March 29, 2021 — Putting Words In God’s Mouth

“Have you ever been in a situation,” Stan asked one morning, “when you heard someone say that you said something you never said?”

“Nothing comes to mind off the top of my head,” I replied.  “How about you?”

“It happened yesterday,” Stan said.  “I overheard someone saying that I had said such and such, when I knew I had never said it.  However, it wasn’t really important, so I didn’t bother saying anything to correct the person.”

“I suppose that could have been a bit awkward anyway,” I commented.

“Yeah, I suppose,” Stan replied, “but the situation reminded me of something I read in the Bible about doing that.”

“Doing what, correcting someone?”

“No,” Stan replied, “Saying that God said something He didn’t say.”

“Why would a person do that?” I asked.

“Could be all sorts of reasons,” he responded.  “Maybe the person doesn’t know God’s word well enough and misquotes or misunderstands it.  Or maybe the person is trying to impress someone else by how well he knows God’s word or voice.  I don’t know.  Could be all sorts of things.  I just know that there’s danger in doing that.”

“What kind of danger?”

“Well, say, for example,” he responded, “I tell you that a certain verse in the Bible means such and such, when what I say is based purely on what I think rather than on what God’s word clearly says.”

“Or suppose,” he continued, “I come here and tell you the Holy Spirit told me to tell you what to do in a certain situation when it’s only me talking based on my own thinking, not really the voice of the Holy Spirit.”

“You might do that?” I asked.

“I hope and pray not,” Stan replied. “I use that example merely to reflect the constant need to be so in tune with God that I speak only what He has for me to speak.  His voice, not mine apart from Him, in every situation.”

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Bible verses to consider:

Do not add to God’s words lest He reprove you, and you be proved to be a liar.  Proverbs 30:6.

You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.  Deuteronomy 4:2

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.  Revelation 22:18-19.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Ephesians 4:30.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for your written word and for your voice through the Holy Spirit. You know how easy it is for me to think I know a whole lot more about you, your word, and your voice than I really do. Please help me in every way I need so I know you, your word, and your voice as well as you intend.  Help me in not adding anything to your word that is from me, not from you, anything that might lead me or another person astray from what your word and voice truly say. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Think on this:  There is a danger in adding to, taking away from, or misrepresenting God’s word.  Do you agree with that?  Why or why not?  Have you ever said to another person something about God’s word that you knew wasn’t true?  If so, what was that all about?  Have you ever tried to impress someone with how much you know about God’s word when, in fact, you weren’t certain about what you were saying?  If so, why? Have you ever taken anything away from God’s word because you didn’t want to obey what it said?  If so, what was that like?