Unadulterated and Unfiltered

Do not add to the Word that I tell you, and do not take away from it. Keep the Laws of the Lord your God which I tell you. Deuteronomy 4:2 (NLV)

I wish there was a real life filter for my face.

Similar to the ones on certain phone apps, but that I could use in real life situations to "erase" the sun spots and other imperfections that my grandson seems completely intrigued by. By “intrigued” I really mean disgusted.

Although, what I really wish a face filter could do in real life is hide my look of astonishment at the stupidity of what was just said or done – either by me or someone else.

One that would hide what I’m thinking because my face tells it all and I’m just trying to be polite by not saying it with my words. The oh-so many words. 

Now, that would be a filter worth its weight in gold!

Although I don’t have a filter I can whip out in social situations that would change the way I look, I do have an internal filter that has affected how I look at things.

I believe our life experiences affect the way we relate to the world and also how we relate to the Word – God’s Word. 

Sometimes those experiences have us looking at Scripture through the lens of pain, doubting that it could ever heal our hurts.

Other experiences, such as abandonment; abuse; or betrayal can cause us to look at Scripture through the lens of cynicism, not allowing the gospel (translated "good news") message to penetrate our guarded, hardened hearts. 

Because of my experience with my alcoholic stepfather and a non-existent relationship with my biological father, my filter doesn't allow me to view God as Abba (Aramaic for “daddy”).

I think the filters through which we see God and/or Scripture are not in harmony with Deuteronomy 4:2, which says, “Do not add to the Word that I tell you, and do not take away from it. Keep the Laws of the Lord your God which I tell you.”

I believe just by having a filter we’ve already added to or taken away from God’s Word.  

Sadly, I believe our filters cause us to fall squarely on "take away from". 

Why do you think not altering His Word was so important to God that He instructed Moses to proclaim this warning in Deuteronomy 4:2?

Perhaps 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLV) can answer that for us. 

In this passage we read, “16 All the Holy Writings are God-given and are made alive by Him. Man is helped when he is taught God’s Word. It shows what is wrong. It changes the way of a man’s life. It shows him how to be right with God. 17 It gives the man who belongs to God everything he needs to work well for Him.

My dear friend, God’s Word is perfect because He is perfect. In its perfection it accomplishes much, as the above verses tell us. Our life-experience filter cannot diminish the supernatural power and intended purposes of God’s Word. 

It diminishes our response to it.

Instead of filtering our perception of God and His Word through life’s circumstances, we can ask God to help us view our circumstances through the lens of His Truth.

In doing so, we will see a lot clearer.