Some people who preach the gospel, who spread and testify for God’s work make a grave mistake—they cut out those words of God in response to which religious people are most likely to develop notions, giving potential gospel recipients an abridged, concise version of God’s words. Their excuse is that they do this to prevent people from developing notions and misunderstandings, but is this right? All of God’s words are the truth. Regardless of whether people have notions and whether or not they accept or love these words, the truth is the truth; those who accept it can be saved, while those who do not will perish. Whoever rejects the truth deserves to die and to perish. What does this have to do with those who spread the gospel? Those who spread the gospel should let people read God’s original words rather than abridging them for fear that people will have notions. When people investigate the true way, they want to see how God’s original words are spoken, what kind of content lies within them, and what God’s most original statements on certain matters are. People want to know: “You say that God is the Creator, so what are the words that He speaks? What is His style of speaking?” You insist on altering those of God’s words which are not in line with human notions, like when religious people explain the Bible everything they say is in accordance with human notions; you insist on showing people a version of God’s words that has been tampered with and do not let them see His words in their original form. What is this all about? Do you also have notions about these words of God? Do you, like religious people, believe that those of His words which are not in line with human notions are not the truth, that the truth is only those words which fit with human notions? If so, that’s human error. No matter how God’s words are spoken and whether or not they are in line with the notions of man, they are the truth. It is only because corrupt humans do not have and do not know the truth that they develop notions about God’s words—this is the foolishness and ignorance of man. You fail to clearly see that God’s words are especially practical and concrete for a specific effect, and you are even less aware of how poor man’s caliber is, and how difficult it is for people to understand if God’s words are too concise and theoretical. Recall that when the Lord Jesus appeared to perform work, many disciples couldn’t understand His words and had to ask Him to give examples and tell parables in order to grasp their meaning. Isn’t that so? Today, when I speak with too much detail and specificity, you complain that it is too long-winded. When I speak in depth you do not understand, but when I generalize and theorize you take it as doctrine. Humans are difficult in this way. In God’s words, there is now divine language as well as human language, there is both conciseness and specificity, and there have been many examples that expose people’s various states. Some words seem too detailed for those who already understand the truth, but for new believers they are just right, and it would be difficult to achieve results without this level of detail and specificity. It is just like parents bringing up children; when the children are young, the parents need to do many detailed things, but they can stop doing them once the children become sensible and can take care of themselves. This is understood by people, so why can they not understand the matter of God’s work? New believers must read words that are shallower and supported with examples, words that are comparatively detailed and meticulous. Those who have believed in God for years and understand some truths must read words that are comparatively deep and that they can grasp. No matter how God speaks, it is all meant to allow people to understand the truth, cast off their corrupt dispositions, and enter the truth reality. He speaks in order to achieve these results. Whether His words are deep or shallow, whether people can reach them or not, understanding the truth and entering the truth reality are not easy. Do not think that just because you are of good caliber and can grasp deep truths, you already possess the shallow truths and possess reality. Is that the case? The truth about being an honest person alone is enough for a lifetime of experience. No matter how shallow God’s words, no matter how many examples He gives, you might not enter into reality even after ten or eight years of experience. So, when approaching God’s words, it is wrong to look at their depth. This view is incorrect. It is best for one to pay close attention to reality; it’s not that you have reality just because you have the comprehension ability and can understand the truth. If you cannot practice the truth, even the best comprehension will just be empty doctrines for you. You must put the truth into practice, you must have experience and knowledge—only in this way will your comprehension be practical. Everyone who complains that God’s words are too detailed or trivial is arrogant and self-righteous and does not have any truth reality. Can man fathom the wisdom of God’s words and His thoughts? Many people are too arrogant and ignorant in their attitude toward God’s words, acting as if they have much truth reality, when in fact they do not practice the truth and cannot speak any genuine testimony at all. They can only speak empty words of theory; they are theorists and frauds. How should those who truly pursue the truth read God’s words? They should seek the truth. Seeking the truth encompasses and involves many things, so can it be talked about without detail? Can results be achieved without speaking specifically and comprehensively? Can people truly understand without the support of many examples? Many people think that some of God’s words are too shallow—well then, how many of these shallow words have you entered? What experiential testimony can you share? If you haven’t even entered into these shallow words, can you grasp the deeper ones? Can you truly understand them? Don’t fancy yourself clever, don’t be arrogant and self-righteous!

