Does God Ever Use Something Unapproved To Teach Something Approved?

On Facebook on 8-12-2026 my friend and brother Perry asked a very astute question – “Is there an example of Jesus using an unapproved example to imitate something approved?” Perry was thinking that since our Christian battle is compared to a soldier (for example in II Tim 2:3), then that would authorize us being a literal soldier (fighting in war for our country). I posted the following response because I thought the question is important to that and maybe several other issues …

In Luke 16:1-13 Jesus is not commending the dishonesty of the unjust steward, but the preparation for the future by the steward. The point is the children of light would do well to prepare as much for their spiritual future as the children of this world (in this case, the unjust steward) prepare for their physical future. In Matt 18:17b Jesus uses the erroneous practice of how the Jews treated the Gentiles to say that is exactly how we (in the church age) should treat a Christian withdrawn from. In I Cor 15:29 Paul is referring to a false doctrine (baptism for the dead) to help substantiate a true doctrine (the resurrection). Another illustration: Rahab was not commended for her prostitution or lying in Joshua 2, but for her faith – Heb 11:31.

I use this tactic (use a bad example to make a good point) quite frequently in my studies with non-Christians when I point out how excessively devoted my cousin is to Alabama football (he attends all the far away games and makes large donations, but totally neglects church similarly). We should be so devoted to the Lord and His cause. Other good examples posted in reply to Perry’s question were the unrighteous judge in Luke 18:1-8, the binding of the strong man to “plunder his house” (NKJV) in Matt 12:29, and Jesus coming as a “thief” in the night in I Thess 5:2 (Jesus coming unexpectedly like a thief does not authorize us to be a thief).

Yes, the Bible sometimes uses unapproved examples to demonstrate something approved. Jesus was the master teacher.

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