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Before sin and suffering entered, human beings were created by God and lived in an unspoiled world. They were perfect physically, mentally, and spiritually. They could literally walk and talk with God and other heavenly beings.
Tragically, after the first man and woman disobeyed God, this direct communication was lost, and the rebel angel, Satan, took control of humanity. Their act of rebellion changed their nature. Now, human beings were separated from God by their self-centeredness and were doomed to die. But God in His great mercy provided a pathway for humanity’s complete restoration.
Satan’s power over the earth was broken when God sent His own Son to die for our sins. John 12:31–32. Humankind no longer has to remain in captivity to Satan. However, as we observe our world today, we see that Satan is seeking every possible way to keep control over our minds. But it is possible to find God in all this confusion. He has opened a communication channel with us that reliably guides and empowers us to come back to God.
The Light of God's Word
- What gift did God give to us?
Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word; great was the company of those who proclaimed it.
- What does God’s Word provide for us?
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Many thinking people are asking questions such as “Why was I born into this violent world?” “Does God have a plan for me?” “What happens to me when I die?” We can be thankful that God does supply us with definite Bible answers to these important questions.
Authority of God's Word
- Who is called “The Word”?
John 1:1–5, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. … 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. The authority of the written Word, the Bible, is in complete harmony with the authority of the living Word, Jesus. Both were sent as gifts from the Father.
- What does God say about Himself?
Isaiah 46:9–10 Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”God is supreme in the universe. There is truly no other like Him, but He deserves authority for more than just this reason. God is our Creator, and because of humanity’s fall into sin, He is also our Savior. He deserves our respect twice over for His great love for us.
God's Communication Channel
- Since God’s authority is supreme in the universe, how does He relay His will to us?
2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 1:1 God...at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets.
- As no prophecy in Scripture is of any private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20), where must our understanding of the Bible come from?
Psalm 119:33–34 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.God sends the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, to teach and guide us into truth.
- Whose words should direct our lives?
Psalm 119:133 Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.God has given us a powerful weapon in the Bible, for it not only transforms our lives, but it protects us in the ongoing battle with Satan.
Obedience to the Word
- How much Scripture was inspired by God?
2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- What will happen if we follow Jesus’ Word?
John 8:31–32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”This is a freedom we can’t find any other way. It completely changes our life, giving us peace and fulfillment.
Satan's Subtle Last-Day Deceptions
- Who is the father of lies and of liars?
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. Satan is the arch deceiver of the universe. He has many methods of gaining control, and most of them are extremely subtle. Satan knows that if we recognize him behind the deceptions and temptations, if we claim the power of God to overcome, he will be helpless to deceive us. The Bible serves to reveal some of his more subtle methods, as well as those that are obvious.,
- How does the devil react to the shortness of time?
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Satan knows that he has but a little time left to deceive humanity, and he’s using all his resources to prevent men from turning to God. He has had 6,000 years to perfect his works of deception. The Bible explains what methods he will use so that we may be prepared to withstand them.
- How strong will Satan’s last day deceptions be?
Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.Impressive miracles are not always from God. At the end of time it will be dangerous to trust our senses because Satan can empower people to perform apparent miracles and speak wise-sounding words.
Spotting Satan's Deceptions
- How can we test for deception?
Isaiah 8:19–20 And when they say to you, Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter, should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.“The law” and “the testimony” refer to the revealed will of God in Old Testament times. We now have the whole Bible to guide us.
- If people quote Bible verses, is it safe to always trust what they say?
Matthew 4:5–7 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, let you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘you shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”When Satan was attempting to get Jesus to sin, he tried quoting Scripture to Him. But he twisted it by taking it out of context and misapplying it. Jesus knew that the Scripture he used (Ps. 91:11–12) was not intended to be used as protection for doing something God had not authorized. We need to be well acquainted with the teachings of the Bible so we can spot the misuse of Scripture. It’s another of Satan’s subtle deceptions. During Satan’s wilderness temptations, Jesus also showed us the most powerful way to combat Satan’s deceptions: the correct use of a “thus says the Lord.”
Summary
God gave us the Bible to restore communication between heaven and earth and reveal truth to us. God is our Creator and Redeemer. Therefore, His Word has supreme authority and requires our heartfelt obedience. It also provides a reliable defense against temptation and deception. A daily study of the Bible, with the Holy Spirit as our teacher, will change our lives and protect us from Satan’s attacks.
Personal Commitment
I recognize that the Bible is God’s great guidebook, and I plan to live my life in accordance with its principles.
