When it comes
to false doctrine being proclaimed, there are several red flags to be watchful
for. The devil himself exemplifies each of them. In the last article we
observed the devil discrediting the word of God. God said that Adam and Eve
would die if they partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The devil
said to Eve that she would not die. Therefore, the first red flag to be aware
of is discrediting the word of God.
We will observe
in this article the next words that the devil spoke to Eve. He said, “For
God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened…” (Genesis
3:5a). The second red flag is the
undermining of God’s love.
In a sense, the
devil was declaring to Eve that God was holding her back. Specifically, He was
holding her back from the knowledge she would gain from her eyes being opened.
Note the latter part of verse five. “…and a tree desirable to make one wise,
she took of its fruit and ate…”
In a few short
words, the devil made is appear as though God was holding Eve back from wisdom.
The truth was that God was holding her back from death, banishment from the
garden, and increased pain in childbirth.
Any time that
God’s love or integrity is called into question, we see a red flag. When we
look at God’s love and integrity, we see flawless perfection. John wrote, “…God
is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5b). Later he stated, “He
who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8).
When we examine
the commandments that God has given to man, we understand that they are for our
benefit. David wrote, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed
according to Your word.” (Psalms 119:9) He also stated, “I will never forget
Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.” (Psalms 119:93)
The devil tries
to slip temptation in under our radar. He does this under the guise that God’s
intentions are not in our best interest. For this reason, Eve partook of the
forbidden tree, the rich young ruler turned away in great sorrow from Jesus,
and Demas forsook Paul by turning back to the world.
Today, when
people believe God is holding them back, they will choose false riches over the
true riches of God. They will choose temporary pleasure over the eternal joys
of heaven. They will choose man’s pattern for the church over God’s pattern He
set forth in the New Testament.
Undermining
God’s love and integrity is not new. The devil has been using this strategy
from the very beginning. Over the course of history, many souls have been lost
to his deception. We, therefore, must be constantly mindful of the devil’s
second red flag!
God Bless each
of you,
Eric Hicks
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