Untwisting Scriptures to Find Freedom and Joy in Jesus Christ: Book 6 Striving, Dying to Self, and Life

by Rebecca Davis

Have the Scriptures been twisted to keep you in bondage? The real Jesus wants to set you free.Addressing some of the controversial teachings about “striving,” “daily dying to self,” and more, Rebecca Davis untwists Scriptures by looking at word meaning, context, and the heart of God for His people.

You can learn what the Bible really says about striving, what the Bible really teaches instead of dying to self, and what the Bible has to say about life, knowing that if you follow and love the Lord He does not require you to try to engage in ongoing death. Along the way, you may develop a deeper appreciation for who our God really is and what He has done for you.

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There are several authors by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Abigail Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the author’s calm and solid approach to looking at Scriptural teachings and the explaining them in fresh ways, in context. The topic of dying to self has been so widely taught and it was eye opening to realize the Bible never actually tells believers to die to themselves. This would be a great little book to discuss with others.

[Elaine Ricker Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her 6th book on Untwisting Scriptures, Rebecca Davis successfully identifies harmful teachings and their biblical sources and explains that these damaging teachings are not, in fact, biblical. She quotes the Bible extensively, giving context, and provides alternative, healing ways of understanding these biblical passages. She presents an untwisted truth, using biblical evidence to oppose the messages telling Christians, mainly women, to deny themselves for other people. The author is honest, authentic, and shares her personal stories and spiritual insights. This brief book would be especially meaningful for those whose beliefs were formed in Fundamentalist, Baptist, or Reformed traditions.

Unlike Rebecca Davis, studying the Bible has brought me to leave evangelicalism. While Davis advocates for victims of spiritual trauma and against teachings that enable abuse against women, I advocate for biblical equality for all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, and I believe Christians need to admit where Christians have caused church hurt and make abusive teachers accountable. This book showed me just how far Fundamentalist, Reformed, and evangelical Christianity has strayed from the Bible.

Davis does a great job moving readers away from harmful, extremist, high-control religion and a bit closer to the freedom and new life described in the Bible.

[Kristin Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had conversations with people, heard teachings, and read scriptures that left me scratching my head. Something just seemed off, yet I couldn't put my finger on it.

Rebecca looks at some scriptures and shines light on how they have been misunderstood and misinterpreted. She looks at the scriptures in full context, along with other scriptures, and with 1st century historical insights.

One chapter particularly impactful to me right now is Chapter 6: So How Do We Please God, Exactly?

Quotes:

"...filled with His Spirit with the love, joy, and peace He offers, and pouring it out to others. THAT is what is 'well pleasing' to Him. When He sees THAT, His heart bursts with delight.

"And it happens as we behold the face of Jesus Christ, in close relationship with Him." (p.153)

"And we can delight to be with Him, as He delights to be with us. Being with Him helps bring about the changes we need in a way that no kind of striving could ever possibly do."

[KL Hewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Davis' Untwisting Scriptures series has been an eye-opener and genuine blessing to me. Her 6th title in the series, “Striving, Dying to Self, and Life,” is no different. Using Scripture to interpret Scripture and using it in context, she thoughtfully, but deliberately unravels the harmful teachings and misconceptions that have been long used to hobble Christians in their faith and keep them bound in fear. It is a challenging, thought-provoking read, but a decidedly freeing one.

Synopsis: “Have the Scriptures been twisted to keep you in bondage? The real Jesus wants to set you free. Addressing some of the controversial teachings about “striving,” “daily dying to self,” and more, Rebecca Davis untwists Scriptures by looking at word meaning, context, and the heart of God for His people.”

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always appreciate these books so I volunteered to be on the book launch team for this one. I love how she unpacked “dying to self” and “die daily” and what that all means. I also appreciated the section on striving.

[Joy Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is vital to combating the dying to self teaching we all grew up with, as well as other twisted teachings. Rebecca writes concisely, knowledgably and humbly and I highly recommend all 6 Untwisting books!

[Kristin Dewane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important

Everyone who claims to follow Christ, especially those who grew up in the church or in an abusive situation, should read this book. Freedom can be found in areas that you didn't even know were bound, and the resulting joy is a beautiful thing. Thank you Rebecca.