DRAWING NEAR
September 8
Attacks on God's Character
"Stand firm against the schemes of the devil" (Eph. 6:11).
One of Satan's most effective tactics is to challenge God's
credibility.
Paul's exhortation to "stand firm against the schemes of the devil"
(Eph. 6:11) refers to the various tactics Satan employs in spiritual
warfare. One of his tactics is to call God's character and motives
into question by raising doubts about His Word.
He used that approach in the Garden of Eden, when he said to Eve,
"Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the
garden'?" (Gen. 3:1). In one brief statement Satan disputed and
distorted God's Word. God didn't forbid them to eat from any tree.
They could eat freely from every tree except one: the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil (2:16-17).
Satan followed his distortion with an outright denial of God's Word:
"You surely shall not die!" (3:4). He implied that God lied when He
said that sin will result in death. Satan then went on to tell Eve
that if she ate the fruit, she would in fact become like God Himself
(v. 5). The implication is that God was withholding something good
from Eve, and to keep her from seeking it, He intimidated her with
empty threats of death and judgment.
Do you see the insidious nature of Satan's approach? Tragically, Eve
didn't. Rather than trusting and obeying God, she believed Satan's
lies and concluded that the tree was good for food, a delight to the
eyes, and desirable to make one wise. Then "she took from its fruit
and ate" (v. 6).
Satan deceives and spreads his lies from generation to generation (2
Cor. 11:14). Although he is subtle, his attempts to discredit God by
disputing, distorting, and denying His Word should be obvious to
discerning Christians.
Don't be victimized by Satan's attacks. Become strong in the Word
through systematic Bible study. Yield to the Spirit's control through
prayer and obedience to biblical principles.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask God for the discernment to recognize Satanic deceptions, and
the wisdom to pursue truth. Pray for God's enabling as you
discipline yourself for diligent Bible study.
For Further Study:
Read 1 John 2:12-14. How did John describe those who are strong in
the Word?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Genesis 2:16-17
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the
garden you may freely eat;
17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not
eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
2 Corinthians 11:14
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel
of light.
1 John 2:12-14
12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven
you for His name's sake.
13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from
the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome
the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have
known the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is
from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are
strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the
wicked one.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
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and
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You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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