Category: Satan and Policy of Evil

Curious Arts and Christian Hearts #3

Sunday, September 5, 2021

“And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:17-20 KJV).

What wise guidance can we derive from today’s Scripture?

Although national Israel was unbelieving and refusing Jesus Christ throughout the Book of Acts, the Holy Spirit through Luke made it a point to accentuate how idolatrous Gentiles were coming by faith to Christ and forsaking their pagan religion paraphernalia. Here, the Ephesians—steeped in their witchcraft/occult/sorcery/magic—believed Christ died for their sins, was buried, and raised again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Their heart faith resulted in a profound change in lifestyle.

We want to concentrate particularly on what they did with their heathen books. Instead of doing as the thoughtless pastor I knew years ago who distributed his false teaching books to his friends who were still trapped in the theological system he had recently renounced as void of the truth, the saints at Ephesus burned those books for everyone to see. Not only so, the value of those witchcraft volumes was estimated to be 50,000 pieces of silver. These were likely drachmas, each silver coin worth about a day’s wages. In total, the price of these works was as much as 137 years’ salary!!

However (please note, again), instead of selling them and thereby harming others, these saints burned those books. Their hearts were not materialistic but spiritual, quite mature in sound Bible doctrine. Again, as opposed to distributing the literature to people who wanted them—relatives, neighbors, and friends who were still pagan—they destroyed those books so no one else would be polluted with the Satan worship that had deceived them! (Brethren, if we have an eye to see, an ear to hear, and a heart to believe, we can learn something here as well.)

The Holy Spirit closes the narrative by underscoring Satan’s loss: “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed!”

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Curious Arts and Christian Hearts #2

Saturday, September 4, 2021

“And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:17-20 KJV).

What wise guidance can we derive from today’s Scripture?

Those in Ephesus who had believed Paul’s Gospel—Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)—publicly acknowledged their sin problem and former lifestyle. In fact, Luke records that one of their responses to hearing and believing those precious words of God was their abandonment of “curious arts,” even going so far as to set on fire its related books.

Our Authorized Version translators handled the Greek word “perierga” here, found only one other time in Scripture. “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies [periergoi], speaking things which they ought not” (1 Timothy 5:13). A “busybody” is simply a meddling or prying person, one too involved in the affairs or lives of others. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines the word as: “busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters, especially busy about other folks’ affairs, a busybody.” If we take into consideration what has gone before, it is quite easy to see “curious arts” are an investigation into things unnecessary, useless, profitless.

The pagans in Ephesus believed the Gospel of Grace, and they had such a radical change in lifestyle they subsequently brought their “curious arts” books and burned them in front of everyone. Remembering their heathen region, we should view these books as nothing more than volumes of magical spells or incantations or prayers. In other words, they had intruded into the occult, witchcraft, or sorcery! Such needless and worthless information was the Devil’s realm, so they as Christians rightfully destroyed them. We as members of the Church the Body of Christ should follow their example….

Curious Arts and Christian Hearts #1

Friday, September 3, 2021

“And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:17-20 KJV).

What wise guidance can we derive from today’s Scripture?

Paul, on his third apostolic journey, has just arrived in Ephesus (modern western Turkey): “[11] And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: [12] So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. [13] Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. [14] And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. [15] And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? [16] And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

Some apostate (unbelieving) Jews unsuccessfully attempted to counterfeit Paul’s miracles. However, the news of the Lord working through Paul spreads far and wide in Asia Minor. Now, we get to today’s Scripture: “[17] And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. [18] And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. [19] Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” What are these “curious arts,” and how did their practitioners renounce such belief systems? Let us search and see….

Accepted in the Beloved

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:5,6 KJV).

Friend, are you looking for acceptance today? Find it in the Lord Jesus Christ!

In this confused world, desperate souls always seek acceptance. They are willing to do practically anything to get it too. Since their parents ignore them, young people will turn to gangs where they feel wanted. A neglected husband or wife might pursue an extramarital affair for the sake of finding “true love.” Lowly workers may strive to fill management positions in hopes of gaining more respect. Academics might enroll in additional education to appeal to their colleagues. The reality is, no matter what we do, we may never be accepted anyway. Due to sin, we will never gain some people’s affection, respect, or approval.

Yes, it is only human nature to want to be valued. In the grand scheme of things, however, what matters is not our earthly associations but rather our heavenly ones! While we may obtain numerous advanced educational degrees, earn huge salaries, drive luxurious vehicles, dwell in castles, have attractive spouses and decent children, enjoy good physical health, and own various forms of entertainment; these are all temporary. As the mind ages, specialized training diminishes. Fortunes are lost in financial crises. Automobiles break down. Mansions crumble. “Beautiful” mates grow slower, grayer, and wrinklier. Children become uncontrollable. Health fails. Entertainment develops into monotony.

