No Cheat Codes Available

(Proverbs 6:21 KJV)  Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

Is the Bible to be taken literally or figuratively?  Some believers make literal interpretation on a par with belief in the resurrection of Jesus.  Verses like this call us to a more rational approach.  We see examples of both types of applications.

First you have the figurative suggestion.  No one in their right mind would think you could physically “bind” (7194) anything to you “heart” (3820).   We are reminded of the Jewish practice of phylacteries.  They would tie small passages of scripture on their body as a reminder of the word of God.  Handy but not real practical to put a string around the organ pumping blood through your body.

To literally tie something around your “neck” (1621) is possible.  This could be done and is done.  Are we actually supposed to do it or is it just a way of reminding us to live by the commandments of God?

The real controversy is not between figurative and literal.  The divergence comes between those who want to obey and those who are looking for a loophole.  If all we need to do is tie a little box containing a Bible verse around our neck or wear a WWJD bracelet then it is not necessary to actually love our neighbor as ourselves or God with all our heart, soul, body and mind.  God knows the difference and so do we, even if we won’t admit it.

So?  Don’t play games with God.  He is not like the video game you bought.  With those you learn how to go on line and find the cheat codes that let you win big without going through the learning curve.  God doesn’t provide cheat codes.  He is not a gamer, He is Lord.