NO MATH, JUST CONSULT AND BE CAREFUL

I encourage myself, plus my brothers and sisters in Christ - do not add or subtract from The Word of God (The Bible), just cross reference, consult the Holy Spirit in prayer and take care how you present His Word.

Let's look at His Word concerning this subject. God calls His Word - The Truth and His Laws something that will last forever - "All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal." - Psalm 119:160 With that foundation, is it any wonder that God would declare......?

• “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it” - Deuteronomy 4:2
• "Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar." - Proverbs 30:6
• "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll." - Revelation 22:18-19

Those like myself, and a plethora of others in the Kingdom that teach God's Word, have taken a heavy responsibility upon themselves. James 3:1 says, Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. However, even with this knowledge, I cannot be quiet. So, the key becomes knowing His Word. The only way to know it is to read it, study it and pray over it. There is a dire warning however - presenting anything outside of God's Good News is wrong and will fall under God's wrath - 

• "As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!" - Galatians 1:9

So when it comes time to interpret Scripture - turn to the Scripture for the answer (cross reference). There will be other verses, stories and events that explain what you are trying to understand, just stick with it. Do not try to add or subtract from a passage to make sense for you. Ask The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, and He will lead you into all Truth (John 16:13). Finally, going forward, be careful. In interpreting always follow the Golden Rule of Interpretation -

• When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word, at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.

And in speaking, choose your words wisely for they have the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). As a Christian, you don't have to be a Teacher for your words to have a heavy influence. Before you even draw breath to witness to someone about Christ - pray quickly about what should be said. However, in this instance I felt compelled to especially address The Teachers of The Kingdom and remind all - No Math, Just Consult (The Holy Spirit) And Be Careful.