The Devil's Weapon of Choice

S - 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-15 (NIV): "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  … For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness."

O - Jesus and the Scriptures give us clear warning about the Devil and his malevolent existence.  These verses connected to and compared with the life of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13), the dynamics of the religious leaders of his day (John 7:52) and the history of the religious world also confirm his weapon of choice. It's a shocking recognition the first time it's clearly perceived. Satan's weapon of choice is always the Scriptures … the Scriptures with just a little change in wording or shift in emphasis (cf. Genesis 3:1-6).

A - Jesus gives us/me insight regarding this strange and commonly experienced phenomenon. Rightly handling the Scriptures does not happen by a vigilant desire to be right but by avidly staying near him who is the Gospel.  He (Jesus) cautions me to never forget their purpose or the power of God's person.

John 5:39-40: "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."

Matthew 22:29: "Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God."

P - God who speaks,

Thank you for your written voice and for your speaking voice.  Thank you for giving us your Living Word, Jesus. He is life, light, truth, hope and he calls me/us to come near and stay.  I choose to, because of grace, to come near and stay near unto the unveiling of the masquerade, the dispersal of shadow and the beauty of love's pure light.  Today, you are vigilant as my shepherd and I get to be avidly near you as your dearly loved sheep. Once again I rejoice that the battle, the warfare, belongs to you. 

Staying near & listening,

Steve