Don’t Tamper with The Word of God

When I started Joy Gospel Radio FM, now ZJoyVI, over 9 1/2 years ago, it was heavily based on playing a lot of really great gospel music. 

That was what drew many persons to the program, no matter what radio station I worked at. Well there were only two Christian radio stations here in the BVI at the time.

But you’ve heard me say over the years, now that I have my own radio station, that I have grown to accept that this is not just a program, because of the testimonies I receive from so many persons as they are blessed. 

So as with any ministry, you grow in not only size but impact.

Music, while it is still very important, now supplements the teaching of the Word of God, the praying, the encouragement and inspiration that one gets when they stop by here. 

Music is no longer the main course during these two hours. The spoken Word of God must take precedence. Because you find that some songwriters and singers would embellish lyrics to rhyme more than sticking to the pure Word of God, and we have to be careful we are not roped into this trap. 

For today’s exhortation, I reference a conversation I had a few months ago with a sister, who said to me: Music must not replace the teaching of the scriptures. The truth cannot be hidden, camouflaged, downgraded or mixed up. The Word of God is pure, we must never add or take away from it, because God left us with exactly what He wanted to say and not what we think He should have said. So anyone trying to rewrite the Word of God hidden in music or any fancy sermon, will be exposed and eventually punished.

And that is so very scriptural.

Let’s hear it from The Bible and I read from The Amplified version:

Deuteronomy 4:1-2 ”“Now, O Israel, listen and pay attention to the statutes and the judgments (God’s legal decisions) which I am teaching you to do, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I am commanding you.“

 

Proverbs 30:5-6 ”Every word of God is tested and refined [like silver]; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, Or He will reprove you, and you will be found a liar.“ 

Many times you find people preferring to listen to music over delving into Bible Study. Why? Because there seems to be more appeal to the sounds of instruments and vocals which make a song. The rhythm holds a special appeal, especially as a Caribbean person and you hear some gospel reggae,  gospelypo, or revival music right? Makes you want to dance!

And that’s all good. But where do we place emphasis when it comes to hearing from The Lord? It must be straight from The Bible, supplemented by other study guides and yes music can help.

And we must also guard against picking out a particular scripture to suit a particular purpose, without reading it in context and cross referencing. This tampers with and dilutes the essence of what The Word teaches. 

None of these practices must be a substitute for the complete Word of God. Unfortunately, some Christians allow the enemy to use them to water down the Word of God, teaching only some parts of the Bible or embellishing scriptures with fluff to attract an audience.

In Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus says ”“Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished. So whoever breaks one of the least [important] of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least [important] in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.“ 

Family, the Word of God must stand as an unchanging testament to God’s purity and divine wisdom. As God is perfect, so is His Word. 

As believers, we are entrusted with the sacred duty of preserving the integrity of God’s Word. And that’s why we should study more and study for ourselves to make sure that what we hear preached is the undiluted Word of God. 

I know I wish I had more of a command of scriptures so that I can easily spurt out a verse or two for every situation I face or to encourage a brother or a sister. There is so much food in The Word! But it must be handled with reverence and humility.

Revelation 22:18-19 warns against tampering with the Scriptures: ”I testify and warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [its predictions, consolations, and admonitions]: if anyone adds [anything] to them, God will add to him the plagues (afflictions, calamities) which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from or distorts the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away [from that one] his share from the tree of life and from the holy city (new Jerusalem), which are written in this book.“ 

The Bible is the authoritative Word of God and it is complete. 

Psalms 119:160 ”The sum of Your word is truth [the full meaning of all Your precepts], And every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever.“

The encouragement for us today is to commit ourselves to studying, understanding, and obeying the Word of God as it is, not through music or sensational preaching, but without alteration or personal interpretation. 

God’s Word is pure as it is. May we uphold its sanctity, for in it we find direction, wisdom, and the knowledge of who God is and what He wants for us to do in order to live fulfilled lives, leading to our salvation.

aub - 9April 2024

www.zjoyvi.com