For those who find themselves teaching the word of God. You know that you will often look for ways to elaborate on or further explain scripture. Not with the intent of changing the meaning of a verse. But with the hope that you can make the point of the passage clear to others. Leaving your audience with a deeper understanding. Yet sometimes we just have to see that God already said what needed to be said. And there really is nothing left to say.
I experienced this recently with another article I was working on. In which I knew that God was leading me to a certain verse. But every time I tried to expound on it I ran right into a wall. Stopped dead in my tracks. After spending time looking at similar verses a really meditating on them. Even walking away a few times. I finally did what I should have done in the first place. I prayed and asked God to tell me what He would have me to say.
Then it all came together as if God was saying I have already said it. Showing that there really was nothing left for me to say or elaborate on. Because God had already said all that needed to be said in His inspired word.
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
At times I believe all Christians attempt to explain scriptures. Even if it is just to a friend, family member, or co-worker. We want to add our two senses to the verse. Or feel as though we need to help God by making His word easier to understand or more palatable to people today. But we must be careful to not go too far and lean on our own understanding. Instead, we should trust in the Lord and His word. Because His word and perfect and that really mean there is nothing left for us to say.
Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
Please understand that I am not saying we should never help to explain, teach, or elaborate on scripture. I do not believe that in the slightest. In fact, we see in the Bible multiple examples of the scripture being taught and explained. Showing that we to should be using the Bible in this way.
Nehemiah 8:7-8 (ESV)
7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. 8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
Acts 8:35 (ESV)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
I simply want to help others to see what I believe God has helped me to see. That there are times for elaborating on the word of God. But there are also times when we should just allow the Bible to stand on its own. Not trying to teach or explain but simply letting it do what it does best on its own. Touch the hearts of those in need of it.
It’s also important to remember the strong warnings given against adding to or taking away from God’s inspired word. This is a line we must carefully walk as teachers of the word. Being sure that we only say what the scripture itself is saying. Never changing it to fit our own wants or beliefs. As we have said sometimes God leaves nothing left to be said, but sometimes it’s better just to not say anything at all. Just allowing the scripture to say exactly what it says.
Revelation 22:18-19 (ESV)
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
Deuteronomy 4:2 (ESV)
2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.
Proverbs 30:6 (ESV)
6 Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
So if you find yourself wanting to share a verse, but you do not know what to say. Then don’t worry about it. Just allow the perfect word of God to speak for itself. Honestly, the Bible does better on its own then we could ever hope to help it do.
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