Sound The Trumpet

The Bible version debate is a very critical as well as a very contentious one. The passions run very deep on both sides of the issues. However, many people promote a neutral position on the issue by saying that you can read whichever version you wish, so long as it speaks to you. So, before we examine the issue itself, let’s take a moment to examine the history of the issue as well as why it is so important.

The devil has always used the tool of perverting the Word of God to deceive people. The devil began this practice in the Garden of Eden. God had specifically told Adam and Eve that they could eat of any fruit of the garden except the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. God warned them that when they ate of that tree, they would die. The devil commented that they would not surely die. Thus, we see the very first time the Devil changed the Word of God. As Lucifer changed the Word of God, Adam and Eve believed him, sinned and condemned the world to death from sin. From this one example, we see the very real danger of perverting the Word of God.

In the New Testament, prior to the canonization of Scripture, we are warned about strange and diverse doctrines (1 Tim 4:1, Heb 13:9). We are also warned of other doctrines in the following passage.

2 John 1:10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

In fact, it was John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God cautioned:

Revelation 22:19 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.

This is a very strong warning for anyone who adds to, removes from or changes the Word of God.
Throughout the Bible times, we see the Devil using this tool. He knows the power of Scripture. In fact, the devil cannot stand against Scripture. That is why we are instructed to memorize Scripture:

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Memorizing Scripture is a tool any saint, any believer in God can use to defend against the attacks of the Devil. But, when you memorize Scripture, which version do you memorize? Consider Jesus, Himself. Jesus could have spoken and caused the devil to flee from Him. However, Jesus set an example for us when He was tempted: Jesus quoted Scripture.

Matthew 4:1-11 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (2) And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. (3) And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (5) Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, (6) And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (7) Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (8) Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; (9) And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (11) Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

This is the exact same tool we have at our disposal. Even though Jesus was God in the flesh, He humbled Himself and used the same tool we can use – the Word of God. Since we know God wants us to be successful Christians, He wants us to have His word.
Finally, Jesus is the Word of God. We see this in John 1:1-4

Joh 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Imagine having a form of God in your hands. Now, consider the power of those words. That thought helps us understand why the Devil flees from the Word of God but consider the next verses:

Re 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Re 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

It is that which comes out of the mouth of the Lord which will slay the nations. Jesus' spoken word will be the destruction of all those nations and people who rebelled against Him.

When we realize the Bible is the best weapon we can put in our arsenal to defend against the Devil, when we realize the Bible is a representation of Jesus in our hands, it is easy to understand why the Devil wants it destroyed or corrupted.

In the next article, we will examine the preservation of the Word of God.