To find true acceptance, we must look to God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). “…[M]y beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased…” (Matthew 12:18). “…[T]he Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). When we trust Christ’s finished crosswork at Calvary as sufficient payment for our sins, we acquire His identify before the Father—gaining His unconditional love forever. We are “accepted in the beloved” (today’s Scripture). By the way, the Greek word translated “accepted” here (“kecharitomene”) was rendered “highly favoured” concerning Mary the virgin when God chose her as the mother of His Son’s human body (Luke 1:28)!

The Good Samaritan #7

Monday, August 23, 2021

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33,34 KJV).

How can this classic passage, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, enlighten us concerning God’s purpose and plan for the nation Israel?

The lawyer in the context of today’s Scripture was incorrect (verse 29). Using Jesus’ definition, a “neighbour” is anyone we encounter in life whom we can and should help—not necessarily someone whose house is next to ours, but even complete strangers. Here was the original teaching of Leviticus 19:18, as JEHOVAH God Himself described for us here during His earthly ministry (verses 30-35). To show the impossibility of a sinner keeping the Law, the Lord ordered the lawyer to love everyone (!) he met to the degree (!) the Samaritan loved the wounded traveler (verses 36,37). Yet, have carefully examined that well-known story, we can look at it with mature spiritual eyes to see more than the common, simple Sunday school children’s lesson of “Jesus wants us to do good to others.” The Parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates what the Lord Jesus Himself did and will do for Israel.

Whereas the Law of Moses (the priest and the Levite) could do nothing but condemn Israel as a nation of sinners worthy of death (spiritual and functional), Christ (the Samaritan) offered them grace, forgiveness, and restoration through the New Covenant. He delivered her from deception in Satan’s evil world system by imparting spiritual light to her (preaching during His earthly ministry). When they rejected Him to the point of crucifixion and exile to Heaven, He temporarily left her in the care of His 12 Apostles, kingdom doctrine being their “goods” to trade until His Second Coming (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 12:35-48; Luke 19:11-27). When He returns from His Heavenly Father’s right hand, He will bless Israel with the New Covenant, forgiving their sins and making them His kingdom of priests (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-28; Acts 3:19-21; Romans 11:25-32; 1 Peter 2:9,10). No more will they be helpless and hopeless, for the Samaritan was “neighbour unto them!” 🙂

The Good Samaritan #5

Saturday, August 21, 2021

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33,34 KJV).

How can this classic passage, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, enlighten us concerning God’s purpose and plan for the nation Israel?

The man leaving Jerusalem for Jericho represents wayward Israel, forsaking the center of God’s presence and words (cf. 1 Kings 11:36; Isaiah 2:3) and preferring a cursed, idolatrous city as its destination (cf. Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:29-32). As the thieves robbed the traveler, so Satan’s evil world system spoiled and fatally wounded Israel. Distracted, unrighteous (lacking spiritual clothes), and now dying, she can do nothing to save herself. Her sin has found her out!

Along walks a Levitical priest, but this Jew cannot help the man, for the man is mortally wounded and unable to offer a sacrifice. Here comes a Levite, a teacher of the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 31:9-13,24-26; Deuteronomy 17:18; 2 Chronicles 15:3; Ezra 7:6,10,11). However, while this Jew can teach the man what he needs to do according to Moses’ instructions, the dying man cannot perform according to the LORD’S strict rules and regulations. The priest and the Levite, both having looked at the unfortunate soul and gone on their way, can do nothing for him. All hope is lost!

Suddenly, there appears a Samaritan—a societal outcast in Israel. He notices the dying man and pities him, applying antiseptic wine and soothing olive oil to treat his wounds. Whereas the Jews (priest and Levite) did none of this, the Samaritan takes it a step further. He pays to lodge the man in a hotel, that he recover from his injuries. The next day, the Samaritan entrusts the man to the innkeeper, and finally leaves after promising his return. Here, Christ turns Israel over to the 12 Apostles (cf. John 19:25-27; Luke 19:12-27), dies, resurrects, and ultimately ascends to His Father’s right hand wholly rejected. He is coming again to repay them for their service (Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12)! Indeed, the Samaritan of that noteworthy parable symbolizes Jesus Christ Himself and His work on Israel’s behalf….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Whose are the ‘words’ of 1 Samuel 3:19?”

Disciples Three #5

Monday, August 16, 2021

“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest” (Luke 9:57 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture and its context have any modern counterparts? (Indeed, they do!)

Recall the first disciple: “[57] And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. [58] And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Today, many people are eager to become “Christians,” but have they really thought about the result? “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). “[W]e must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). If the lost world hates Jesus Christ, will they love us His Body? Our problems compound—not disappear—when we trust Him as our personal Saviour!

