The Special of the Day... From the Orange Moon Cafe...
(a repeat from 2009)
"It Is Written?"
Satan views the Scriptures as a viable weapon in his hands, even to the degree of wielding it to tempt the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone" (Matthew 4:5-6).
The devil misapplied the truth. The Lord Jesus countered with the rightly interpreted and applied Word of God. "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God" (Matthew 4:7). This presents a powerful lesson to us concerning Scripture: both God and Satan seek to communicate the Bible to us. The latter misrepresents the truth, but often very subtly and skillfully. To the unsuspecting, our enemy will subtly wield the Scriptural sword in a distorted manner that may wound us even as we are seeking the healing light of God. Failure to understand this danger guarantees our deception, particularly in a generation wherein so many voices and influences beckon to us.
"Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone" (Matthew 4:5-6).
The devil misapplied the truth. The Lord Jesus countered with the rightly interpreted and applied Word of God. "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God" (Matthew 4:7). This presents a powerful lesson to us concerning Scripture: both God and Satan seek to communicate the Bible to us. The latter misrepresents the truth, but often very subtly and skillfully. To the unsuspecting, our enemy will subtly wield the Scriptural sword in a distorted manner that may wound us even as we are seeking the healing light of God. Failure to understand this danger guarantees our deception, particularly in a generation wherein so many voices and influences beckon to us.
"Try (test) the spirits, whether they be of God or not, because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1).
A friend recently gave me a book describing the views of a particular movement that ostensibly prides itself on adherence to the Word of God. Sadly, however, many in this group have no qualms about redefining the meaning of long established Biblical words. They rely on their theology to interpret Scripture rather than allowing Scripture to say what it says (a tendency against which we must all be on guard). The serpent's subtle voice can be heard in the distortions as he wields the Bible as a weapon against the unsuspecting. "If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:23).
We are a race prone to deception, and allowed by God to live our lives in close proximity to the devil and his influences of darkness (I Peter 5:8). Wise is the believer who understands this, and who recognizes the devil can deceive people with distortions of truth as well as obvious falsehood. Every believer instantly recognizes the darkness of the latter, and quickly arises to stand against it. The Bible, however, is so blessed and perfect in its declaration that if someone opens its pages and declares, "It is written," we may let our guard down. But is it really written? Does the perspective meet the "precept upon precept, line upon line" protocol for proper interpretation of Scripture? (Isaiah 28:10). We must increasingly know the Word of God ourselves, and also be keenly vigilant regarding those who communicate it. We will not find perfect voices and pens, of course, but even in times such as these, a remnant remains through whom the authentic light of God shines. May our Lord lead us to them, may He protect them, and may He raise up many more who brightly shine as faithful lights in the darkness.
"Such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
(II Corinthians 11:13-15)
A friend recently gave me a book describing the views of a particular movement that ostensibly prides itself on adherence to the Word of God. Sadly, however, many in this group have no qualms about redefining the meaning of long established Biblical words. They rely on their theology to interpret Scripture rather than allowing Scripture to say what it says (a tendency against which we must all be on guard). The serpent's subtle voice can be heard in the distortions as he wields the Bible as a weapon against the unsuspecting. "If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:23).
We are a race prone to deception, and allowed by God to live our lives in close proximity to the devil and his influences of darkness (I Peter 5:8). Wise is the believer who understands this, and who recognizes the devil can deceive people with distortions of truth as well as obvious falsehood. Every believer instantly recognizes the darkness of the latter, and quickly arises to stand against it. The Bible, however, is so blessed and perfect in its declaration that if someone opens its pages and declares, "It is written," we may let our guard down. But is it really written? Does the perspective meet the "precept upon precept, line upon line" protocol for proper interpretation of Scripture? (Isaiah 28:10). We must increasingly know the Word of God ourselves, and also be keenly vigilant regarding those who communicate it. We will not find perfect voices and pens, of course, but even in times such as these, a remnant remains through whom the authentic light of God shines. May our Lord lead us to them, may He protect them, and may He raise up many more who brightly shine as faithful lights in the darkness.
"Such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
(II Corinthians 11:13-15)
Weekly Memory Verse
His commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.
(I John 5:3-4)
(I John 5:3-4)
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