Don't try to improve the original!

I am a purists when it comes to most things in life. If it's not broke don't fix it. Really some things in life should be left alone. I mean there are some things that were great as originals and didn't need to have changes or modifications made to them. But in the sake of the almighty dollar and a need to be relevant, we try to jazz things up and make it better than the original. I could go through a list where they tried to improve on original movies (Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, Rambo III & IV, possibly Star Wars Episode 7), TV series (every spinoff ever), and even foods (Crystal Pepsi, Diet Dr. Pepper, Cherry Lemon Sundrop) and it didn't work out. One such "improvement" made it's way into my house this weekend. Cooper asked for Maple Bacon Pop-Tarts. Don't ask me why. Out of a willingness to try new things that was instilled in me by my grandmother, I tried a bite of his Pop-Tart. After that bite I remembered why I only eat strawberry Pop-Tarts. Because there is no need to improve on the original.

God's Word should be treated the same way. There is no reason to try and improve on the original Word God gave to us, whether intentionally or unintentionally. One reason we shouldn't is given to us in Revelation 22:18-19 where John warns people not to add to or take away from the revelation he received from Jesus Christ. We should apply that practice to the entire Bible not just the pages of Revelation. But another reason we shouldn't try to improve on the original is because it misleads people. You have probably heard people quote phrases such as, "God won't give you more than you can handle," "Spare the rod, spoil the child," "Money is the root of all evil,""Cleanliness is next to godliness," and "God helps those who help themselves." The problem is people, inside and outside the faith, believe that these types of comments are found in the Bible. Some phrases like that are from Aesop's fables and others are ideas are similar in thought to biblical texts. Although the thought may have some very limited form of biblical support, it still leads people to false beliefs about what the Bible says.

The best way to avoid any mistakes when it comes to people trying to improve upon the original Word of God is to know what it says. Spend time reading God's Word. Take in the deep truths of God's Word. Learn the reality of the stories that God uses to lead us in our life of faith. When you do you'll be able to know when that smiley televangelist isn't teaching the truth to millions or your friend is basing their faith on a lie. In the end your faith will be stronger and you can help strengthen the faith of those around you as well.


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