Corrupting the Word of God
In Genesis 3, we have the fall of mankind. This chapter is full of insightful information as to how man fell, but also as to the temptations we face today are merely the same as those which Adam and Eve faced in the Garden of Eden: Such as, “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”
But, for the moment, let us consider the misuse of the Word of God by mankind which led to the fall, for such has continued throughout the ages with men Corrupting the Word of God even unto this day. Really one should take the time to read and mediate on this chapter, for here I will merely try to quickly note the pitfalls we can all find ourselves in when we corrupt the Word of God whether intentionally or not.
Note 1: Not all corrupt communication will come in the form of ‘God is a liar.’
God said: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.
Serpent said: Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
We see that ‘false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves’ attempt to use the Word of God, but not in its intended purpose and original thought. Notice the serpent puts a negative slant on the Word of God. God said they may freely eat of every tree of the garden, only telling them to refrain from ‘the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,’ whereas the serpent states that God has said they may not eat of every tree of the garden. Instead of presenting the fact that mankind was being given many things having only one tree withheld, the serpent’s words take away from what all has been given to man and focuses on what has been withheld.
Note 2: It isn’t necessary to take away from the Word of God to improve it.
God said: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.
Serpent said: Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Eve said: We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Here we see liberalism creeping into mankind, desiring to water down the Word of God, as Eve removes the word ‘freely’ from the very mouth of God concerning the trees of the garden. Sure this note could be debatable, but the word ‘freely’ declares it was given unto them to partake without requiring something in return. As seen in salvation, it is freely given by grace through faith, without the deeds of the law.
Notice Eve also waters down God’s word of ‘in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die’ with ‘lest ye die’ leaving the idea of the possibility that one would not actually die; therefore, making God a liar, and making it easier to sin with a seemingly lesser punishment.
But, for the moment, let us consider the misuse of the Word of God by mankind which led to the fall, for such has continued throughout the ages with men Corrupting the Word of God even unto this day. Really one should take the time to read and mediate on this chapter, for here I will merely try to quickly note the pitfalls we can all find ourselves in when we corrupt the Word of God whether intentionally or not.
Note 1: Not all corrupt communication will come in the form of ‘God is a liar.’
God said: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.
Serpent said: Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
We see that ‘false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves’ attempt to use the Word of God, but not in its intended purpose and original thought. Notice the serpent puts a negative slant on the Word of God. God said they may freely eat of every tree of the garden, only telling them to refrain from ‘the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,’ whereas the serpent states that God has said they may not eat of every tree of the garden. Instead of presenting the fact that mankind was being given many things having only one tree withheld, the serpent’s words take away from what all has been given to man and focuses on what has been withheld.
Note 2: It isn’t necessary to take away from the Word of God to improve it.
God said: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.
Serpent said: Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Eve said: We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Here we see liberalism creeping into mankind, desiring to water down the Word of God, as Eve removes the word ‘freely’ from the very mouth of God concerning the trees of the garden. Sure this note could be debatable, but the word ‘freely’ declares it was given unto them to partake without requiring something in return. As seen in salvation, it is freely given by grace through faith, without the deeds of the law.
Notice Eve also waters down God’s word of ‘in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die’ with ‘lest ye die’ leaving the idea of the possibility that one would not actually die; therefore, making God a liar, and making it easier to sin with a seemingly lesser punishment.
Note 3: It isn’t necessary to add to the Word of God to protect it.
God said: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.
Serpent said: Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Eve said: We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Here we see legalism creeping into mankind, desiring to go beyond the Word of God, as Eve now claims that God said they could not even touch the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; though He never said such. Now we see the serpent saying that God has not given mankind every tree, Eve is now saying that they cannot even touch this one tree, and the tree simply becomes more enticing as they corrupt the Word of God.
Note 4: As we corrupt the Word of God, we move closer to sin.
God said: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Eve said: lest ye die.
Serpent said: Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and a tree to be desired to make one wise (pride of life), she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
When confronted with corrupt communication mankind started by quoting the very Words of God, though they found room to change, add, and take away from the pure words they were given. In turn, they turned away from the truth, embraced the lies, and lusted after that which was sin. It is no different today with each one of us.
David declared, as we all should: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Corrupting the Word of God will surely lead to our own corruption.
God said: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.
Serpent said: Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Eve said: We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Here we see legalism creeping into mankind, desiring to go beyond the Word of God, as Eve now claims that God said they could not even touch the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; though He never said such. Now we see the serpent saying that God has not given mankind every tree, Eve is now saying that they cannot even touch this one tree, and the tree simply becomes more enticing as they corrupt the Word of God.
Note 4: As we corrupt the Word of God, we move closer to sin.
God said: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Eve said: lest ye die.
Serpent said: Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and a tree to be desired to make one wise (pride of life), she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
When confronted with corrupt communication mankind started by quoting the very Words of God, though they found room to change, add, and take away from the pure words they were given. In turn, they turned away from the truth, embraced the lies, and lusted after that which was sin. It is no different today with each one of us.
David declared, as we all should: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Corrupting the Word of God will surely lead to our own corruption.
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