In 2008, a scandal erupted in China when it was discovered that several milk producers had been adulterating cow's milk by secretly adding a chemical called Melamine. Melamine artificially boosts protein readings in milk, thus making such milk more attractive to the consumer. Unfortunately, the chemical frequently produces detrimental effects on humans. Consequently, by November 2008 China reported an estimated 300,000 victims, with 6 infants dying from kidney stones or kidney damage, and an estimated 54,000 babies being hospitalized.
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A far more injurious form of adulteration occurs when translators, publishers, preachers and teachers adulterate the "pure milk of the Word" (1 Pet. 2:2) by adding to it.
Attempts to do so actually occurred as far back as the first century. Peter warned, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” 1 Pet. 2:1. John also cautioned, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Countless additional efforts to add to God’s word have transpired through the centuries. When Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, he added the word allein (only) to Romans 3:28, making it say, “…a man is justified by faith (only) apart from the works of the law.” Tragically, millions have been duped into believing just that.
Others continue their efforts to adulterate God’s word by teaching and promoting such unscriptural practices as woman preachers, same-sex marriage, many roads to heaven, one church is as good as another, etc.
It would behoove us to carefully examine and reject any teaching that endorses practices or doctrines different than what the Bible authorizes. To do otherwise might prove fatal to our souls.
The Lord has given man His Word, His will He has made known;
Let [no] man try to change [God’s] Word with words that are his own. - D. DeHaan
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis