It always scares me when I hear someone say, "What Jesus meant was... or What Jesus was really saying was..." I understand very well first hand how this can be played out having served as a pastor, church planter and missionary. While well meaning in trying to help people understand the Bible, God's Word, we can inadvertently put words in God's mouth that in reality are not in the Bible.
Pastors, teachers, seminary professors and any Jesus follower need to heed the warning of scripture. Regardless of biblical scholar's interpretations and commentaries, scripture tells us, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." Isaiah 40:8. Regardless of our attempts to explain scripture, it will be around long after you and I pass on from this world.
This is a very subjective area, as those who preach, teach, and share from God's Word feel the need to expound on what is written in the Bible and rightly so. We are told to rightly divide the word of truth so we can correctly teach it to others. My guess is that one hundred percent of those who teach, preach, or just have every day conversations about the Bible don't believe they are putting words into God's mouth. Growing up in church my entire life and having served as I have, trust me, I have heard people put words into God's mouth. I must confess, I too stand accused of having done so. While trying my best to expound and expose what is in scripture, I am sure I have added my, "What Jesus really meant was..." many times. So, I hope you understand I am not pointing my fingers at anyone, because I am certainly to blame as well.
So, next time you sit down to talk about what is written in the Bible, make sure not to put words in God's mouth and I promise not to as well.
