John 8:44 KJV
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
One of the greatest obstacles to discovering the Truth, is found in the god of this world - Satan. He has blinded the minds of them which believe not in Jesus Christ. God's only begotten Son that came to earth to seek and save that which was lost when sin entered the world and heart's of men. The same was crucified on a tree, buried, and rose again the third day. His message, The Good News, is one of hope, joy, and eternal life to those who believe on the Son of God. It's the light of the glorious gospel message of Christ who is in the image of God, so that the light might shine throughout the world. Those who believe are a reflection of Jesus Christ's light, the Gospel, and Good News.
Unfortunately, the devil (Satan) wishes to keep men everywhere from hearing this glorious gospel message. The devil has hid God's Word, using a threefold strategy that includes Doubt, Deception, and Distraction. The devil has been using these three effective techniques throughout the ages, beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 3:1 KJV says, "Now the serpent (the devil or Satan) was more subtil than any beast of the field... And he (the great deceiver) said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"
Did you notice the subtlety of the serpent's question in order to distract the woman, and get her to focus on the totality of the garden as opposed to God's commandment as it is related to The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which God told them not to eat. The devil's question wasn't asked because he cared about Adam or Eve. No, he wanted nothing more than to distract her to set a trap, containing several baited statements. Notice Eve's response to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it" Eve responded well, but then added something God did not say to the couple. Saying, "Neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." The devil is now preparing to devour the man and woman, figuratively speaking, having a misunderstanding of the Truth. "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Two things the world and mankind has been desiring ever since then.
With this in mind, the final two strategies are deployed; that of Doubt and Deception. Notice, the first baited statement, "Surely, ye shall not die!" (doubt) and second, "for God doth know your eyes shall be opened and the third, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil (Deception)." The devil has taken the Truth of Scripture and twisted it to deceive mankind into believing something that's both dangerous and destructive. Both of which will have a negative effect on mankinds' relationship with God. It is therefore important for men to know the Truth as found in Scripture, so as to deflect the devil's schemes and lies, and stand upon the rock of salvation - Jesus Christ, so as to steer clear of those things which will sever and harm our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ as it did with Adam and Eve when they ate of the forbidden fruit. It doesn't take away our salvation rather it harms the relationship, but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - I John 1:9 KJV.
If we shall also submit ourselves unto God and resist the devil, the devil will flee from us. Do not give the devil a foothold from which to strike a plan, and deceive God's elect. We must standfast and reflect God's goodness, grace, and mercy. Hold fast to the Truth! and let your light so shine for all the world to see. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God has commanded the light to shine out of darkness, whereby that light does now shine in a believer's heart and gives light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, the Truth of Scripture. Amen?
May the peace of Jesus Christ be upon you as you search the Scriptures and deflect the devil's schemes. I would encourage you to put on the whole Armour of God to help protect us from the devil as spoken of in Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV. God Bless You.
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