All The Counsel of God

In 1 Chronicles 12:32, we read of ” … men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do … “ In Hebrews 5:14, we read of ” … them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

It seems that the church could use a goodly number of just such folks today. Compromise has dulled the senses of pastors and people alike to the extent that “fundamentalists” see no harm in working with “modernists” -just as long as it is for the purpose of “winning souls to Christ.” We see the sad spectacle of those who once held and taught sound doctrine now working and fellowshipping with cults, and urging that they be given a “standing” in the fellowship of believers. We see churches where once the Word of God was taught now given over mainly to social activities and religious projects. We see the church, once separated from the world, now engrossed in it.

But most tragic of all perhaps is the loss of spiritual discernment which makes folks content to disobey God’s Word- and then try to “twist the Scriptures” to justify their ungodly conduct. It is indeed heartbreaking to see pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and church members in the midst of such compromise that apparently can no longer “tell the difference between truth and error.”

May God deliver us from such a position and give us so much love for His Word that we will “… meditate therein day and night… ” (Joshua 1:8) and willingly obey it, exercising discernment and warning others of the dangers of compromise.

An outstanding example of the proverb that “prayer is work, but prayer works” is found in the life of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. It is interesting to note that the record of Hannah’s prayer of intercession begins with the utterance that an adversary had provoked her. Why is it that many of us have to face some great test or crisis in life before we really pray? Is this the way that the Lord has to bring us to see our inadequacy and insufficiency before we cast ourselves upon Him?

The pressure on Hannah was such that she wept and refused to eat because of the heaviness of her heart. Does God have to permit circumstances like that to come into our lives before He can get us to earnestly intercede? Hannah went to the temple, the place of prayer, and there poured out her soul in agony before the Lord. It was there, in bitterness of soul, that the sacred writer says she wept and prayed and made a vow to God, that if He would grant her petition for a man-child she would give him back to God. This prayer that burst from the inner resources of her being was labor that cannot be defined in words.

Her very persistence in intercession drew the attention of Eli the priest, who, when he saw this woman in agony of spirit with only her lips moving, rebuked her for her drunkenness. Hannah’s condition was not the result of an intoxicant, but of a consuming passion for a son. She desired a son to such a degree that she cared little or nothing about what others thought or said. Have you ever had such a longing for God to give you spiritual sons and daughters that what others said about your dedication in prayer made little impression?

Everything the Lord Jesus did was easy except prayer. In His ministry, He would speak a word and the sick were healed, the hungry were fed, or the dead were raised to life again; but one thing was work, even sweat, tears, and agony, that was His praying.

We might say that Eli, the man of God, should have been able to discern or sense Hannah’s spiritual need. But how alert are we to those in our own homes and among our acquaintances who are in need of a spiritual ministry? We are so taken up with the activities of this life that we are not in a place to discern the hunger of human hearts whom God brings across our paths.

Did Hannah give up in discouragement following the rebuke of the priest? No, of course not. Otherwise she would never have realized that prayer works.

“And he brought him to Jesus … ” (John 1 :42).

By personal work we mean person-to-person work; the individual Christian dealing with the individual needing spiritual help. This personal work of a Christian dealing with one soul may be a great aid to the mass meeting where the preacher preaches to the people as a whole.

Instead of inviting the individual to come to you, in personal work, you go to him. We are commanded to “Go … and teach all nations … ” (Matthew 28:19).

JESUS DID PERSONAL WORK

It was not beneath the dignity of Jesus to deal directly with a single lost soul. In John 1:43, He “ … findeth Philip … ” Jesus Himself won Philip. Philip did not come to Jesus; Jesus went to Philip. Jesus sought for him until He found him. In John 4, His spiritual hunger and thirst were satisfied as He dealt with and won the sinful woman of Sychar! In John 5, He wonderfully healed the impotent man at Bethesda’s pool. In John 8, when Jesus was left alone with a sinful woman after all her accusers had fled, He spoke words that brought salvation to her heart. In John 9, He searched out the blind man whom He had previously healed, and when He had found him, led him into faith in Himself as the Son of God. In the three great parables of Luke 15, uttered by Himself, Jesus reveals His insatiable thirst for individual souls, placing the emphasis on one lost sheep, one lost piece of coin, and the one lost son. He left the many to go after the one, and when He had it, He brought it home rejoicing. Jesus was happy when He won a single soul. He died for the individual sinner. He “…loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). People are saved individually as they believe, not in groups. John 3:16 says, “ … whosoever believeth in him should not perish … ” This literally means, “every one believing in him shall not perish.” Jesus honored personal work.

