“Do not add to
what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep
the commands
of the Lord your God that I give you.”
Deuteronomy
4:2 (NIV)
The title of
the article caught my attention: “Eleven Secrets of Irresistible People.” I
have friends I would consider to be in that category so I read on to determine
if they were in possession of any of the “secrets” that made them impossible to
ignore
.
The first two
“secrets” stated that irresistible people treat everyone with respect and focus
on them and what they have to say. No argument from me. But the third one
caught me by surprise.
It stated that
irresistible people “follow the Platinum Rule” and not the “Golden Rule” found
in Matthew 7:12 when Jesus tells his listeners “So in everything, do to others
what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
The author of
the article went on to explain that the Golden Rule – treating others as you
want to be treated – had a “fatal flaw.”
His reasoning
determined that not all people are motivated by the same thing and in the same
way. So he came to the conclusion that we should simply treat people as THEY
want to be treated and if we do that, we will have corrected the “fatal flaw”
in the words of Jesus.
If the author
is right, then anything is allowed. Anything. The alcoholic who wants you to
get him a drink before he drives can do that with your blessing. The deacon who
wants you to ignore him as he steals from the church treasury should not be
reported.
The woman
wanting to keep her affair secret from her family should have her wishes
honored. After all, it’s how each of these individuals wants to be treated,
correct?
But the
Scripture from Deuteronomy 4:2 could not be any clearer: “Do not add to what I
command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your
God that I give you.”
There is a
real danger when man decides to change and adapt God’s word to suit him and to
make him happy. Where do you stop?
For example,
someone is bothered by Jesus rising from the grave so let’s change that part of
the Word. And what about hell? Too tough to think about so let’s throw it out
altogether.
When the
creation does not like parts of the Creator’s Word and changes them, the
outcome will be disastrous.
Read the Word
and follow what the Lord has shown you. Period. Do not add or subtract parts
that you may not like. God’s Word was written to all of us for a reason. Adding
or subtracting what we may not like or agree with has eternal consequences.
Father, your words are truth. May I never forget
that all wisdom comes from you. And may I follow your every Word. In Jesus’
Name. Amen.
R.A.P. it up . . .
Reflect
·
Have you ever wondered if parts
of the Bible were flawed, as the author stated? If so, what parts and why?
Apply
·
Journal examples of wisdom from
the world and compare them with God’s Word in the Bible. Ask the Lord to make
clear the passages you do not understand.
·
Speak with those with Biblical
knowledge who have studied the Word to explain verses that are confusing to
you. Pray for clarity.
Power
·
Deuteronomy 4:2 (NIV) “Do not add
to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the
Lord your God that I give you.”
·
I Corinthians 1:25 (NIV) “For the
foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is
stronger than man’s strength.”
·
Proverbs 14:7 (NIV) “Stay away
from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.”
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