My Thoughts. . .

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Gus Nichols told about a game he and other preachers of his generation engaged in.  He would begin quoting a passage, from either the Old or New Testament, and the other preacher would finish it.  Then the other preacher would do the same and Gus would finish it.  This continued until one of them made a mistake in his quote.  That’s very impressive.  However, even more impressive is that I know of a preacher who can quote from any version you can name and never miss!

That preacher?  If you are a student of the Bible, you will know him immediately when I tell you that he even quoted scripture to Jesus (Matthew 4:6).  It is easy for him.  However, context is not his forte.  That doesn’t matter to him.  He has mastered using scripture with deception to trouble the hearts of Bible students!

Several years ago a godly man had cancer.  He did not have long to live.  He told me that his imperfections troubled him and he would soon stand before Jesus in all his failures.  Satan had been quoting scripture out of context, causing him to look at his faults rather than to Jesus who had already paid for every one of them (1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 1:4; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Revelation 1:5)!

Some folks have been mesmerized by Satan’s quoting than influenced by Jesus’ gift.  Who are these people?

  • They are the saints who have been convinced that their sins are bigger than Jesus’ blood is capable of cleansing.
  • They are the saints who believe God left them the second covenant and it is their responsibility to keep it without violation.  One slip and Satan will own them again!
  • They are the saints who believe they must live perfect lives so when they stand before Jesus with one more good work than the bad ones, their accomplishments are responsible for their salvation.
  • They are the saints who are depending upon their righteousness to save them rather than trusting in the righteousness of God.
  • They are the saints who are void of assurance and their hope is in their efforts being good enough that God will feel obligated to reward them for their efforts.
  • They are the saints who have more assurance in their efforts than they do in the blood of Jesus to keep them right in God’s sight.
  • They are the saints who read Romans 8:1 or 2 Corinthians 5:21 and ignore what God has done through Jesus but interpret those passages to mean everything depends upon their efforts and their righteousness.
  • They are the saints who hope they are going to heaven but are not sure.
  • They are the saints who can quote fifty passage to prove their lack of assurance is gospel and your assurance in Christ isn’t.
  • They are the saints who believe they are saved, more by their perfection rather than the blood of Jesus.

Yes, Satan can quote every passage in any version you have and deceive you with it!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV).

Put your trust in Jesus, not yourself.  “Because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”  (1 John 4:4 NKJV).