How
can we be safe? Here are some guidelines to help us
B1
Truth (reality) is most important
C1
Beware
of following any pastor, leader, person, etc. with knowing truth
about them.
Unthinking
respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth—Albert
Einstein, 1879-1955, German-Jewish physicist
C3
Some verses on truth just from the Epistle to the Ephesians:
D1
Ephesians 4:15, 21, 25 NLT Instead,
we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more
like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. ... 21 Since
you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from
him, ... 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the
truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
D2
Ephesians 6:14 NLT Stand
your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's
righteousness.
C4
Contrast the devil and the Lord Jesus regarding truth
D1
Lord Jesus: John 1:14 NKJV 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.
D2
devil: John 8:44 PickNT You
are of your father the devil, and it is the desires of your father
that you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not
stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he
speaks the lie he speaks from his own things, because he is a liar
and the father of [lying].
C5
Example of speaking the truth. We
must know the Scriptures and interpret them correctly:
Matthew 4:10 NIV Jesus
said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship
the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
B2
Understanding that the Scriptures are the only source of 100% truth
B3
Proper reading and understanding of the Scriptures. Since God is
omniscient and omnisapient (all wise), He knows how to communicate
perfectly. Knowing this, we interpret the Bible in its plain, normal
sense. The Lord Jesus quotes from the Old Testament many times. Some
say 84, but I don’t know. Each time He interprets those Old
Testament passages in their plain, normal sense. (See here)
B4
Be a little skeptical. Search the Scriptures to see if this is
correct. Be careful of them for they will redefine words and
concepts. Don’t let them speak with impressive words and long,
unnecessary answers. Don’t trust an explanation that takes reams of
paper. Acts 17:11 NLT And
the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica,
and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the
Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the
truth.
B6
Don’t become passive, that is, a mystic. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT Stay
alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around
like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm
against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your
Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through
the same kind of suffering you are.
B7
Be aware of his schemes. The
schemes of the devil are those things he tries against us to get us
to have misery, defeat, and even to deny the Lord Jesus. Ephesians
6:11 NIV Put
on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the
devil's schemes.
C1
He brings to mind the our failures.
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He accuses us of sinning.
C3
He accuses us of being fake Christians.
C4
He tempts with sin.
C5
He lies.
C6
He uses his agents to cause harm.
C7
He
flatters to bring about pride.
C8
He
uses sinful, sensual pleasures to arouse passions not allowed by God.
C9
He
uses suffering. It may be persecution, sickness, abuse, etc.
C10
He deceives.
B8
Resist 1 Peter 5:9 CSB Resist
him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are
being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
B9
No temptation is more than we can resist. Temptation is not sin. The
Lord Jesus was tempted and without sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB No
temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But
God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you
are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so
that you may be able to bear it.
B10
Believe. He does love us. Romans 8:38-39 CSB For
I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor
depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from
the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
B11
God’s grace: 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV But
he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more
gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
B12
Prayer. This would include personal prayer and also a Christian
brother or sister or the church. Luke 22:40 NIV On
reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not
fall into temptation.
B13
To be on guard, not to slough off: 2 Peter 3:17 NIV Therefore,
dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so
that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall
from your secure position.
B14
Spiritual growth though Bible reading and studying, fellowship,
living the Christian life, etc.: 2 Peter 3:18 NIV But
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
B15
Knowing God’s rules and having self-control. With the help of God’s
grace, we can.
C1
God’s grace: Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
C2
Self-control, self-discipline: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV Do you
not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the
prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who
competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a
crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last
forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I
do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to
my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others,
I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
B16
Rejoicing in God, His grace, and His blessings: Psalm 23:5 NLT You
prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by
anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
B17
Rejoice and have hope. The God, who stood with Paul when all
abandoned him, is with us also. 2 Timothy 4:16-18 NLT The first
time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone
abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord
stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good
News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me
from certain death. 18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every
evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All
glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
B18
Realize and hold on to the promise of the Lord Jesus praying for us:
Hebrews 7:25 NIV Therefore he is able to save completely those who
come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for
them.
B19
Seek the fellowship of other believers: 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 NLT and
we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God's co-worker
in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen
you, to encourage you in your faith, 3 and to keep you from being
shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we
are destined for such troubles.
B20
The devil’s agents are their to destroy our faith, make us
ineffective, make life miserable. We remember our Lord Jesus and
share His sufferings: 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT Dear friends, don't be
surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something
strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad--for these
trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you
will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed
to all the world.
The
dangers we believers face is large, but we have a redeemer, one who
will never leave us.
Psalm
5:2-7 NLT Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I
pray to no one but you. 3 Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. 4 O
God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins
of the wicked. 5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil. 6 You will destroy those who tell lies.
The LORD detests murderers and deceivers. 7 Because of your unfailing
love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with
deepest awe.
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