THE APOSTLE DID PERSONAL WORK

“He first findeth his own brother Simon … And he brought him to Jesus … ” (John 1:41-42). “Philip findeth Nathanael…” (John 1:45). Philip follows his great Master who sought and found him. So he seeks out Nathanael and brings him to Jesus. In Acts 8, we have a Spirit-inspired account of Philip, the evangelist, doing personal work in leading the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ and salvation. What a wonderful example of a Christian, led of the spirit of God, dealing with a lost soul over the open Bible until the soul is gloriously saved for eternity! Though they must part, the new convert goes on his way rejoicing.

WE ARE TO DO PERSONAL WORK

All born again believers are to do personal work! We read of the great persecution against the Jerusalem church in Acts 8, which resulted in a great blessing as “ … they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (verse 4). Notice that they ” … went every where … “! All the church was scattered (verse 1) which certainly means the individual members. With burning hearts and flaming tongues, they did personal work- everywhere! Jesus says, “ … ye shall be witnesses unto me … ” (Acts 1:8). Christ’s witnesses tell lost souls what they know about Christ and His salvation that they may be saved. Surely this is our main business of life!

THE BELIEVER’S SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY

An old man who was dying called me to his home. He had listened to me as I preached over the radio on the believer’s responsibility.

Tears began to roll down his cheeks. He reached under his pillow, pulled out a dollar bill, and handed it to me as he said, “Preacher, I was raised in the country and spent most of my life there. Only recently when I became ill my boy brought me here to his home to take care of me. He bought me a radio. I never had listened to one much and did not care for it, but he urged me to tune in to your broadcast, so I began to listen. You were preaching on the responsibility of Christians to reach others for Jesus. I had never heard this before. I know I was saved when I was a boy in the little old country church. I thought that all I needed to do was to enjoy my salvation all to myself. Nobody ever told me I should try to win others until these last few days, and now it’s too late. Preacher, I’ve wasted my life! I’m saved, but I’ve wasted my life.”

Oh, it was pitiful to see the anguish of this old man on the brink of eternity! I tell you, next to losing your soul, the most horrible thing I know is to lose your life!

STIRRING CHRISTIANS TO PERSONAL WORK

The preacher must constantly remind Christians of their duty and privilege to win souls by personal contact. Certain truths from God’s Word will shock and awaken Christians to this great work that God requires of us, and to the solemn fact that we must one day give an account of our Christian lives. These truths show us the great shame, the reproof, and the sorrow in store for those who disobey the Master’s orders and refuse to do the work He outlines for us to do. Such themes and texts as the following should awaken the most careless: 1) The judgment of Christ; 2) The awful sin of not doing personal work when God had ordained this means to reach lost souls; 3) “Blood required”! or when God requires the sinners’ blood at the hands of a Christian! 4) Disobedience – the Christian’s sin of ignoring and refusing his Master’s plain command!; 5) Multitudes of Christians who will lose the soul winner’s crown!; 6) The awful punishment for unfaithfulness!; 7) ” … that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten … ” (Luke 12:47); 8) Christians who will shine as the stars forever!; 9) The glorious future and rewards for those who win many to Christ!

What! Is the ship which carried Jesus overtaken in the storm? If there is a providence, might we not expect that, when the Son of God was sailing, the sea should be quiet? Shall the rude winds heave the waves on high, or assail the ship which carries the Creator? Would not human wisdom forbid every rude blast, and command gentle breezes to fill the sails? Not so in the wisdom of Divine providence. Jesus goes aboard, and the howling tempest is let loose: the ship reels, and the yawning abyss threatens to overwhelm all in ruin.

