The Devil Used Scripture

 

 Introduction

In Matthew chapter 4:1-11, Jesus was tempted three times by the devil. Each time He was tempted, Jesus referred to scripture to combat the temptation. He would start by saying, “It is written…”

However, the devil, himself, used scripture! After his first failure; and Jesus referring to scripture, the devil, made his second appeal to Jesus by quoting scripture himself. In verses 5-7, it is written, Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”

Some might be surprised that Satan would use scripture but that’s why he is so cunning and deceitful. It continues on even today!

 

Misquoting Scripture

The Devil’s scripture reference comes from Psalm 91:11-12, For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. If you notice in verse 11, the phrase, “to keep you in all your ways” is absent when the devil quoted it in Mt. 4:6.

However, in Luke’s account, Luke 4:10, the phrase is there. I’m going to suggest that this was an intentional omission of the phrase, in Matthew’s account to show the Jews (the book of Matthew was aimed towards the Jews), that they should know this passage of scripture and realize that the phrase, here, was omitted.

It also shows that when scripture is being used, if you aren’t paying attention; and following along in your own bible, you’ll be easily deceived simply because someone is stating that they are quoting the bible.

Luke writes in Acts 17:11, These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Just because Paul or Peter; apostles of Jesus Christ, were preaching to them, they didn’t simply take their word at face value. They searched the scriptures to make sure what was being told them was, in fact, the truth.

 

An Angel of Light

Even today, Satan is spreading his misquoting of scriptures throughout the world. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

The denominations, the community churches, the Salvation Army, and any Life Center, is the devil at work as an angel of light. Most people, who attend these so-called places of worship, won’t even crack a bible open to see if what the “preacher” says is true. The speaker will say, “It’s in the bible, see for yourself.” But no one will, because they’re positive that it’s in there otherwise, why say that it is?

They won’t preach on sin because it doesn’t put people into the seats of their auditoriums. Rather, they’d give you a “rah rah” speech about how great God is, how caring Jesus is, and, for just a few dollars, they’ll care about you too.

 

An Example of Misuse of Scriptures

Peter talks of how untaught and unstable people are who alter the scriptures (2 Peter 3:16). They do it for their own agenda, rather than going by what the bible actually teaches.

For example, denominational preachers will tell you that you don’t need to be baptized to be saved. Even though Jesus stated in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” They’ll focus on the second half of this verse stating that because it does not say, “He who does not believe and isn’t baptized will be condemned”, belief only is necessary.

My question is why would someone who doesn’t believe want to get baptized anyway? If this were the case, then all you have is a wet sinner. So, if one doesn’t believe, you can easily conclude that he won’t get baptized therefore, it’s not necessary to say it a second time.

Let me go one step further. What if the verse said, “He who believes and is baptized will be given a brand-new car?” The word, ‘and’ is a conjunction and puts two words together meaning that both are required. Anyone would understand that if they wanted the new car, they would have to believe AND be baptized before they get it. But, for some reason, it doesn’t seem to apply to salvation.

 

How Do I Know?

People might ask, “What proof do you have that these places of worship are the work of the devil?” Originally, I was a member of a denomination, the Lutheran church or, as someone once called it, Catholic Lite. I went through all of the hullabaloo that was required; communion classes, Sunday school, and confirmation classes. I don’t remember anything useful from any of that stuff. For a sermon, the preacher only spoke for ten minutes but the only thing I remember was the funny jokes that came prior to the “sermon”.

When we had interns, preachers-in-training, their sermons would go twenty minutes. For a first time, it’s understandable. But the entire congregation would give the located preacher an earful stating that the lesson was too long! That’s right, they had the authority to tell someone that they talked to long.

In my experience of preaching the truth of the gospel, ten minutes is a good introduction length with the lesson; itself averaging 45-50 minutes. Those of the denominations would most likely walk out after ten.

 

Conclusion

If you’re not opening your bible and studying, as an honest bible student, then you are allowing the devil to tell you whatever you want to hear and accept it as truth. Jesus called the devil the “Father of Lies” (John 8:44) and to believe what he tells you, at face value, puts you in league with him.

As Jesus said in Matthew 15:14, “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” Don’t be a blind follower, open your bible and study! If you need assistance, let me know in the comments below.