Category: Satan and Policy of Evil

Known of God #1

Sunday, May 22, 2016

“Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” (Galatians 4:8,9 KJV).

Not only do we in Christ know God. More importantly, God knows us!

Today’s Scripture carries the thought mentioned throughout the previous chapter. While the one true God was dealing with the nation of Israel, preparing them to function as His earthly people, the nations—including the Gentiles in Galatia—“knew not God” and “did service unto them which by nature are no gods.” That is, in their heathen religious services, they worshipped various dead idols.

The Gentiles were doubly-severed from the one true God. They were not only dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). They were also on the wrong side of the middle wall of partition that God had erected (Ephesians 2:11,12). The Israelites, not the Gentiles, were God’s chosen people. Having let the nations (Gentiles) go their way in spiritual ignorance at the Tower of Babel in Genesis chapter 11, God took Abraham and began to form His special nation in chapter 12. Romans chapter 1 shows us the nations’ blatant rejection of God’s clearly revealed will, and their subsequent spiritual ignorance. This was the former state of the Galatians in today’s Scripture. It was also the lot of our Gentile ancestors in the centuries before Christ!

Did God not care about the Gentiles? Why, of course He did! God’s will was to take the nation Israel, convert them, fill them with His Word, so they, as His kingdom of priests, could then take that divine revelation to the nations (Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 2:1-3; Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 61:6; Zechariah 8:20-23). Israel, as we all know, failed in that regard. But, God, in eternity past, devised another way to reach Gentiles until Israel’s national conversion. Today’s Scripture provides a clue as to how He did it. We Gentile believers in Jesus Christ “have known God” and “are known of God.” Just what exactly does this mean? Let us search the Scriptures to find out!

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #5

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

Sadly, so many Christians are miserable, defeated, and confused today. What happened to them? Despite having a Bible for so long, they still have not realized the truth in today’s Scripture. Christianity is NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT us striving to keep commandments and church ordinances so God can be happy with us. Jesus Christ has been pushed aside. Religious tradition has done an unparalleled job in making pure Christianity into a worthless system of dry theological verbiage and worthless dead works!

When we study how Jesus Christ lived His life on planet Earth, we can see exactly what God’s life looks like in human flesh. True Christian living is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER us serving, pleasing, or exalting self. What did Jesus say? “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him [the Father] that sent me” (John 6:38). Sinful living is just the opposite—me, me, me, me! Remember, sin is defined in Scripture as: “We have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Doing whatever you want and gratifying yourself, focusing on yourself and your works (whether in religion or “in the world”). This “self-focus” caused Satan’s downfall. It caused man’s downfall in Genesis chapter 3.

Once, sin reigned as a king in our lives. Friends, that time is no more. Now that we have come to Jesus Christ—having trusted solely in His death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins—sin has no more dominion over us. Our striving and struggling must end, that grace may reign, and Father God is glorified. Jesus Christ’s work is enough! “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21). Do we really believe that?

Dear friends, if we are led by God’s Holy Spirit, we will not be self-willed, adamant that our desires be fulfilled so we can praise ourselves. Rather, we will join John the Baptist and shout from our hearts: “He must increase, but I must decrease!” 🙂

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #4

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

Recall John 3:22,23: “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.”

Israel’s religious leaders were trying to make John the Baptist envious of Jesus and His disciples: “And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him” (John 3:26). When John could have defended himself and said just how worthy he was of attention, he refused. He transferred praise to Jesus Christ (today’s Scripture).

Now, skip over to the opening verses of chapter 4: “[1] When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, [2] (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) [3] He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.” When Jesus learned that the Pharisees were starting to praise Him for attracting more followers than John, Jesus left Judaea (southern Israel) and went far away north (Galilee). He knew that He had come to glorify His Heavenly Father rather than Himself!

Friends, as you can see, both Jesus and John the Baptist were filled with, or controlled by, the Holy Ghost. They were not seeking their own praise and worship. John wanted Jesus to be glorified while Jesus wanted His Heavenly Father to be glorified. Satan is always looking to disrupt God’s work, even in the slightest way possible. In fact, what seemed to be minor in this scenario was actually a threat to Jesus’ earthly ministry before it had really begun. John, led by the Holy Spirit, and Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, both saw how Satan was operating and they reacted wisely to prevent his will from being accomplished.

Let us conclude this devotionals arc by seeing how we can use today’s Scripture in our Christian lives.

