In Luke 11:11, Jesus said, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?”

In this passage, Jesus was telling how much more the Father in Heaven cares for his children. God knew that man by himself was not capable of finding his way to heaven without the divine guidance.

Jeremiah wrote, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23).

The prophet knew of man’s weakness and that guidance was needed. The people of his day stumbled time and time again failing to follow God and seeking their own way. God wanted them to follow him, but they determined not to follow him.

Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17).

God’s word is profitable. It shows what man must do to please God (obeying the gospel) and then tells man how to live (Col. 3). God’s word is from the mind of God. It is not man’s thoughts on what God said; it is from God.

Jesus told his apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. The Spirit was to direct them into all truth, to remind them of the things they had been taught. The Spirit would not speak of himself but would testify of Christ, glorifying Him (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13,14).

The Spirit came upon the apostles on the Day of Pentecost just as Christ had said (Acts 2). On that day they were able to speak in foreign languages so that the nations gathered in Jerusalem were able to hear them (Acts 2:5-8).

The word of God is not to be changed. Man has tried, but it will never work. Men have and will try to change the word to fit what they want, but this has not changed the true word of God. This was tried in the days of the apostles; it was wrong then and it is wrong now.

The apostle Paul wrote, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

“As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:6-12).

Those who would seek to change God’s word should study this passage carefully. To be accursed means to be cut off totally from God.

The Bible is for man - it must be studied and obeyed if man is to have eternal life. It is man’s divine guide.