LORD’S DAY, JANUARY 8
GENESIS 3:1-7
MATTHEW 4:4

"… Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God."

SATAN CAUSES MAN TO DISOBEY GOD’S WORD

Satan used the serpent, being craftier than any of the other animals, to tempt Eve. He caused Eve to doubt God’s Word when he told Eve, "Yea, hath God said...?" (Gen 3:1). This same doubt is in the questioning of the perfect divine inspiration of the Word of God. Satan further distorted God’s Word as he twisted the words of the LORD by asking Eve, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" This same distortion is introduced today in the corrupt modern English versions of the Bible. This is the unbelief in the verbal and plenary preservation of the Scriptures.

Satan then went on to deny God’s warnings. He said, "Ye shall not surely die" (Gen 3:4). This is really the rejection of the perfect authority of God’s Word in the lives of every believer. This is reflected in the humanistic approach of rationalism in understanding the Bible, i.e. using man’s intellect to discern the mind of God.

Satan’s ploy for Christians is to lead them to disobey God. He knows he cannot take away the salvation of those who have truly believed in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. However, if Christians are tricked to refuse to comply with the commandments of the Word of God, they can become lights hidden in bushels. They can no more reflect the true light of Christ in their lives. Christians must remember to obey every Word of God necessary for their day-to-day living.

Lord, let us desire to be always a shining light for Thee, a light that shines for Thy glory. Shield us from the lies and deception of the enemy. Our days on earth are just but a few so let us be useful for Thee until Thou calls us home one day. Help us to discern Thy will for us and not to disobey Thy Word. May we love Thy law and meditate upon it. Let it be the light of our path in this sinful world.

THOUGHT: Am I obedient to God’s Word?
PRAYER: "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles" (Ps 43:3).