Bible Q&As #264 & #265: “Could you explain Peter’s first miracle?” and “Could you explain Paul’s first miracle?”

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #3

Monday, May 16, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

In verses 22-24, Jesus and His disciples water baptized more people than John the Baptist. Verse 25 says Jewish religionists, operating under Satan’s influence, attempted to enrage John and make him envious by informing him: “Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him” (verse 26). Had John reacted in the flesh, he would have condemned Jesus by blurting out, “Jesus and His disciples have no right to distract people away from me! I should be having all the attention because I started my ministry first!” But—and here is a major “but!”—this is not how John responded. The Holy Spirit moved him to reply most fittingly.

Note the succeeding verses: “[27] John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. [28] Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. [29] He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.” John joyfully told them that he did not matter because he was not Christ/Messiah. Jesus mattered because HE was Christ! John knew he was not the issue. It did not matter that few were now coming to him to be baptized. His ministry was not to last indefinitely anyway.

Mark 1:2-4 says: “As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness….” John’s purpose was to simply identify Jesus as Messiah so Israel could see and trust Him (see John chapter 1); John was to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord,” not for himself (Luke 1:17). John had done what Father God had sent him to do (John 1:6-8,29-34). Now, he admitted he could fade away.

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #2

Sunday, May 15, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

We begin reading in context in verse 22: “[22] After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. [23] And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. [24] For John was not yet cast into prison.”

Some weeks into Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, He and His disciples went to the land of Judaea and there they baptized believers. John the Baptist is baptizing believers as well, in Aenon near Salim (exact location unknown, but presumably near the Jordan River Valley). During this time, “[25] Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. [26] And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.”

To Satan’s utmost delight, some of these Jewish religionists are beginning to harass John the Baptist. In effect, they are saying in verse 26, “John, that ‘Jesus’ you preached about and praised earlier, He and His disciples are now baptizing more people than you! Your ministry is losing popularity and followers!”

Beloved, as you can see most clearly, Satan is a very shrewd creature. Having sharp powers of judgment, he knows that he must “divide and conquer” if he is to prevent Jesus’ earthly ministry from gaining momentum. If he can get John the Baptist to grow so upset (envious) that he begins to recant his message that Jesus is Christ, John’s ministry is discredited… and so is Jesus Christ’s! Do you see how the whole purpose and plan of God for Israel hangs in the balance here? It is ever so critical that John the Baptist respond most wisely to these troublemakers.

Thankfully, John the Baptist is “filled with the Holy Ghost” (Luke 1:15). He will answer most appropriately!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What made the crucified thief repent?”

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #1

Saturday, May 14, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

The triune Godhead’s original intention in creation was to glorify the Son, whom we understand as Jesus Christ. We read in the Scriptures: “For by him [God’s dear Son of verse 13] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16).

Of course, as the prophets tell us, Lucifer, God’s chief angelic-like creature, wanted the preeminence in heaven and earth. Lucifer, “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty… was lifted up because of [his] beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12,17). That is, Lucifer became prideful. Isaiah says that he had a five-fold plan to rob Jesus Christ of the praise that He alone deserved: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (14:13,14). In short, Lucifer became Satan, starting his lie program (sin) with the following words: “He must decrease, but I must increase!”

Sin, at its heart, is the decrease of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sin is disregarding the Creator’s will for our lives. It is we putting ourselves on His throne, us wanting to be our own authority and doing whatever we want. “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25). Whether in Satan’s life, the lives of other spirit creatures like him, or the lives of us humans, sin is the deification of the creature and the lessening of the Creator.

Today’s Scripture contains invaluable insight to avoiding the error of Romans 1:25. Dear friends, in our several upcoming devotionals, we will look at John 3:30 in context, lest we be ignorant of Satan’s devices.

Pray While It is Still Legal?

Friday, May 13, 2016

“Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king…” (Nehemiah 2:4,5 KJV).

What can Nehemiah teach us in today’s Scripture?

Recently, I noticed a parked vehicle with the bumper sticker, “Pray while it’s still legal.” Even if prayer were completely outlawed in the United States, or anywhere else in the world, that would not at all intimidate the Bible believer. Outlawed prayer would most certainly be a problem for “traditional Christians,” however.

