Question Everything

I was at a Bible study before sitting down to write this blog tonight.  One of the things we discussed is ways that Satan wreaks havoc in this world.  Some of the topics discussed were abortion, homosexuality, and thinking we can do things on our own without God’s help.  I couldn’t help but think how Satan is simply living up to his name as the deceiver of the world. 

We read about it in Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”  We have abortion because Satan has deceived us that we are in charge of our own bodies and choice should be valued above life.  Tolerance of any type of union is pushed because we have been blinded to the truth of God’s Word that marriage is between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24).  We are deceived everyday thinking that we can even breathe apart from God’s authority to allow it to happen.

The name Satan literally means “adversary” which also tells us what he does.  He is an antagonist, he is against us always, he is for no one.  He hates all people, believers and non-believers alike (that is his nature), but he often targets Christians.  This is pointed out in scripture in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  To keep this simple, ladies - Satan is real and he is hunting you down. 

I want you to pay attention to this today because you need to know that you have an enemy intending to do you harm every single day of your life.  What are you doing to prevent his deception in your life?  We take self-defense courses to learn how to defend ourselves from physical attack, do we take spiritual attack as seriously?  I don’t think we do. 

What lies are you listening to?  Are there common ones in your life that keep popping up?  (You’re a bad mother, you’re a failure, church doesn’t matter, the Bible is subjective …)  Realize who is talking to you - it is your Adversary.  John describes him this way, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in 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.” (8:44). He is full of lies and constantly spewing them at you.   Do you realize this?

This is why I encourage you to question everything!  Question your beliefs, question what others tell you, even the thoughts that cross your mind each day (where are they coming from?).  There is only one standard of truth and that is God’s infallible Word.   Should we question God’s word?  Yes!  In a right way, look there for truth and answers!  Don’t simply doubt and walk away.  Being an inquisitive reader, always asking “why?” It is a great way to search the Bible for understanding.  I have such confidence in God’s Word because I have been examining the Bible for years myself.  The more I read it, the more proof I find of its truth.  I dare you to try it yourself.

It is there that we find the only true defense system that protects us from our Antagonist.  We are told in Ephesians 6:11 to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”  And, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;” (v. 16).  Our enemy is scheming against us, but we have a shield of faith to protect us.  Faith in what?  Faith in a God who has overcome the world (Jn. 16:3) and who has authority over the Enemy (Mt. 28:18) and who has promised to defeat our Enemy for good.  Revelation 20:10, “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where…they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” 

We fight lies with truth, truth is found in the Word of God which is called the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17).  Arm yourself well and defend yourself daily.  As 1 Peter 5:8 says “be watchful” for that prowling lion.

I want to make clear, we cannot simply blame Satan for our wrong doing.  He may point us in the right (wrong) direction, but we are the ones taking willing steps into darkness.  We are held accountable for our actions before God.  God is the one who will hold up our “beliefs” to the measuring rod of his perfect Word.  Your decisions, beliefs and actions are on your shoulders.  That is why you need to seriously question everything. 

Don’t take the word of your priest, pastor, spouse, friend, counselor, teacher or parent as truth before weighing it against Scripture.  Same goes for your personal feelings of right and wrong (“The heart is deceitful above all things” Jer. 17:9) and mainstream beliefs accepted by the misguided majority. 
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Question everything until you find solid truth to build your life on.  That will be the solid bedrock of Jesus Christ.