It Is Written

Awhile back I was reading in the Gospels about the temptation of Jesus. As I read, I was once again struck by the fact of how Jesus used the Scriptures to defend Himself against that attack. He didn't answer Satan with His own thoughts or His own beliefs or His own ideas - He only quoted the pure and undefiled Word of God. For Him, the Scripture was sufficient.

And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” *

* Quoting Deuteronomy 8:3

And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” *

* Quoting Deuteronomy 6:13

Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you', and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’” *

Quoting Deuteronomy 6:16.

A few weeks ago I was listening to a sermon on the teachings of the Catholic Mass. This was a subject I had always been interested in because I wasn't really clear on the differences in beliefs between Catholics and Protestants regarding the Lord's Supper. As I studied, I also looked into other belief systems as well such as Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses. What became clear to me as I delved deeper was that they all had something in common with each other - they all believed in revelation beyond Scripture. They say they believe in the Bible, but they all have teachings or writings that they consider equal to the Bible or in some cases, revere even above the Bible. Or to put it another way - the Scriptures are not sufficient for them.

It seems to me that the biggest temptation of every generation is to veer away from Scripture - to add a little bit to it or take a little bit away from it. That is a dangerous game to play. One generation may add a little here, while another generation takes a little from there. After awhile, Scripture becomes unrecognizable. We like to think that this only occurs in cults and other religions, but turn on your Christian television station any night and watch a few of the health and wealth teachers. It is a travesty what is being done to Scripture in the name of Christ.

Even when people are well meaning, it still cannot be allowed to happen. Not too long ago I was having an email exchange with a friend of mine who is a Christian. My disagreement with him had nothing to do with his actions - the things he is doing are good things and are to be applauded. My disagreement was with the fact that I felt he was misusing Scripture in order to validate those good things he was doing. That can't be allowed to happen.

Scripture is not like Play-Doh. I can't mold it to fit my beliefs. It's the other way around - I have to mold my beliefs to fit Scripture. Scripture is like a diamond that's been passed down and it's each generation's responsibility to keep it pure and clean. It is our guide and our standard. It is the absolute truth by which we direct our lives. If it gets corrupted then we are lost. Trying to live with a corrupted standard as your guide is like trying to put something together with the wrong instructions.

Here's my point. It is easy for us to look at others - other religions or cults or even other Christians - and say 'Look how they are twisting the Scripture'. But if we are not careful, we'll do the same thing in our own life. We'll try and make Scripture fit our traditions by adding to it or twisting it or reading something into it that it doesn't really say. I know - I've done it.

Do we really believe that Scripture is sufficient? Most of us would probably answer in the affirmative. So here's a little food for thought.

- If your marriage is in trouble, where would you go? To the Bible or the latest best-seller in the Christian bookstore?

- If your finances are out of order, where would you go? To the Bible or the latest seminar?

- If your addiction is killing you, where would you go? To the Bible or the latest self-help group?

- If you need guidance, where would you go? To the Bible or to the world famous evangelist on the Christian television program?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not necessarily saying that books or seminars or group meetings are bad. I am saying they don't have the answers. The truth is found in the Word and only in the Word.

Do you believe that? Do you believe that the Word and It alone is sufficient for everything we need? I do. I believe that everything I need for guidance and direction is there. I believe that everything I need to know of how to be a godly man, a good husband and father is there. I believe the ability to love others is there. I believe that the way to eternal life is found there. I believe it is all sufficient - I believe perfection can be found there and only there.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17