See, dearly beloved, religion has dumbed-down prayer to the point where it is rarely pleasing to Father God. Since denominational teaching has watered down prayer, most can think of nothing more than kneeling, bowed heads, closed eyes, folded hands, raised arms, prayer beads, prayer books, et cetera. They have missed the issue of prayer entirely. Prayer is repeating to God what His Word tells you; prayer is not repeating what others wrote about the Bible. Remember, they may have incorrectly interpreted Scripture to write that prayer you want to recite! Furthermore, prayer is not about the posture of the physical body; it is all about the attitude of the spiritual heart.

In today’s Scripture, Nehemiah was unhappily serving before Persian King Artaxerxes (verses 1-3). Far away was un-walled and ruined Jerusalem—Babylon had destroyed it 150 years earlier. Attempting to cheer him up, Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah what he desired. Certainly, Nehemiah, standing before the king, had no time to kneel, raise his hands, whip out a prayer card, or be excused to enter some “prayer closet.” So, Nehemiah prayed right there on the spot, silently. In that time of limited divine revelation, he sought God’s wisdom as to how to respond. The king never noticed Nehemiah praying!

So, friends, if prayer is ever outlawed here or elsewhere, that really will not hinder us Bible believers. Silent prayer in all circumstances is fine. Father God will certainly hear us, and that is all that matters. Just look at today’s Scripture. By the way, if you want to find out what happens with Nehemiah, read the rest of the chapter… or perhaps his whole book!

The Key of Knowledge

Thursday, May 12, 2016

“Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered” (Luke 11:52 KJV).

What is this, “the key of knowledge?”

The best way to handle enigmatic verses in the Four Gospels is to find parallel passages. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John supplement each other. For example, consider today’s Scripture. Matthew recorded a similar statement in his Gospel record: “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in” (23:13).

Although today’s Scripture uses “lawyers” (Mosaic-Law scholars), the “scribes and Pharisees” of Matthew are synonymous. All are religious leaders to some degree. Our Lord Jesus had very harsh words for them—not that He was unkind or malicious. Rather, He publicly rebuked them for their many decades—yea, centuries—of misguiding Israel. They were leading Israel to worship the Law of Moses instead of the God of Moses. But, they behaved as to appear honest, faithful, and good. Jesus unapologetically exposed their hypocrisy.

Comparing Matthew 23:13 and Luke 11:52, we understand these religious leaders were hindering, discouraging, Jews from embracing “the kingdom of heaven” (God’s kingdom on the Earth). They had taken away “the key of knowledge” (today’s Scripture). How? If we keep comparing verses, we see they were suppressing, intimidating, others from believing and sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom—that Jesus was Israel’s King, Messiah/Christ, Saviour.

John 9:22: “These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.” And, John 12:42-43: “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

Her religious leaders hiding the knowledge that Jesus was God’s King for Israel, robbed Jews of everything God had for them in their earthly kingdom. Without coming to Him as Messiah/Christ, they could never enter that kingdom!

Estate Sales and the Eternal State

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17 KJV).

Friend, have you ever been to an “estate sale?” It is a sale of many items in the home of a recently deceased individual. Whether treasures or trash, the individual could not and did not take these items with him or her.

The deceased left possessions that others can now browse through, purchase, use, and appreciate. For those who think that this life is all there is to our existence, they do everything in their power to hang on to as much material goods as possible. Today’s Scripture calls material goods “uncertain riches”—you will certainly lose them, but when is the uncertainty!

Please understand. There is nothing wrong with saving your money and spending it wisely. Remember, “our” money is actually God’s money. We need to be good managers of that with which God has entrusted us. But, the Bible believer should not be a miser, someone who saves and saves and then, despite the acquired fortune, begs others for freebies. This is silly, but even Christian people do it.

When you pass through the home of someone who has departed this life, you can see his or her life on display—pictures, clothes, books, furniture, kitchen appliances, and so on. Whether his or her soul is enjoying the glories of heaven, or being tormented in the flames of hell, he or she has no need for such items. Those possessions are of no use in eternity. Dear friend, you will take two things with you when you die physically. Firstly, you will take your soul. Secondly, you will take God’s Word. Those things will last forever. The eternal Word of God stored into your eternal soul should be (is?) the primary goal in your life.

Surely, you will leave this world one day. People will go through your possessions and use them. However, they will never be able to take your soul, and they will never be able to take away the Word of God you built into your soul. Of that, we can be certain! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you explain, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner?’”

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 8, 2016

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 28 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.