Never Add to God's Word

"These scriptures are indisputable, but how each person applies this to his own life, according to his own sincere convictions, will look differently. The minor details and daily applications of how holiness is to look in each of our lives is a matter we must all work out for ourselves..."

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5)

This passage is important for all of us, but especially those who teach or preach the Word of God. God does not allow us the freedom to add to His Word. At first glance, most would say that they don't, they would never do such a thing. But when you get down to where the rubber meets the road you will often find that many are still teaching and preaching their own convictions. Convictions built upon scriptures, that is no doubt, but those convictions are often not what the scriptures actually say.

Convictions are the interpretation of how scriptures are applied. Here is an example. The scriptures declare to us that we are to be holy just as our God is holy (1 Peter 1:16); even going so far as to say that without holiness no man will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). These scriptures are indisputable, but how each person applies this to his own life, according to his own sincere convictions, will look differently. The minor details and daily applications of how holiness is to look in each of our lives is a matter we must all work out for ourselves. Each must work out his own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

We should be careful what we watch. We should be careful what we eat and drink. We should be careful to be modest. Those principles are clear in the scriptures (as well are many others). However, if God's Word does not define modesty as "wearing a dress that reaches the floor" then we can not say the bible says so. If God's Word does not say that "television or movies become wrong at a certain rating", then we can't say that God's Word says that. If God's Word does not say that a Christian can "only listen to a certain style of music", then we can't say the bible teaches that. Often in our sincere desire to help others move toward holiness, we cross the line of defining for them what holiness is, of course based upon our own convictions. The point is that we must allow people to work out their own salvation; all the while admonishing them to do so with "fear and trembling". We must be very careful to "not add" to the Word of God, "lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."

Paul told Timothy to preach the Word, in season and out of season. That means at all times – preach the Word, not our own convictions. Teach the scriptures accurately and let the Word of God do the same work in others that it has done in you. You will find that the Word of God has more power to change a person’s life than your own convictions ever will.

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