Do we add to God’s words?

TODAY’S PROVERB: Do not add to His words, or else He will rebuke You and prove you a liar. Proverbs 30:6

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.

Projecting a more “attractive” 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.

We can share our faith and testimony as a Hollywood “happily ever after” without the trials and tribulations of living in a fallen world reality. 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 trial and tribulation? Does our rosy testimony set them up for discouragement? Or worse, cause them to doubt His love?

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?

May we keep our words true and keep God’s word true, my friends.

Proverbs 30:6 Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs