Monday, June 20, 2011

The Lies of Satan

By Ron Thomas

In this world of ours, it is most disappointing to have to address some of the popular topics of the days as Satan’s lies. But, to not address Satan’s lies is to, in time, participate in them. Paul said he was not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11) and neither should we be ignorant. Satan is active and “he” finds willing participants in every field before “him.”

Let us be clear. Satan is a liar and the father of lies. Jesus said to those of His day, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). By any standard of measurement, Jesus words were hard and pointed! He did not want anyone to misunderstand His point. Misunderstanding can be eliminated when the speaker gets straight to the point.

Note some of Satan’s lies that many have adopted as part of their way of thinking:

That marriage is for all people including those of the same sex. The Madison City Council ( Wisconsin ) is allowing its members to take the oath of office and express an opinion that says the state’s constitutional amendment on marriage being between a man and a woman is something that “besmirches our constitution.”

The Bible is not the word of God, but that it only contains God’s word. There is a difference. If Satan can get people to back away from the authority of Scripture, he will have been successful. He seeks to do this, among many ways, by dismissing the Scriptural record with remarks from university professors (and others) that the Bible is mistaken in some of its parts. When this is accepted, then the Bible is not something God put together, it is something man put together and it contains God’s word.

Abortion is merely a political issue. Satan would most certainly hope you buy into this. If you can’t distinguish between a moral issue and a political issue, you will vote Satan’s candidate (or party) into power. Sensible, God-fearing Christians vote issues, not parties.

Getting rich is important. The primary focus in life for young people is to go to college, get a good education, and make a lot of money for themselves in order to provide for their families (this includes their wants). In a recent report, young people ages 18—25 see getting rich to be the top goal in life ( Pew Research Center poll).

That one church is as good as another. In the religious world this is a fantastic lie. It is a lie that people of Scripture should recognize easily. They don’t because they bought into the lie. They look at people instead of God. The psalmist said that he hates every false way (Psalm 119:104). To identify a false way in to know the true way. ONLY those who are in the church that belongs to Christ will be saved (Ephesians 5:23-26).

Salvation can be attain at the point of belief without obedience. Salvation is by grace through faith. A person’s faith is a response to God’s loving Savior. Jesus said, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; he that does not believe is condemned (Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38).

“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God" (John 8:47).

- Ron Thomas serves as preacher and an elder for the Highway church of Christ, Sullivan, IL He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.highwaycofc.com



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