Misquoted

Daily Reading: 2 Corinthians 4-5

Scripture Focus: We refuse to... tamper with God's word. (2 Corinthians 4.2)

Devotional Thought: Not long ago, I was misquoted by someone who wanted another person to adopt a particular stance toward an issue. When I was told about it, I quickly and passionately responded, "I never said that!" Have you ever been misquoted? Have you ever had somebody twist your words or take them out of context? It gets you fired up, doesn't it? Especially when their agenda is at odds with yours!

Paul knew that there was a temptation to do that very thing to God's words. He told the Corinthians that he had adopted a conscious and conscientious policy not to "tamper with God's word." How do we "tamper with God's word"?

• Additions. When we can't find scriptures to justify ourselves, we might be tempted to come up with things that sound spiritual, but are not really in the Word of God. We can also attribute our opinions to coming from God: "God told me..." When we put words in God’s mouth, claiming divine origin for our own thoughts and biases, I call that sanctifying our opinions.

• Alterations. Satan is a master at this technique. He just barely changes what God's Word says, so little in fact, that it is hard to recognize as changed. We must stick closely to God's Word in order to preserve the Truth in this generation that wants to justify all manner of evil behavior.

• Accommodations. Speaking of today's culture, there is tremendous pressure to accommodate sinful behavior and justify it by forgetting the plain teaching of the Bible. "Oh that doesn't mean what it says" or "That was for another time and place." Let us be vigilant for Truth!

If you have ever been misquoted, you know that it is very offensive. Let's not misquote God!

Prayer: Father, thank you for your Word. Help me to be faithful to your Word even when it does not fit with today's progressive views. May I never tamper with your Word! Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! 5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, 6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, 8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. 9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! (Psalms 113:4-9)