Bible Pathway - July 27
Read Proverbs 27 – 31
Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar (Prov. 30:5-6).
This is a commentary that says so very much about the Word of God! The focus is not just on the Bible. We are shown how God responds to us as we interact with His Word.
First, we are told that the Bible is “pure”. Webster defines pure as being “unmixed with any other matter” or “free from dust, dirt, or taint.” The Bible definitely has nothing in it but the Word of God. The Bible is in no way contaminated with anything from this world. Yes, it was written by human men: human men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write every word they penned. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).
Because the Word of God is all this, we should follow it without wavering. Doing this reveals the trust that we have in the Lord. The Scripture says that God will protect us from the attack of the enemy. Knowing and applying the Word to our lives offers us much protection. The devil knows that the Bible and its words, if believed and lived, are a powerful weapon against him.
However, there is a warning given against tainting the Word of God. We should never try to add to His Word or, for that matter, take away from it. This will bring the discipline of God into our lives. This can be a very dangerous move when it comes to matters of the soul. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (Rev. 22:18-19).
When we try to add to God's Word, we show our lack of trust in God and His Word. How is this so? If we fully trusted God and His Word, there would be no need to change either of them. We act in disobedience with these actions. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: where unto also they were appointed (1 Pet. 2:8).
God's Word is meant to be followed to the letter. Half obedience is disobedience. God's Word is given to us as our operation manual for life. We follow the manual, the Bible, and we live our lives in the right way. If we don't follow the manual, before long we find our lives broken from our misuse. If this happens, we must go to the Creator of all life to have ourselves repaired. Hopefully, we will then follow His Instructions.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24).
Thought for Today:
If you are successful, remember that it is God who gives the ability. (Deut. 8:17-18)
Christ Revealed:
As the One who descended from and ascended to heaven (Prov. 30:4). Jesus came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is (now) in heaven (John 3:13).
Word Studies:
27:16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, Restraining a contentious woman is like attempting to hold the wind; 28:11 searcheth him out, sees through him; 28:14 that feareth alway, who is always reverent; 28:17 stay, help; 29:10 seek his soul, has concern for his well-being; 30:23 odious, hateful.
Prayer Suggestion: Revere and worship the Lord with godly fear and you will have no want (Ps. 34:9).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:9