“And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew 8:23-27).

And this was a wise providence. It glorified the Son of God, by giving Him an opportunity of manifesting Himself as the Lord of the seas and of the winds. ” … Peace, be still … “ (Mark 4:39), said the Lord, and the sea was as smooth as a pail of milk. This was the same power that spake the world into existence. This providence was also for the good of the disciples. It increased their faith in the Son of God.

When the Lord’s people sail, they should not fanatically suppose that providence will certainly give them fine weather. If the Son of God experienced a storm, His people cannot plead exemption. But they have ground to pray for a prosperous voyage, and reason to expect that providence will give it, if Divine wisdom has not purpose to serve by a tempest.

The Lord does not put his people to trial without necessity: if He presents dangers before their eyes, it is to excite them to call on Him, and trust in His power and love. Jesus rebukes the fears of the disciples. Where was their faith? Was not Jesus at hand? And is not Jesus always at hand with His people? Let them, then, with confidence call on Him, ” … Lord, save us … “ (Matthew 8:25).

“If my people, which arc called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7: 14).

In these words we have what may he called God’s prescription for a blessing. The reference is primarily, of course, to Israel, but the truths are applicable to us as Christians. As Christians, we need the blessing of God. No church can prosper without it. People may come in crowds; they may bring their substance in abundance; we may bear a testimony, and it may he orthodox; but this is not enough. We must have beside all, the blessing of God. And what is the blessing? I answer, the felt presence of God in our midst, moving in our hearts, molding our lives, and operating with a successful influence for good upon others. We need the· supernatural or, rather, the Divine character as the supreme element in our living.

WE ARE TO HUMBLE OURSELVES

Humility was the one great moral quality of the Son of God. He never exalted himself. His way to exaltation was in the dust. If we are called by His is name, we ought to possess His character. Yet there is a great deal or vain boasting among us as Christians; we have much confidence in self and too little in God.

One of the first steps to attain a true humility is to own our failures. This is so hard and few are willing to say they have failed. They are willing to speak of it in private conversation or in testimony, but if some one else should accuse them of the very evil they have confessed, how angry they would be. It is not so much that we are to own failure in outward confession as to recognize it honestly in the soul as a sad fact. If we will only be real in doing this, God will set before us, with no sparing hand, our very sinfulness, until we are prone to cry out in loathing at the revelation of self. But to this point we must come if we would know anything of God. Only when we are thoroughly demoralized does God come to us. Only in our weakness is His strength made perfect.

PRAYER

There is nothing a child of God so needs to be engaged in as praying. Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath. Prayer tells how near we live to God. A man who is living near to God is in a constant attitude of prayer. A man who is not walking in a state of prayerfulness is always blundering and falling by the way. How little real praying there is among Christians. Prayers are made, and prayers are said, and public prayer is observed; but in many cases it is only an oration to God, or a wailing confession before others, of our secret troubles, or a covert complaint against the providence of God, or an “eloquent” appeal to some listening ear in the audience. How rarely there is any praying in the home circle. Many families have no altar at all; others have suffered theirs to fall into actual neglect. There was a time when faith was new and love was fresh, that the members gathered around an open Bible in the name of the Lord and felt the power of such holy meetings all through the battle of the day. But now the husband has to hurry out to business, the wife is not up, or it is late. One thing after another hinders. The truth is, there is no prayer in the heart, and words of prayer on the lips of a prayerless heart is a crime too terrible to talk about. Many never think of returning even silent thanks above their daily food.

In prayer two things are required: 1) A hungering after God Himself. Many pray for temporal blessings; pray when they get into trouble. How few yearn and thirst in prayer for the felt presence of God. There can be no true prayer until we have this desire for only ” … they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness … shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6); 2) There must be an absolute, real dependence upon God, not a mere abstract belief, but the same familiar confidence in Him as in an earthly parent. Only so can answers come- only when we are abiding in Christ, and His Word in us, is the communication complete between us and God.

We ought not to take a step without prayer, and as frequently and freely as we consult our mortal friends, we should consult our heavenly and eternal Friend. Consult Him in the most trivial matters. Oh, if we only took everything to God in prayer before we stepped out into action, what needless pain we should avoid.