Let’s return to the issue of tampering with God’s words. God’s house has published the standardized version of The Word Appears in the Flesh, and no one is allowed to make the slightest alterations. No standard version of God’s words can be altered by anyone, and if someone does alter them then it will be treated as tampering with His words. Those who tamper with His words do not have the least understanding of the longing of all those who yearn for the truth and look forward to reading God’s words. These people want to read the accurate, standard version of His words, which are the original words of God, the expressions of His original meaning and intention. People who love the truth are all like this. People don’t understand God’s original intention, purpose, and meaning for doing all this work and speaking all these words, nor why He speaks in such detail. People do not understand, yet they analyze and summarize with their minds, and end up tampering with those of God’s original words which are not in line with human notions. As a result, when others finish reading those of God’s words which have been tampered with, it is difficult for them to understand His original meaning. Does this not influence their understanding of the truth and their life entry? What is the problem here? It is that those who alter God’s words lack a God-fearing heart. Theirs is a disbeliever’s method; as soon as they act, their satanic disposition reveals itself. They always have some opinions and ideas about what God has done and said, and they always want to handle and process these things, to reach out with their black devilish claws and change God’s words into their own sayings. This is Satan’s nature—arrogance. When God speaks some real words, some everyday words that are close to humanity, people meet them with disdain and look down on them, approaching them with a contemptuous attitude. They always want to use human knowledge and imagining to make some revisions and change the style. Is this not disgusting? (It is.) By all means, you must not do this. You must act dutifully. God’s words are God’s words, and no matter how He speaks, they must maintain their original form and not be altered. Only live sermons can be slightly reorganized, as long as it is only a minor refinement and does not change the original meaning. The original meaning absolutely must not be changed. If you do not have the truth then do not alter; anyone who alters will have to take responsibility. God’s house assigns several people to organize sermons and fellowship, but they must organize them according to principles, and absolutely must not tamper with anything. Those who do not have spiritual understanding and do not understand the truth should not meddle, lest they face punishment. Since you are one of God’s chosen people, you should read His words diligently, focus on understanding the truth and entering into reality, and not doubt God’s words or the truth. Most of all, do not use your mind and knowledge to scrutinize God’s words. It’s not good to always engage in evil practices; once you offend God’s disposition, it will be very troublesome for you. Some people understand a bit of biblical knowledge; they study theology for a couple of days and read a few books, and then think they understand the truth, know their stuff, and are capable. But what good is your little capability? Can you bear witness to God? Do you have the truth reality? Can you bring people into God’s presence? Your little bit of theory and scholarship does not represent the truth in the slightest. God in His humanity speaks some words that allow people to grasp the meaning, some words that are easier for mankind to understand, but people are always unconvinced, wanting to change His words. They want to change His words to be in line with their notions, to suit their tastes and wishes, to make them comfortable to hear and easy on the eyes and heart. What kind of disposition is this? It is an arrogant disposition. Doing things without any truth principles at all and acting according to Satan’s ways will easily disrupt and disturb the work of God’s house. This is a very dangerous matter! Once you offend God’s disposition, it will be quite troublesome, and there is a danger of being eliminated.

Some people feel aversion when they see that God’s words speak of the path of practice for life entry in great detail. In that case, if they saw all those laws, decrees, and statutes that God promulgated in the Old Testament, would they not feel even greater aversion? And if they then went on to read the even more detailed words of the Bible’s original commandments, would they not develop notions? They would think: “These words are too trivial. What can be said clearly in one sentence is stretched to three or four. They should be more concise and straightforward, so that people can see everything at a glance and understand just from listening to one sentence. How great it would be if they were not so long-winded, but instead simple, easy to understand, and easy to practice. Wouldn’t these bear witness to and glorify God more effectively?” This thought seems correct, but do you think that reading God’s words should be like reading a novel, where smoother is better? God’s words are the truth; they require contemplation, and one must practice and experience them in order to understand and gain the truth. The less that God’s words align with human notions, the more truth there is in them. In fact, no aspects of the truth are in line with human notions; they are not something people have seen or experienced before but are fresh words. However, after reading and experiencing them for several years, you will know that all of God’s words are the truth. Some people always have notions about God’s words. Where does this problem originate? Where are they going wrong? This problem shows that people do not know God’s work or His disposition. Every sentence He speaks is practical and factual, using the everyday language of humans without resorting to using theoretical or knowledgeable language. This is most beneficial for people’s understanding of the truth. There is nobody who can grasp this matter clearly—only God’s work and His words are the most practical and realistic. People verbally acknowledge: “God’s words are all correct. His words are beneficial to people, but people do not understand God. He knows best what people’s needs are, and He knows how to speak so that people understand. His way of admonishing and telling people is easier to accept. God knows people’s inner structure and what kind of thoughts and notions they have, and He knows even better what people need most, while people themselves have no idea.” But when you look at God’s words, you want to simplify them and change them to align with man’s notions and tastes. Can God’s words still be the truth then? Can they still be His words? Would they not become man’s words? Isn’t this kind of thinking too arrogant and self-righteous? God’s