Then the devil took Him (Jesus) to the holy city and 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 will command His angels concerning you,’ and “’On their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone.”’ Matthew 4:5-6

Never forget, we are at war and souls are at stake.

Spiritual battle.

Heaven and Hell.

The enemy is crafty – he knows my wounds and weaknesses.

He knows where the holes in the fence are.

And no wonder, for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

Camouflaged darkness in full masquerade.

A siren’s lure to light wrapped destruction.

Takes what is good and perverts its use.

Know the enemy.

Twisting scripture is a tactic satan reveals with Jesus in the desert.

Isolated, exhausted and hungry, Jesus is in a vulnerable position.

Satan twists God’s Word and tempts Him to sin.

“Prove You are who You say You are…throw Yourself down….God won’t let You fall – His angels will catch You.”

satan twists scripture to advance his agenda.

It’s a tactic.

A strategy.

A weapon of the enemy to disarm, discourage and distract.

A direction that runs into rocks.

Shipwrecks my life.

My faith.

Ministry.

Jesus has none of it.

He answers satan’s taunt with truth.

“Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”’ Matthew 4:7

Jesus knows the truth.

He doesn’t allow His flesh to rule.

It’s not a temptation if it doesn’t tempt.

Jesus was fully God and fully human.

God allowed Him to be pressed and tempted to prove His worthiness.

To be found without blemish or sin, you must first be tempted by it.

Jesus anchored Himself in truth.

He didn’t grab for a twisted version that allowed Him to do what His flesh may have craved – rise up and be God.

Prove who He was.

Put satan in his place.

God is not about prejudice, hate or abuse.

He is perfect in justice, mercy, grace.

His Word convicts, it doesn’t condemn.

It drives out fear.

It doesn’t delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres.

God doesn’t love, He is love.

Love that never fails.

How do I recognize twisted scripture?

 

God makes it simple - He tells us plainly how to protect ourselves. Click To Tweet

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.

A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Matthew 7:15-18

We know a tree by it’s fruit.

When anyone uses scripture to justify or promote something that doesn’t line up with God’s character, it is false.

God never calls me to hate or harm others.

He never calls me to hold grudges.

He doesn’t bring people places or things that oppose His Word.

He calls me to follow and obey His life giving Word that preserves mine.

His Word keeps me from destruction.

He calls me to love.

Love neighbors, love God.

Do not be deceived.

There is an enemy who prowls like a lion.

His mission is to kill and destroy.

Alienate and isolate.

God says to share the gospel’s truth and grace.

He never says to condemn.

Jesus never bullied anyone into following Him.

He washed feet and hugged children.

He ate with sinners and spoke against legalism.

He came to show people God’s love and point them to life.

He issued invitations and spoke truth then let them choose.

Choose who I follow and serve.

Left or right, life or death.

Do my words, actions, life tear people down and destroy? Or give life?

Fruit reveals the tree.

The wolf comes disguised as a sheep.

It starts with a whisper, a secret.

Appearing harmless.

I know it doesn’t line up with God’s Word but it’s just this once.

A harmless flirtation.

A white lie.

A small thing no one will miss.

A spark starts a massive fire.

Burning destruction.

Smoldering ashes.

Lush greenbelt now wasteland.

A life laid bare.

There is no love without freedom so God lets me choose.

Left or right.

Up or down.

His way or mine.

When I grab control, ignore His Word and go my own way, He lets me.

When I follow my deceitful heart, it often leads me astray.

The heart is the home of emotion – emotion created as an enhancer, never for wisdom or GPS.

I must use my head and override emotion that wanders me away.

I am a sheep among wolves.

My Shepherd keeps watch, keeps me safe.

When I leave the Shepherd’s side, I am vulnerable to attack.

Vulnerable to an enemy who waits.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Make no mistake, we are at war.

There is an enemy who seeks to destroy you.

Arm yourself.