We noted in an earlier devotion that Proverbs 30 may have been written by someone other than Solomon (30:1); however, some scholars suggest that “Agur the son of Jakeh” might be descriptive, rather than proper names for Solomon and his father David. The writer expresses in Proverbs 30:2-4 what every faithful Bible teacher and preacher feels–a sense of inadequacy in expounding the eternal truths of God’s revelation. Proverbs 30:5-6 are the verses for today’s devotional thought.
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.”
Preaching and teaching the Word of God is a sacred trust and a great responsibility. In fact, those who teach and preach the Word of God will be judged and held to a higher standard. James writes: “My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation [judgment]” (James 3:1). The preaching of the Word of God is a sacred trust and its exposition is a serious matter—not to be taken lightly by the teacher or the listener.
I sorrow to say that the majority of denominational churches in our nation long
ago abandoned the Scriptures as the sole authority for faith and practice. Some reading today’s devotional go to churches where the preacher standing behind the pulpit denies the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith: deny the inspiration of the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-12); treat the Genesis account of Creation (Genesis 1) as a fable or attempt to amalgamate evolution into its interpretation. Many pastors have betrayed God and the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24-25), either excusing their own adulterous conduct or appeasing a culture that has lost its moral bearings. Some heretic preachers deny the virgin birth of Christ, the Only begotten Son of God (Isaiah 7:14); others defame the physical death, burial and resurrection of Christ from the dead.
If your pastor is not faithful to the Scriptures as the sole authority for faith and practice—Get Out! Find a church, even if it means driving a distance, whose pastor studies the Word of God and preaches it with authority.
Briefly, notice the writer’s affirmation concerning the Word of God and his admonition regarding its wholeness.
Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word [speech; command] of God is pure [refined like gold]: He is a shield [defence] unto them that put their trust [confide in; hope and trust] in Him. 6 Add thou not [do not increase] unto His words [commandments], lest He reprove [rebuke; correct] thee, and thou be found a liar [deceiver].”
I urge you to find a church whose pastor is faithful to the scriptures (as opposed to church traditions). Seek for a pastor who is passionate about the reading and clear exposition of the Word of God and not entertaining the masses with what I call a “little ditty” sermon. Don’t accept a pastor’s opinions—study the scriptures as the 1st century Christians at Antioch who, “received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11).
I close with the Apostle John’s warning:
Revelation 22:18-19 – “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
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