Don't Alter The Word
Every motive that could move men to alter the Word of God has
been fully delineated in various portions of the Bible. It shows
that God was aware from the first of the reception that would be
given to His truth; and it is instructive to the humble believer
as it is humiliating to the modern lover of pen-knife criticism.
1. The tendency to alter the Word of God is human. It is
manifested in the first religious conversation on record. The
divine voice had asserted, "Thou shalt not eat of it;"
the human voice added, "neither shall ye touch it." The
addition was the precursor of the fall.
2. The desire to alter the Word of God is dangerous. In the
wilderness God Himself points this out: "Ye shall not add
unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
ought from it (Deut. 4:2). The nations they were advancing to
conquer had long cast aside their allegiance to their Maker, and
the least tendency to question or alter God's Word might result
in the same downfall for Israel. Deuteronomy 12:31-32 distinctly
refers to this danger. and reasserts the warning, "Thou
shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it." That idolatry
does result from such daring rebellion is proved by the state of
the Roman Catholic community today.
3. The act of altering the Word of God is sinful. "Add thou
not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a
liar" (Prov. 30:5-6). "Every word of God is pure;"
and he who essays to improve upon it imputes error to the
All-wise. Only unholy minds could attempt it.
4. The desire to alter the Word of God is weakness. Jeremiah's
was a terrible message, and even he might yield to feelings of
pity for his race; God saw this, and in words that could not be
misunderstood, He said to the prophet, "Diminish not a
word" (Jer. 24:2). If God's message is diminished, its power
is lessened, and its results re consequently less certain. The
authority, the power, the meaning, the terror of God's truth must
be preserved in all their fullness for God's purposes are to be
carried out.
5. The ambition to alter the Word of God is Pharisaic. To break
the perfection of the law and teach our own alterations or
additions as if they were of God is vile indeed (Mt. 5:19-20).
Our Lord reproved this spirit in scathing and unmistakable
language. Why is it His words are forgotten? "Ye have made
the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition," He
says. "They teach for doctrines the commandments of
men" (Mt. 20:6, 9). The Pharisaic spirit thus renders
impossible obedience and loyalty to God as the supreme Teacher.
The craving to alter the Word of God is accursed. Revelation
22:18-19 should be read with fear and trembling. Is there not a
reference to this tendency revealed in Paradise? What else is
meant by the threatening, "God shall take away his part out
of the book of life." Is not the offender's name to be taken
away as Adam's was? Thus all down the ages God has warned men
against this crime. He is a jealous God, and has determined to
visit with the direct punishment all who dare to alter His
completed and full revelation.
This is the crime of the present day: the Lord preserve us from
it!