(Matthew 4:5-7)
Then the Devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple
Sometimes he takes me places, too. Sometimes, I allow myself to be taken. He knows my fears as well as I do, so he knows just where to take me to put me at my most vulnerable.
and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
The devil learns. He adapts. He saw that Jesus was knowledgeable of the scriptures, so he thought to turn the scriptures to help his own evil cause. Does he ever do that with you?
In fact, the enemy used not one, but two bible passages for this trick!
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
The Bible never contradicts itself. Period.
Today, I'm writing in my journal about the so-called "promises of God" that some in the religious culture want us to "claim". These passages were almost always used for a specific person or group of people, and have nothing whatsoever do do with us. Another twist on some of these that people use is that people take them as a physical meaning, when in fact they refer to a spiritual thing.
These "promises" can give us false hope. They can also cause us to lose our faith and turn from God, when the thing we're praying for and "claiming" doesn't come to be. In this way, the devil uses his knowledge of the scriptures to discourage us.
These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Here's one example I'm putting in my journal today:
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. - 1 Peter 2:24
This passage is so often quoted by those who believe we can claim a physical healing and bingo-bango, we're healthy and whole. They only use the end of the verse, though, and leave out the first, which explains it. Peter is referring to our souls, not our bodies, in this passage.
Gracious God, please help us to use discernment and study when we hear and see scriptures quoted as fact. We know that all must be taken in context, and that the devil is clever in his tactics. Give us wisdom to fight the discouragement he wants to cause. In Jesus' Name, Amen...
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
The post Seek First Project: The Tempter Continued (Day 81) appeared first on Renewed Daily.written by Shelly Hendricks
This post first appeared on Renewed Daily - Christian Devotionals Through The, please read the originial post: here
