How can we be safe? Here are some guidelines to help us
B1 Truth (reality) is most important
C1 Beware of following any pastor, leader, person, etc. with knowing truth about them. Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth—Albert Einstein, 1879-1955, German-Jewish physicist
C2 The Importance of Truth (I don’t agree with everything on this site).
C3 Some verses on truth just from the Epistle to the Ephesians:
D1 Ephesians 4:15, 21, 25 NLT Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. … 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, … 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
D2 Ephesians 6:14 NLT Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
C4 Contrast the devil and the Lord Jesus regarding truth
D1 Lord Jesus: John 1:14 NKJV And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
D2 devil: John 8:44 PickNT You are of your father the devil, and it is the desires of your father that you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks the lie he speaks from his own things, because he is a liar and the father of [lying].
C5 Example of speaking the truth. We must know the Scriptures and interpret them correctly: Matthew 4:10 NIV Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'”
B2 Understanding that the Scriptures are the only source of 100% truth
B3 Proper reading and understanding of the Scriptures. Since God is omniscient and omnisapient (all wise), He knows how to communicate perfectly. Knowing this, we interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense. The Lord Jesus quotes from the Old Testament many times. Some say 84, but I don’t know. Each time He interprets those Old Testament passages in their plain, normal sense. (See here)
B4 Be a little skeptical. Search the Scriptures to see if this is correct. Be careful of them for they will redefine words and concepts. Don’t let them speak with impressive words and long, unnecessary answers. Don’t trust an explanation that takes reams of paper. Acts 17:11 NLT And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
B6 Don’t become passive, that is, a mystic. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
B7 Be aware of his schemes. The schemes of the devil are those things he tries against us to get us to have misery, defeat, and even to deny the Lord Jesus. Ephesians 6:11 NIV Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
C1 He brings to mind the our failures.
C2 He accuses us of sinning.
C3 He accuses us of being fake Christians.
C4 He tempts with sin.
C5 He lies.
C6 He uses his agents to cause harm.
C7 He flatters to bring about pride.
C8 He uses sinful, sensual pleasures to arouse passions not allowed by God.
C9 He uses suffering. It may be persecution, sickness, abuse, etc.
C10 He deceives.
B8 Resist 1 Peter 5:9 CSB Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
B9 No temptation is more than we can resist. Temptation is not sin. The Lord Jesus was tempted and without sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.
B10 Believe. He does love us. Romans 8:38-39 CSB For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
B11 God’s grace: 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
B12 Prayer. This would include personal prayer and also a Christian brother or sister or the church. Luke 22:40 NIV On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.
B13 To be on guard, not to slough off: 2 Peter 3:17 NIV Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
B14 Spiritual growth though Bible reading and studying, fellowship, living the Christian life, etc. 2 Peter 3:18 NIV But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
B15 Knowing God’s rules and having self-control. With the help of God’s grace, we can.
C1 God’s grace: Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
C2 Self-control, self-discipline: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
B16 Rejoicing in God, His grace, and His blessings: Psalm 23:5 NLT You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
B17 Rejoice and have hope. The God, who stood with Paul when all abandoned him, is with us also. 2 Timothy 4:16-18 NLT The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. 18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
B18 Realize and hold on to the promise of the Lord Jesus praying for us: Hebrews 7:25 NIV Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
B19 Seek the fellowship of other believers: 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 NLT and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, 3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.
B20 The devil’s agents are their to destroy our faith, make us ineffective, make life miserable. We remember our Lord Jesus and share His sufferings: 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad–for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
The dangers we believers face is large, but we have a redeemer, one who will never leave us.
Psalm 5:2-7 NLT Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. 3 Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. 4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked. 5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil. 6 You will destroy those who tell lies. The LORD detests murderers and deceivers. 7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
Posted by Choco in 2019 at 06:34
Labels: Safety from devil’s schemes, devil’s agents, Persecution