Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 30:5 (04/20/23)
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TITLE: The Quest To Maintain Purity | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
04/25/23 -
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The devil uses misinterpretations and misapplications of Scripture to deceive his intended targets; many of whom will unwittingly become his future spokespersons (1).
By isolating verses of Scripture, the Bible can be made to appear to say just about anything that a clever communicator desires.
The existence of so many different denominations, and individual beliefs within each denomination, is evidence of the extent of success that the devil has had, as he uses the divide and conquer strategy in the realm of spiritual warfare (2).
Usually, when the issue of false doctrine and accompanying practices surfaces, it is the “Church down the street” that comes to mind.
This is because each denomination or group become convinced that it is they who have gotten it all right, and are literally willing to take their religious beliefs to the grave, without considering even the possibility of there being error in their own systems of belief.
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him (Proverbs 30: 5 NASB).”
From the original language that God inspired, the Hebrew word t-s-a-r-a-p-h was formerly translated “tested” in the NASB, and is translated “pure” in its latest edition.
T-s-a-r-a-p-h means to be found free of any adulteration.
In it’s original (inspired) form, there is no need to “test” the Bible linguistically.
The Old Testament ancients did not have a problem with translation. Great care was taken to make certain that Scripture was copied and maintained in its original language. Their problem was with its interpretation and application.
In Jesus’ Day, the Pharisees could accurately quote Old Testament Scripture, but failed to interpret and to apply it correctly; to the extent that they did not recognize its fulfillment in the Person and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ (3).
Here in the Church Age, pastor-teachers that do not have at least a working knowledge of the original (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic) languages of the inspired Scripture, must learn to research and to take into consideration, the accuracy of the human translators.
Only when Scripture is taught in light of the inspired, original languages, historical background, and by comparing Scripture with Scripture, does it become and remain to be a dependable, “… shield to those who take refuge in Him (Proverbs 30: 5 NASB).”
A defective shield may look and feel right in the eyes and hands of human beings, but will prove to be a snare in the realm of spiritual combat.
When the Word of God becomes adulterated (by adding to it the religious precepts and traditions of Man), its alterations produce a defective shield (4).
The protecive quality of the Eph.6: 16 shield of faith is based on the quality of its materials (accurate doctrine). Believing in falsehood “with all one’s heart” does not make it true.
Gal. 3: 1 attribute such alterations to diabolical activity.
The Proverbs 30: 5 purity of Scripture becomes contaminated whenever human beings add to it, take from it, or misapply it.
Throughout Biblical history, “religious” men and their followers have done just that, reaping the negative consequences.
“But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men (Matt. 15: 9 NASB).”
Just a little leaven (sin/false doctrine) can impact the whole lump (5).
This principle, as it applies to false doctrine, is found in Paul’s letter to the Galatians after religious people tried to add physical circumcision for Church Age believers, as a requirement for salvation (6).
Accepting one additional requirement opens the door to the adding of many more. Religious authority has continued to add their religious requirements throughout the Course of Church Age History.
According to 1Tim. 4: 1, the promoting of man-made religious concepts, meaningless worship, and accompanying practices WITHIN the Christian Community will reach its climax just before, what theologians refer to as the Rapture, takes place.
Maintaining Prov. 30: 5 purity requires diligence.
The preservation and the proclamation of the unadulterated Gospel Message for salvation, and the preservation, teaching, and application of accurate Bible Doctrine for the development of post salvation discipleship, is the mission that Jesus gave His Church to do (7).
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(1) Matt. 4: 6/John 8: 44/ Matt.15:14 (2) Rev. 12: 9/Eph. 6: 12/1Pet. 5: 8 (3) Matt. 5: 17 (4) Matt. 15: 9/1Tim. 4: 1/Matt. 7: 21 (5) 1Cor. 5: 1, 6 (6) Book of Galatians (7) Matt. 28: 19, 20
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