Building on the Foundation

  While writing a recent post about Satan the devil, I was struck by a realization of how much his human followers behave like him. It’s no wonder, then, that God’s Word sometimes speaks of Satan’s followers as his sons, children, or ministers. Jesus Christ told those conspiring against Him, “You are of your father the devil” (John 8:44). The apostle Paul denounced a sorcerer to his face with these words: “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness” (Acts 13:10). He also warned the Corinthians about Satan’s ministers (2 Cor. 11:13-15). The apostle John contrasted the children of God with the children of the devil (1 John 3:10). The Old Testament often describes vile persons as sons of Belial, children of Belial, or men of Belial. In Hebrew, this word “Belial” (Strong’s # H1100) means such things as “without benefit, worthless, wicked, fruitless, destruction.” In 2 Cor. 6:15, Paul uses this name as an apparent reference to Satan. And how do we know who Satan’s children ar...

  You are being watched. Every hour, every day, every second. There’s a creature crouching, waiting, stalking, watching you with hate-filled eyes piercing through the darkness. You never see him, yet he’s always there, looking for a chink in your armor, searching for an opportunity to strike. Yes, this adversary is Satan the Devil. The apostle Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). “Know your enemy” is the famed maxim uttered by Sun Tzu, ancient Chinese soldier and author of The Art of War . Indeed, of such a dangerous foe, we cannot afford to be ignorant. After warning the Corinthians of a potential threat, the apostle Paul explained, “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11). God’s Word tells us much about Satan’s attacks. He is “more cunning than any beast of the field,” more cunning than a slithering snake or a stalking l...

  Last time , we talked about how we are expected to conduct ourselves if we want to be part of God’s kingdom. Now let’s shift focus slightly. Can we apply what we know of God’s unchanging character to more then just our physical actions? Like maybe our understanding of His Word and His plan for us? Of course we can! In fact, I dare say, without applying these principles, we will not be able to fully or properly understand His truth and how He expects us to worship Him. God’s Word contains everything that is necessary for us to truly get to know Him, who He is, His character and His plan for us. As we read in 2 Tim. 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Though it is all contained in the scriptures, it is not easy to extract. As Prov. 25:2 says “It is the glory of God to conceal a matt...