WE MUST SEEK HIS FACE

Jesus Christ is the face of God. Seeking to make Christ the aim and object of our daily living, seeking to incorporate His character into ours is seeking the face of God. Too often as Christians, we take the best we have or can get and use it for ourselves, the rest we give to God. This course is evil- can only end in evil. We must make the honor and glory and service of the Lord first. Consider what He has done, is doing now, and will yet do for us. By all these considerations, our hearts ought to be so fully taken up with Him that we should have room for nothing else.

WE ARE TO TURN FROM OUR WICKEDNESS

We may be outwardly very meek and proper; we may assume humility as a garb; we may pray with a loud voice; we may talk of devotion and speak freely of a “precious” Saviour, but how do we act how are we living? That is the vital point. A man may be very orthodox in his tongue and a very devil in his feet. There is such a thing, too, as a Christian walking in wickedness. David did; Peter did – and they paid terribly for it. So will every Christian who does not repent and tum to the Lord. If the judgment does not come now and here, it will then and there, at the Judgment Seat of Christ in the loss of reward, in the loss of a crown -loss, surely of some sort. We are to tum from everything that has in it the appearance of evil.

If we observe these four rules: prayerfulness, humility, consecration, and godliness, the blessing of God will come to us as individuals and as churches. If we so lived as thus to become the dwelling place of God’s blessing, what a healing power we should be in the land.

CONSIDER THE PERSON

Who is this Person whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day? Was He an ordinary baby? No. He was none other than God the Son coming down to earth in a human body.

Was His an ordinary birth? No. He had an earthly mother, but no earthly father. Jesus was not the son of Joseph, but He was the Son of God.

Was His birth the beginning of His life? No. Jesus had always been. From the very beginning He was with God the Father. In John 1:3, we read, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made”.

CONSIDER THE PRICE

A great price was paid for our sins. Jesus died and shed His blood on Calvary’s cross. During the Old Testament days (before the Lord Jesus Christ came to earth), the Jewish people shed the blood of animals to cover over their sins. This blood could not take away sins, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should

take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4), but ” … the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1 :7).

“There is none other good enough to pay the price of sin; He only could unlock the gate of Heaven and let us in.” Only the Lord Jesus Christ was without sin. He alone can save us.

CONSIDER THE PROMISE

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life … “ (John 3:36). The word believe means to put our trust in. It is not enough to believe about the Lord Jesus Christ; you must receive Him as your Saviour. God’s promise to those who receive Him, to those who really believe in Him, is everlasting life. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). Do you want to be sure of going to Heaven when you die? Do you want to become God’s child today? Consider the promise.

CONSIDER THE PENALTY

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). Although God loves each one in the world, He hates sin. God’s wrath, or anger, is upon those who do not believe in Jesus. Sin separates us from God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). The penalty, or punishment, for not believing in Jesus is to be shut out of Heaven and separated from God forever- eternal punishment.

This Christmas many will see beyond the gay wrappings, the colored lights, the lavish entertainment, and the lovely gifts and will find the glory of Christmas in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. How is this possible?

Entering into the glory of Christmas is possible through a simple understanding, acceptance, and a resting by faith on what God has to say about the sending of His Son on that first Christmas.

GOD’S GOOD TIDINGS: “…behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born … a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). This message is personal- to you. It is vital-He came to be our Saviour.

GOD’S GREAT PURPOSE: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Wonder of wonders- God not only loved us, but He sent His Son to put away our sins by His death on the cross.

OUR ETERNAL BLESSING: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Receiving Jesus Christ, by faith, brings one into the sharing of His untold riches both now and forever. How glorious! Just now God is offering to you His gift. Take the Lord Jesus Christ and enter into the glory of Christmas!

My dear friend:

Will you not this day acknowledge before the Lord that you are a sinner? Will you not believe that Christ, Who died for you, is God’s free gift of salvation? Will you not turn from my sin and receive Christ as your own personal Saviour? The decision is yours.

