The other day while writing my devotional #2 in my series, “Jesus' Temptations,” I mentioned that I would share my thoughts about speaking the truth, and the heart of the scriptures. Do you ever get in a conversation with someone and God prompts you to share a scripture, but you are afraid to do so because you do not know it word for word? Therefore you decide not to say anything at all? Well, I wanted to share my feelings about this a few days ago, but the Holy Spirit was telling me I did not need to go there at that time. I do feel it is important to discuss the subject now and I pray that what I say has lined up with God's Word.
So, if you go back to when Jesus rebukes Satan for tempting Him, Jesus quotes a scripture from Deuteronomy 6:16, “You must not test your Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah.” As you can see there is more to this scripture, but Jesus, all knowing, all powerful, and with complete authority has the ability to only speak on the true relevance of this scripture. In just a second you will understand why I am bringing it up. I ask you to please hear and know my heart in this observation, and to see the relevance in it.
I believe with all my heart that Jesus gave us scripture so that we will do our very best to quote them properly, and the true meaning behind them. Sometimes I feel we quote lines that we think we know what it says, but in reality we completely get it wrong. Here is an example we all might have heard before: "Money is the root of all evil." However, what it really says though in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the Love of money is the root of all evil.” See how one word, "Love", can change the entire heart of this scripture? In the Bible there are many Verses that talk about this very thing. Look at Deuteronomy 12:32; “Whatever I command of you, you shall be careful to do, you shall not add nor take away from it.” Or in Proverbs 30:6 it says, “Do not add to His Word or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.” There are several others Verses in Mark 7:13, Proverbs 30:5-6, and Deuteronomy 4:2 that also refer to this subject.
The reason I felt I needed to share this with you is because I want us to do our very best in memorizing the Word. I also want to share my observation in more detail so that there is no misunderstanding why I brought this observation up. Again, Jesus had the heart of the scripture, and that is all that was needed. He did not need to share the remaining of the Verse that had no relevance to what he was saying. In Jesus' example, it did not matter what was before or after this Verse, because the heart of those words were true.
I hope you understand the point of this devotional. Do not be afraid to speak up if God prompts you to recite a scripture. The scriptures are there for us to study, and to use to protect us from the evil that surrounds us. Keep sharpening your sword so that it does not become rusty or dull. Do your very best to recite it correctly so that you do not look foolish. Perhaps it would be better not to say anything at all if you do not know what it truly says. Proverbs 17:27-28 says, “The one who has Knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even the fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
God bless,
E.