What is meant by adding or subtracting from God’s commands?

Deuteronomy 4:2“Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.”

The laws and regulations that Moses repeats in Deuteronomy were the very Word of God. When we disobey or disregard one of God’s laws, or when we add to his commands, we devalue God in our minds and put ourselves in great peril. To add or subtract from God’s law means to do what we think is right rather than to trust what God says is right. Adding to God’s commands leads to legalism; subtracting from God’s commands leads to licentiousness. Both are equally dangerous.

Proverbs 30:5-6Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

When we find something in God’s Word that we don’t like, don’t understand, or don’t agree with, we may be tempted to ignore or change it. But because we are dealing with God’s Word, we should suspect that the real problem lies in our sinful character, lack of understanding, or unwillingness to trust God—not in God’s Word.

Revelation 22:18-19I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.

Although John’s warning applies mainly to the book of Revelation, it reminds us that all God’s words are holy and have been provided for God’s purposes and our benefit. Rejecting any of them through addition or subtraction is a tragic mistake.