1. Receive the Word of God with meekness.“Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21) receive it as servants, for it is the voice of the Master; receive it as saints, to cleanse from all defilement; receive it as subjects, to equip for the warfare of evil; receive it as sons, for it is the Father’s will; receive it as saved ones, as the direction of grace; and receive it as surrendered ones, as the rule for life.

2.  Let the Word of God Dwell Richly. “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:16). Let it dwell in the heart, as preservative from evil; let it dwell in the soul, as the propeller in service; let in dwell in the mind, as the plan for direction; and let it dwell in the affection, as the power for conflict.

3. Keep the Word of God Tenaciously. “They have kept Thy Word” (John 17:6). Christ could say of His disciples, We should keep it as a treasure-securely; as our teacher for instruction, as a tower for protection, and as our trust, we should keep it faithfully and well.

4. Continue in the Word of God Untiringly. “If you continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed”  (John 8:31). Continuance in the Word is the mark of true discipleship, the manifest evidence that we are true followers of Christ.

5. Live Out the Word of God Faithfully. “Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ” ( 2 Corinthians 3:3). The Christian is the world’s Bible, a living object-lesson. If we are not walking Bibles, then we are walking libels.

6. Hold Forth the Word of God Boldly. “Holding forth the Word of Life” (Philippians 2:16). As the man holds the lighted torch above his head in the dark night, to show himself and others the path in which to tread, so the Christian is to hold up the Word by his life, and its testimony with his lips, that others may be enlightened and benefited.

7. Muse on the Word of God Prayerfully. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:2-3) As the well-watered tree by the river’s side, grows and is fruitful, so the Christian who muses on and meditates in, the truth of God, is prosperous in life, and profitable to others.

His will Is for believers

1. To be sanctified in Christ work – Hebrews 10:10

2. To be chosen and in His grace – Ephesians 1:5

3. To be separated from the world – Galatians 1:4

4. To be holy in life – I Thessalonians 4:3

5. To suffer in silence – I Peter 2:15

6. To be thankful in everything – I Thessalonians 5:18

7. To recognize Him in all things – I John chapter 5:14

Reference Paul’s Warnings study. My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6) Amos 8:11-12 Famine of hearing the words of the LORD, that is they don’t understand it

I want you to be able to discern truth from error, and that which is of God and that which is of Satan. (1 John 4:1

You need to be sound in doctrine 1st application of Scripture is doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16) Take heed unto the doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16)

Men and Young Men ought to have sound doctrine (Titus 2:1-8)

The Last Days – The Church of the Laodiceans

In the last days a departure from the faith and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1-6) Last days perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

People will forsake the truth and get for themselves preachers and teachers that tell them what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

If they speak not according to the Bible (Isaiah 8:19-20) See also 1 Peter 4:11 If you pervert, the words of the living God and do not repent he will forsake you (Jeremiah 23:33-36)

Things you need to know about false prophets:

There are many of them (1 John 4:1)

Many follow them (2 Peter 2:2)

Beware of false prophets that look like Christians (Matthew 7:15) and declare that Jesus is the Christ (Luke 21:8, Matthew 24:5)

They speak in the name of the LORD (Jeremiah 14:14, Ezekiel 13:6)

But out of their own heart (Jeremiah 23:16)

They seduce the people by saying peace when there is no peace (Ezekiel 13:10)

They are liars (Ezekiel 13:19, 22-23) Lamentations 2:14

They don’t deal with your sin to turn your captivity away

They believe Jesus is the Christ (Luke 21:8) and look like Christians (Matthew 7:15)

False prophets teach false doctrine (2 Peter 2:1) speak evil of the truth and MANY follow their ways (2 Peter 2:2)

They make merchandise of you through your own lusts (2 Peter 2:3)

They speak great words of vanity and allure through the lusts of the flesh (2 Peter 2:18)

They promise liberty, but bring you into bondage (2 Peter 2:19)

Preached peace always (Jeremiah 6:13-14) even to those that despise the Lord (Jeremiah 23:17)

They steal the word of God from you (Jeremiah 23:30)

God’s prophets:

True prophets turn people from their sin (Jeremiah 23:21-22) and they mainly preach that the people need to turn from their sin (Jeremiah 25:4-5) and they spoke out against things (Jeremiah 28:7-9)

The Fingerprints of the devil:

2 Corinthians 2:11 Not ignorant of his devices

Revelation 2:24 Not knowing the depths of Satan

General things about the devil:

He wants to be like God, he is religious, he is a musical being, he desires worship, power, and authority, and he is full of pride.

