Blue Elevator Blog

Get Equipped

In the Garden

In the garden, there was not an all-out front on the existence of God (e.g., there is no God).  But rather, the reinterpretation of God:

• …did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”? – Genesis 3:1
• “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. – Genesis 3:4
•  For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. – Genesis 3:5

Notice the three-pronged approach:

• Did God really say it (Doubt)?
• What He said isn’t true (Deception).
• Doing “the thing” will afford you certain, special benefits (Disillusionment).

Strategically and systematically, if we are not careful, we are led through the process that convinces us that there is something better out there.  Merriam Webster defines disillusionment as “to cause (someone) to stop believing that something is good, valuable, true, etc.”  Or, the follow-on to that, that there is something better out there.

In the Wilderness

Even Jesus, the Son of God, who is also called the Word of God, went through a similar barrage in the wilderness:

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” – Matthew 4:3

(Doubt – Are you really the son of God?)

• Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]” – Matthew 4:4

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[a]” – Matthew 4:5-6

(Deception – Using even the Scripture to deceive)

• Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[a]” – Matthew 4:7

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” – Matthew 4:8-9

(Disillusionment – Notice the offering something “good”)

• Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[a]” – Matthew 4:10

Notice this: Jesus countered each and every affront by the proper use of the Word of God.

Be Encouraged – Get Equipped

The enemy isn’t always about denying the existence of God, but rather causing the reinterpretation of God.  Hence, it is the introduction of “something” that creates the doubt, the deception, and/or the disillusionment.

Now, I am not suggesting that the above pattern is the definitive modus operandi.  Nor should the reader presume any special insight into my self-imposed alliterative labels of doubt, deception, and disillusionment.  Or, that it always happens in three easy, sequential steps.  It is often much simpler than that.

And as is the case, it is written, …

but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. – James 1:14

Get Equipped

But, whatever your conundrum or temptation, what I am suggesting is that your safety and defense can be the proper use of the Word of God.  And it is here where we can use the same pattern as Jesus did.  To fight fire with a greater fire, so to speak – and that being the Word of God itself.

But to do this effectively, it presupposes something.  To wit, that you know and understand the Word of God.  And that, my friends, is a two-step process:

1. First, you must receive Christ – to believe in His name.  We must (you must) become children of God.  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – John 1:12
2. Second, we must begin the process of spending time in God’s Word.

How to Spend Time in God’s Word

Read a Psalm, a chapter of Proverbs, and/or look up a passage or two on a particular area of concern.  I would even go further to suggest this:

How about spending time systematically in God’s Word?  Maybe you could make it a goal to read through the Bible in a year?  I do not want to impose any sort of legalistic program.  Just think about it and pray about it.

Where Are You At?

In candor, I must admit for way too may years, I was dissuaded from spending time in God’s Word.  Both because I found more “exciting” things to do and I didn’t want to be “convicted.”  Consequently, reading the Bible was low on my list.  The time I did spend in God’s Word was on some topical subject: anger, sin, depression, etc.

• How about a devotional that focuses on a particular verse or passage of Scripture?
• If you spend no time at all, how about one chapter of Proverbs each day?
• If you spend some time, extend it a little.
• How about reading a little bit of the Bible – five days a week, six days a week, or every day?

The Bible in a Year?

By all means, avail yourself of situational reading like that above; however, I would also like to encourage you to take it all in.  Instead of sampling, how about eating the complete meal, as it were?  And, you don’t have to do it all in one sitting.  How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.

A great way to undertake this is to use any number of “through the Bible in a year” programs.  You will cover the entire Bible in a year – and it won’t take very much time out of your day – maybe 10 to 15 minutes at most.

There are many different programs to choose from.  Pick one!

What’s in it For You/Me/We, You Ask?

When we receive the Spirit – by believing in Christ – the Spirit can bring to mind Jesus’ teachings as given in His Word:

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. – John 14:26

The more we read God’s Word, the more familiar we become with His Word – and the more the Holy Spirit can remind you of.

Thus, the more equipped you are to be able to do battle and for every good work:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Encouragements

• So, have you taken a step of faith to become a child of God?
• And, would you like to read God’s Word?

[Note: Don’t like to read?  No problem.  There are many programs that will narrate God’s Word to you!]

If you need any encouragement related to the above, let me know!  Contact me here.

May God bless you as you spend time in His Word!