In a recent Dilbert cartoon, the character Dogbert explained that he was re-writing the dialogue of Shakespeare’s plays. This audacious endeavor prompted Dilbert to proclaim, “I admire your confidence.”

In their arrogance, some people are so confident that they, in effect, try to re-write the Bible. They feel that they can make some improvements on what the Lord has to say. They offer their “corrections” without hesitation. They show no humility whatsoever, but in their pride insist that they know better than God. Some of God’s commands are presented as mere suggestions. Others are said to be way too harsh and strict. Some Scripture is said to be outdated. People give all kinds of reasons for re-writing the Bible to make it more palatable to their preconceived notions.

Let us be very careful that we do not attempt to “improve” the Word of God in any way! We must accept it for what it says, without any changes whatsoever!

“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”—2 Peter 3:15-16.