VERBAL INSPIRATION AND THE BIBLE
Read Proverbs 30:1-10
Notice this morning Proverbs 30:5-6, "Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
God's wisdom is found throughout His Word. It is readily available for all who will search it. Notice that Agur speaks of "Every word of God..." It is clear that the inspiration of the Bible is verbal. The very words of the Scripture have been given by God. Inspiration extends far more than simply the thoughts and principles of the Bible. The very words are inspired. Moreover, each and every word of God is pure. Of further interest is that the word translated as pure refers to being refined or purified. The inspiration of the Scripture involved only pure words. Moreover, as God has providentially preserved His words, they have been refined or purified. Implicit is the implication that impurities have crept into the text over the centuries. Yet, the providential preservation of God has refined those impurities out and what we have to this day are the preserved, pure words of God.
Furthermore, "He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him." Not only is God the source of wisdom and the giver of inspired words, but He is also a shield to all who place their trust in Him. Notice also Psalm 18:30, "As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all that trust in Him." What a wonderful truth! God takes care of those who trust in Him. That is true when one first trusts Christ as Savior and is saved. It further is true in our Christian walk. God becomes a shield of protection for those who trust Him in times of need.
Verse 6 "Add thou not unto His words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." The warning is made against tampering with the inspired and preserved words of God. Cultists and critical text editors routinely tamper with the written words of God. Notice once again, that the very words of God are noted. Both verbal inspiration of the words of God, as well as the verbal preservation thereof, are in view. One who, with impunity, adds to (or takes from) the inspired and preserved words of God becomes a liar. He claims to present the very words of God, when in fact he has lied thereto. Adding (or removing) words from the sacred text is the epitome of deception. To pass off a text as the Word and words of God, when in fact human hands have tampered therewith, is nothing more than lying. Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19 speak concerning the seriousness of tampering with the words of God.
Make sure to value the very words of God and "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Define what it means for the Bible to be verbally inspired?
2. What does it mean for every word of the Bible to be pure?
3. How might one add to God’s Word? What is the danger in so doing?
4. What is the written basis for your trust in God? How can you guard this?