From time to time we hear someone say to another person that they do not want words put in their mouth. In this election year we find that there are speech writers who are paid to put words in their candidates mouth. The Bible is often seen as being the product of the mind of man. In reading the Bible however we find that in the case of the scriptures, God put words in the writers mouths, or pens, and that is how we have received the scriptures. In teaching the Gospel it is important to realize that God wants to put His words in our mouths. Peter states, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet 4.11). That does not sit well with some folks as they come into contact with the words that God has given us to say. The writer of Hebrews puts this plainly when he states, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4.12).
The words that God had recorded are often contested in a number of ways. There are those who do not wish to hear them at all and so will avoid any contact with them. There are others who will accept some of the words but place themselves in the position of an editor, selecting only those things that they want to hear. Usually these are things that make them feel better or give some degree of comfort when confronted with a negative situation. These all stand as false comforts and hopes though if the individual has not embrace God's word in it's entirety.
These same words form the protections and weapons against evil and provide the means of saving those who would hear and obey. Paul states, "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" (Eph 6.14-17). Notice how many parts of the "armor of God" are connected to the words that God has recorded in His book. The answer, of course, is all of them. Now if those who are righteous are those who hear the words that God has spoken, and remain faithful to them, then it stands to reason that those who reject those same words, whether in part or in whole, are unrighteous.
God's word also reveals the fact that those who are not righteous will be condemned in the judgment. In spite of that reality there are those who will take liberties with God's words that God has not allowed us to do. The words recorded in the scriptures are God's, they belong to Him. Only He could change them and apparently He has not chosen to do this. So, the words stand as recorded. That is significant. In two thousand years the words that were recorded are still with us in spite of the opposition that has been directed at them. We make a plea to those who believe that they can reject God's words to rethink their position. If the words recorded have stood the test of time and remain in the world, in spite of opposition, then we know that they will also stand the test of eternity. Will yours?
TLC