Do not add to His words, or else He will rebuke You and prove you a liar. Proverbs 30:6, TLV
Do We Add to God’s Words? Yikes! This is a scary one, isn’t it? Our loving heavenly Father whom we run to when we need a hug, doesn’t mess around with lies or “almost-truths.”
Sticking with what He says in the Bible is a pretty safe place to be. Sticking with what we have experienced as affirmed by what the word of God says, is a good place to be. That’s a pretty wide vista to live and be safe in. So, what would be considered adding to His words?
One of the ways we can add to God’s words is by our testimonies. Have you ever heard of the term “evangelistically speaking?” Essentially, it is exaggerations or embellishments of a testimony. For example, a testimony may be embellished to make it appear more miraculous or dramatic. It’s mostly truth, just not all the way.
Not only is this embellishment worthy of rebuke, it can invalidate our testimony. Our integrity will be called into question. And, even worse, we can depict the Creator of the Universe as someone so weak He needs us to make Him look good. Which brings us to another way of adding to His words.
God’s Image?
Projecting a more “attractive” or “acceptable” image of God. As sin becomes subjective and accepted as norm, it’s easy to be tempted to “sell” God as a heavenly Santa Claus who forgives all without any accountability. We may shy away from the fact that He is a holy God. That He hates sin. Really hates sin.
That’s why He devised a plan to save us from the penalty of sin. A
plan that involved His own Son giving His life for us. If our Father hating sin isn’t part of how we depict the holiness of our Father, we miss the amazing love and grace of His redemption.
The Hollywood Testimony?
Sharing our faith and testimony as a Hollywood “happily ever after” without the trials and tribulations of living in a fallen world isn’t realistic. Who wouldn’t want a fairy tale story where we ride off into the sunset toward our castle? But what happens when a new follower of Jesus runs into the inevitable trials and tribulations? Does our rosy testimony set them up for discouragement? Or worse, cause them to doubt His love?
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have shalom. In the world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!” John 16:33, TLV
Being diligent to be accurate and truthful in all areas of our life is so important, but especially in our testimony. Our stories of His work in our life are imperative to sharing His Good News. Being transparent and real as redeemed children are just as powerful in advancing the Kingdom of God as a miracle.
“They overcame him [the enemy of our souls] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even in the face of death.” (Revelation 12:11, TLV)
Who needs to add to that?
Think More About It
Have we ever been guilty of “exaggerating” a testimony? Has anyone ever done that to us? What was the lesson we learned?
Until tomorrow, may we keep our words true and keep God’s word true, my friends.
But the king will rejoice in God.
All who swear by Him will boast,
when the mouth speaking lies is shut. Psalm 63:12, TLV
One day the truth will triumph over the lies. No doubt we’d all prefer that day to be today, but probably not likely. So, we continue to pray and rejoice in God and make sure we are not guilty of speaking lies or exaggerations or assumptions. Right? God bless you! Shabbat Shalom!