Now, the second disciple: “[59] And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [60] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” How often do souls today—even so-called “believers”—claim they will follow Christ after they have had a “good time” in the world. Greediness and materialism are not victorious Christian living! “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

The final disciple declared: “[61] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. [62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” If we truly want to follow Christ Jesus, we must remember to not let this world’s affairs sidetrack us: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection [focus] on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1,2).

Disciples Three #4

Sunday, August 15, 2021

“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest” (Luke 9:57 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture and its context have any modern counterparts? (Indeed, they do!)

We now consider the last disciple: “[61] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. [62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (There is no parallel in Matthew.) This man is pretty bold with his initial comment, promising to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, he has second thoughts, having not quite made the break from his family. Before he follows Jesus, he voices a desire to return home and say goodbye to his loved ones. On the surface, this behavior seems most thoughtful and rather harmless. Yet, as the Lord Jesus warns, he is on the verge of falling into a spiritual trap!

Doubtless, had this third disciple gone back home to bid his relatives and friends farewell, they would have pressured him immensely to remain with them and not return to “crazy” “Messiah!” Considering those many spiritual distractions, the likelihood of him heeding their “advice” was great too. They are unbelievers, for they are not followers of Christ. Employing agrarian language that is most familiar to the Jews, Jesus reminds him the farmer plowing the field must be looking forward or he will ruin his furrows by digging them circuitous. Similarly, if a Messianic Jew is to be useful in God’s kingdom, he must be willing to severe ties with anything that could hinder him. There can be no doubts or hesitations. Instead of visiting home one final time, and prone to winding up in unbelief himself, the disciple should continue on his spiritual path with Christ Jesus—looking ahead instead of behind!

Although not the Dispensation of the Grace of God in which we find our doctrine, duty, walk, destiny, and hope; we can draw some excellent counsel from today’s Scripture and its context. Let us proceed to see some current parallels….

Disciples Three #3

Saturday, August 14, 2021

“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest” (Luke 9:57 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture and its context have any modern counterparts? (Indeed, they do!)

The exchange with the second disciple is as follows: “[59] And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [60] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” A similar conversation is recorded in Matthew chapter 8, though the context is different: “[21] And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [22] But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”

Upon first glance, Jesus appears to be unpleasant and merciless here. This man promises to follow Jesus—but after he buries his father. Christ, however, tells him there is something more important than attending his father’s funeral. It is not to say his father is now dead and funeral arrangements are underway. Even if there is a death, Jesus was never asked to bring him back to life. Whatever the case, the disciple is not thinking Divine thoughts. He wants to return home to take care of his father until death, collect his inheritance, and then come back to follow Jesus. Materialism is distracting him—and the Lord advises him to get his priorities in their correct order.

“Let the dead bury their dead” is actually a play on words. Apparently, the man’s father is an unbeliever, a lost man, for he himself is not a follower of Christ. Therefore, the man should allow the spiritually dead—namely, other lost family members—to bury the physically dead (his father, also unsaved). Furthermore, it does not make sense for this disciple to leave the Lord (spiritual wealth) simply to gain physical wealth (inheritance in his father’s estate). Christ orders him, “Go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” This is more valuable than anything this temporary world has to offer!

Now, we get to the third and final disciple….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What does ‘skin for skin’ mean in Job 2:4?”

Disciples Three #2

Friday, August 13, 2021

“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest” (Luke 9:57 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture and its context have any modern counterparts? (Indeed, they do!)

We carefully re-read the verses pertaining to the first disciple: “[57] And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. [58] And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Matthew chapter 8, while a different context (and likely another man), is nevertheless quite similar: “[19] And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. [20] And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

Unfortunately, Jesus’ words have often been misunderstood here. In what sense does “the Son of Man have not a place to lay His head?” Although commonly assumed to be stressing His poverty, a more excellent way to look at this is to see it as underscoring His rejection. The foxes have their dens, places in which to relax. Also, the birds have their nests, homes in which to settle down. However, can the Lord Jesus Christ be comfortable in Israel? No, He cannot, for they do not want Him! “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11).

In addition to what has already been stated, we can also discern some symbolism here. King Herod Antipas is called a “fox” because of his cunning craftiness and deception (Luke 13:32). Likewise, Ezekiel 13:4 associates ancient Israel’s false prophets to “foxes.” Birds symbolize Satan (Mark 4:4,15; Luke 8:5,12). In other words, Israel enjoys a pagan king over herself, a false teacher with herself, and an evil spirit in herself—but she will not have the Saviour, Jesus Christ! Therefore, when the man boasts, “Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest,” Christ asks him if he is ready to bear His rejection as his own. Let us hear the second disciple….