Curiosity and Compromise
By Harold Stoddard

' It is born within man to be curious about that which he cannot or does not know or understand. This curiosity may be a blessing in one instance and a curse in another.
Eve did not know or understand why God put a restriction regarding the fruit of the tree in the center of the Garden of Eden, so with the encouragement of Satan she gave way to her curiosity and took of the forbidden fruit and brought a curse upon the entire human race.
However we do know that the curiosity of man can be a blessing for in many cases such as in the field of medicine for instance, man's curiosity to know more of physical ailments have brought forth medicines and surgical knowledge that have been a great benefit throughout the ages. Nevertheless that old serpent, the same one who deceived Eve, still has a hand in earth's activities and brings on, through curiosity, many drugs, etc. that are harmful to our race.

There has been a growing trend in the last several years among religious men to prove or disprove the Bible by scientific means. This is nothing new really' it is only a splinter off the method Satan used with Eve in the Garden some 6000 years ago. Paul warned young Timothy of this. We quote I Timothy 6:20 -- "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:" (KJV)
Men have turned to science to prove God's Word; we know of course who is guiding folks in this. Men have decided that they may change God's Word according to what they think or what they can understand. Without doubt, that same old serpent is still at work using the curiosity of men to discredit our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
It is a marvel to think that 'intelligent' men would still fall into the same trap that Eve did so many years ago but it has happened and is quite
common today...and what havoc it has caused in local assemblies!

You probably remember some time back when it was common for a local church in their services to stand together and read the Bible in unison. In most churches this is not possible anymore unless the verses to be read are printed in the bulletin or flashed on a screen, for the results would be only confusion. There would be a few Bibles among the congregation and many perversion. That, of course, would be a delight to Satan for he is the author of confusion.
The method of these perversions is somewhat varied, sometimes leaving out verses or adding one here and there, but the most effective for the greatest deception, is to simply add or subract a word here and there just as "Satan did back in the Garden. Notice Gen. 3:4 where by adding only one word, Satan convinced Eve that God was a liar. That old serpent is most interested today in bringing discredit to the blessed and Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such is the intent as a word is added to Gen. 22:8 that most certainly discredits the Diety of our Lord; also one word consisting of one letter, is added to John 1:1 that sets Jesus on sort of a god-shelf among the idols and gods of the heathen world.

We have no doubt that this trend to perversion will in time and I think soon, develop a Bible that will be acceptable in the great end time church led by the antichrist himself and will finally be destroyed as the Bible predicts in the Book of the Revelation, Chapter 17. While most folks tend to take this subject lightly it is of the utmost importance and there are no words in our language that express the seriousness of this trend of perverting the scriptures in our day.

The reason for all this perversion of the scriptures is two-fold. First, we may say that lost men in defiance of the Almighty, fall into the control of Satan himself as Judas did in the betrayal of Jesus. Most of them like Judas never realized the seriousness of their actions, thinking to enhance their pride or profit -- remember the thirty pieces of silver.
On the other hand, we have sincere and honest men who in their desire to understand the scriptures better and not knowing God's formula for understanding,make the scriptures say what makes sense to their old nature based on the education they have received from the world apart from God.. Having said all this, we must jot down God's formula for proper understanding of His Word that you may grow thereby --
2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (KJV)
Knowing that you are studying a word that is forever settled in heaven (Psa. 119:89) you can memorize it for it will be the same tomorrow as today and forever more. Perhaps some, or much, of it will be hard to understand but don't fret about that for God has provided for that as well:
I Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." KJV
In due time, God's Spirit will give you the understanding you need. There are many good folks who you may look to for help and many commentaries are beneficial, but it is always of benefit to wait upon the Lord...Isaiah 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." )KJV)

Remember this -- God gave us a reliable English version of His Word in the year 1611, the King James Bible. It has proven reliable for these many years by numerous folks with a sincere love for the Lord Jesus Christ and it is the best word we will ever have until we see Him face to face.
God does all things in His time. As you wait upon Him, read 1 Peter 5:6 or Romans 5:6 or Deuteronomy 32:35 and on and on, for faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

So then, with your feet planted firmly on the solid ROCK, CHRIST JESUS, study the Word with all diligence. Believe, trust and obey. In due time understanding will come by the Spirit of the Almighty.

We close with an invitaion and a warning from the last book of the Bible:
THE INVITATION:
Revelation 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (KJV)
THE WARNING:
Revelation 22:18-19 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (KJV)