The devil is the great counterfeiter of God.

Genesis 3:1- 5

The very first words spoken by the devil reveal a great deal to the saint about what his tactics are: Yea, hath God said… In Genesis 2, God clearly and plainly told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in that day that he ate of it, he would surely die (Ge 2:16-17). Could God have been plainer with Adam? Did he not literally explain to him what God expected of him? God gave Adam the commandment not to eat of that tree: if he ate of it, he would die. God guaranteed that he would die.

So Satan comes along and asks a question, “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”

1. Questioning the word of the LORD – the serpent first gets you to question the word of the LORD. By doing so, the devil is able to plant a seed of doubt in your mind about what God had really said. The devil is subtle, and he tried to trick Eve by first getting her to question. LISTEN-there is no reason for us to question God’s word ever! God can be trusted, the devil cannot be. As Jesus said, he was a murderer and a liar from the beginning.

2. Lies about the word of the LORD – We see in the fourth verse that the devil flat out lies. He told Eve that she would not surely die. At some point the devil will flat out contradict the word of the LORD, but he will try to hide that by mixing it with some truth. The Scripture affirms that some of what the devil said would happen, happened. Their eyes were opened and they did become as gods knowing good and evil. BUT they did surely die.

1 Chronicles 21:1

Satan got David to question and wonder about whether the LORD was multiplying the seed of Israel as the stars of heaven.

This thing displeased the LORD.

Job 1:6-12

Satan questions God’s judgment

Job 2:1-6

Satan continues to question God’s word after seeing God’s word remaining true.

Zechariah 3:1-5

Satan argues and resists the angel of the LORD here because Joshua was about to have his filthy garments removed and receive forgiveness of sins and get a new garment!

Matthew 4:1-11

The devil tempts with the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life (see also 1 John 2:15- 17). Notice, Satan will quote scripture in trying to mess you up. The problem is the devil doesn’t rightly divide the Scripture, which shows he doesn’t have understanding of the Scripture.

Matthew 16:21-23

The devil contests the will of God and gets you to argue against the will of God for your life. The devil delights in the things of men, not the things of God.

Mark 4:14-15

The devil steals the seed of the word of God that was planted in the heart.

Acts 5:3

Satan can put thoughts into your heart even if you are saved.

2 Corinthians 11:13-14

Satan can appear as an angel of light, in other words a good thing. He also has MINISTSERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, some of which claim to be apostles, and they give themselves that title.

1 Thessalonians 2:18

Satan can hinder you from your service to God, your service to men, and your calling of God.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

Satan has the power to perform signs, wonders, and miracles that deceives you

Revelation 2:9-13, 3:9

Satan has a synagogue of people that claim to be Jews and are not (That is professing Christianity that claims to be Jewish in order to steal the promises from the Jew and apply them to the church, i.e. the kingdom of heaven) This church dwells where Satan’s seat is.

Revelation 2:24

Satan is very subtle and very wise

Revelation 12:9

Satan is a deceiver

Mark 13:39

The devil has his own followers in the world

Acts 13:7-12

The devil perverts the right ways of the LORD and is an enemy of all righteousness

2 Corinthians 11:3-4

The devil will try to get you to disbelieve the word of God and it’s authority and adopt another voice and it’s authority in its stead. He will try to corrupt your minds from the simplicity that is in Christ. Be careful of another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9)

Judas Iscariot

John 6:70, 13:1-2, 13:21-30

Judas was possessed with a devil long before the last supper. Judas preached the word of God, performed signs, wonders, and miracles, and was in charge of the money. He appeared as one that could be trusted. The disciples had know clue who would betray the Lord because the devil inside of Judas wasn’t obvious, but eventually it became manifest.

Be Careful!