
Don’t change God’s Word to fit your life. Let God’s Word change your life. Read Scripture honestly, in context, apply it to yourself first, and when God exposes something in you, choose humility and obedience instead of self-justification.