words are the truth, regardless of whether they fit with man’s notions and imaginings. No matter how many words He speaks and how detailed they are, God’s words are not spoken in vain. If He adds one sentence it is to help people better understand, which is beneficial for them. If He were to leave one sentence out, people would not understand so well, and it would be easier for Satan to exploit this situation. Most people are of poor caliber, and they cannot grasp the words unless God elaborates and speaks in detail. People are all numb and dull-witted, so not one sentence should be left out; were any aspect not spoken of thoroughly, people would not understand that aspect—you might understand it, but someone else won’t; a group of you might understand it, but another group might not. There will always be those who do not understand. God does not speak to you alone; He speaks to all mankind, to all who have ears and are able to understand what God says. Is your perspective too narrow? People can only see what’s right in front of them, thinking: “I understand this sentence; why does God still need to explain it in so much detail?” If it’s too simple, those of good caliber will understand it, but those of average caliber will not be able to; if God elaborates a few sentences for people of average caliber, you take exception. Does that mean you are someone who accepts the truth? Where do these objections of yours come from? Is this not the arrogant disposition of Satan? When God does something that is even a little at odds with your notions, when He reveals a little of all that He has and is—cherishing, understanding, caring for, being concerned about, and comprehensively looking after people—you think that God is being long-winded, that He is saying too much, wasting time on trivialities, that He should not do so; this is exactly how you believe in your notions. This is your impression of God, your knowledge of Him, this is how you see Him. So is your belief that “everything God does is right, God understands man the most” just doctrine? To you, it has become doctrine; your knowledge of God doesn’t tally with what He reveals, there is no correlation. What’s more, that’s not how you act toward God; you treat His words and work according to your notions and imaginings, according to your arrogant disposition. Are you someone who accepts the truth? You are not someone who accepts the truth, nor are you one who has a God-fearing heart. Faced with God’s words and doings, you are able to judge, complain, speculate, doubt, deny, resist, and have choices. Are you a true believer in God? If you cannot submit to God’s work, can you gain the truth? If this is how you treat God’s words, His work, the truth, all that He has and is, and everything that comes from Him, then can you attain His salvation? If you cannot gain the truth, you will be subject to punishment.

In your approach to God’s words, do not analyze or scrutinize them, do not be cunning, do not doubt, and do not rack your brains. Treat them as you would treat the truth—this is the smartest approach. Whatever you do, do not say to yourself: “I am a modern person, I am knowledgeable and well-educated, I know grammar, I studied such-and-such a major, I’m adept at a certain skill or profession, I understand, I comprehend. God does not know. Though God understands all mankind, He doesn’t have anything aside from the truth, He doesn’t understand professional matters, there’s nothing He’s good at, He only knows how to express the truth.” That’s right. God can only express the truth, and He can see through all things because He is the truth. He holds sovereignty over the fate of mankind, and He controls your destiny. None can escape the sovereignty and arrangements of God. What should people’s attitude toward God’s words be? It should be to listen, submit, accept, and practice with utmost compliance—this is the attitude people should have. Whatever you do, do not scrutinize. I have spoken many words to you, but you can only accept a portion of them. You do not accept any words that are not in line with human notions—you even resist and refute them in your hearts. You only accept those words which are in line with human notions and reject those which are not. Can you gain the truth this way? Are words that do not conform to human notions really not the truth? Do you dare to be sure about this? Then I must ask you, how much of the truth do you understand? What truths do you possess? Share testimony of all the truths you understand, then, and let everyone decide whether or not they are the truth. If you can admit that you do not have the truth, that means that you have reason. If you truly have reason, do you still dare to conclude that words that do not conform with human notions are not the truth? Do you still dare to gamble with God? As a created human being, do not be too arrogant and self-righteous, do not think so highly of yourself. You do not know the truth at all; you would not be able to fully experience a single sentence of God’s words in your lifetime, nor would you be able to understand or live them out in your lifetime. If you can understand a part of them and put them into practice, that is already not bad. Humans are so impoverished and pitiful—this is the truth of the matter. Since they are so impoverished and pitiful, why are they also so arrogant and self-righteous? This is what makes them both pitiful and hateful. I advise people to read God’s words in an obedient way, to abandon their notions as soon as they arise, and to treat God’s words as the truth and do their best to ponder them, and then experience them; perhaps then they will be able to understand what the truth is. Don’t care about how detailed and long-winded God’s words are. If you can understand and experience them, and then testify for them, only that is when you can be considered to be capable. It is similar to how people are always particular about which kinds of food they eat, thinking some are tasty and others are not. And what comes of this? The tasty foods are not necessarily rich in nutrition, and the foods you dislike do not necessarily have less nutrition; they may even have more and better nutrients. People have difficulty distinguishing what is and is not the truth, what comes from God, and what comes from man. Only after understanding the truth can they discern some of it; those who do not understand the truth cannot see through anything. If you know you lack perception, you should remain humble, lowkey, and seek the truth more. This is what a smart person does. If you cannot see through anything yet still carry on with blind arrogance, daring to judge everything and criticize whoever speaks, then you are totally without reason. Don’t you agree this is how it is? Whatever one does, they must not bare their fangs in the presence of the truth. They must maintain a God-fearing heart and seek the truth in all things—only this is a truly intelligent and wise person.