The title of this article came from a thought that occurred to me when I read Ps.91:11, 12 (see also Mt.4:5, 6, Lk.4:9-11). The Devil and his spiritual ministers have a distinct advantage over his earthly children, i.e. he knows God is and he knows the power and truth of God’s word, Gen.3:1, Mt.8:28-32, Jas.2:19, Jude 9, Ps.14:1. Whatever Satan’s motivation, his rebellion will lead him and those who are his to eternal punishment, Mt.25:41, 46.
It is both scary and humbling to know the Devil knows the word of God. We know he perverts it and influences its rejection, denial, and twisting to doom souls to eternal condemnation, Jn.8:44, 2 Cor.2:11, 2 Cor.4:3, 4, Gal.1:6-10, Gal.3:1, 2 Pet.3:15, 16, 1 Pet.5:8, 9. Back to my question; does the Devil know more Scripture than I do? As one who has been a Christian for over 30 years, it pains me to admit he probably does! However, this doesn’t shake my faith for a number of reasons. Foremost is the fact that not the hearer of the word is justified but the doer, Rom.2:1-13, Jas.1:21-25, Heb.5:9. Secondly, I know he is a liar and doesn’t rightly divide the word of truth, as is evidenced in his temptation of Jesus Christ, Lk.4:1-13, 2 Tim.2:14-19. Thirdly, I know God wants me to be saved and will assist me in distinguishing truth from error, John.17:17, Jn.8:31, 32, Col.2:8, 1 Tim.4:16, 1 Jn.4:1-6, 2 Jn. 9. Fourthly, I know faith is to be a lifetime process of spiritual growth, 2 Pet.3:18, 2 Pet.1:3-11. Lastly, we know the Devil is an eternal loser, Rev.20:10-15.
The Devil’s rejection of truth for attempted superiority makes his knowing the Scriptures of extreme importance to accomplish his goal of leading as many away from the truth as he can in the vain attempt to dethrone and humiliate God. He only succeeds in making his own torment throughout eternity greater. The knowledge that Satan knows more Bible than I do should make me more cautious, more humble, and more devoted to God, His Son, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Warnings are found throughout the New Testament against seeking to follow the commandments and traditions of men as substitutes to God’s word, Mt.15:1-20, Jn.12:42-50, 1 Cor.4, Rev., Chapters 2 and 3. As with Eve, Satan wants us to believe and accept substitutions to the word of God. Satan uses his knowledge of Scriptures to destroy, 1 Pet.5:8. How am I using mine, 2 Cor.13:5?
-Gordon Skinner
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