AutoCorrect?

As I prepare text messages on my cell phone, I often find the AutoCorrect feature to be an irritating interruption to my messages. I carefully plan what I desire to convey to the recipient. I choose my words carefully and I say what I mean. Then, without any invitation from me, the AutoCorrect feature changes what I have written to what its internal computer determines should have been written. The battle then begins. I rewrite my initial message and AutoCorrect again changes the script.

Many outside factors attempt to auto correct the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The truth is twisted by subtle lies placed in the hearts of men by the enemy of our souls. Jesus said of the devil, “… He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.” (John 8:44b AMP) Starting in the Garden of Eden, the enemy began challenging the validity of God’s Word. “Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1 AMP) Beginning with the validity of the Word, the twisting occurs.

God’s nature is challenged as love and protection appear to be limiting and demeaning. His true nature is love and as His children we also learn to respond in love. “He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.” (1 John 4:8-10 AMP) Where our culture’s view may be, “Look out for number one,” God’s standard is “Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4 AMP) Unlike those around us we are to live a sacrificial life of serving.

Our culture has attempted to change the meanings of many of God’s teachings. By doing so, many people have a very inaccurate and confusing image of God. The Lord is often pictured as a harsh, demanding taskmaster. The truth is totally the opposite. “The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3 AMP) Jesus did not come to bring more rules and regulations. He came to rescue those who are hurting. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10 AMP)

Christians can be affected by this AutoCorrect function’s subtle changing the Word of God. When we rely on our understanding, many of God’s precepts do not make sense. We may be willing to forgive someone who acknowledges and is sorry for their wrongdoings, but that is not what Jesus said. We are to forgive anyone who has hurt us whether they have a desire to be forgiven are not. “But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44 AMP) This forgiveness requires the action of praying for the people you do not feel deserve forgiveness.

We must always be careful! The examples of AutoCorrect on the true meaning of the Word of God are endless. These are just a few examples. The only way to fight back against the AutoCorrect of our culture is with the word of God. Scripture is for our benefit. “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 AMP) The Bible is our only source of truth and wisdom. Wisdom is still essential to all. “How much better it is to get skillful and godly Wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” (Proverbs 16:16 AMP)

The Word of God will remain forever. People and circumstances may try to alter it. “But the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:25 AMP) We must continually stay true to Scripture and all it contains. God has chosen Hs words carefully and said exactly what He meant to say. When anything attempts to change the truth, we must “…refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” (2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP)

Using the word of God, keep your message both to others and to yourself accurate. It may sometimes involve a battle with factors attempting to AutoCorrect it, but the true message is always the best.