Q7 How has he shown that he has contempt for the law of God?
Ye shall not surely die. Genesis 3:4
NOTE: When these words are read in the context of the previous verses, it is clear that the serpent (Revelation 12:9 reveals that the serpent who spoke to Adam and Eve was the devil and Satan ) is countermanding the death penalty within the law of God. To question the penalty of a law is to reveal one’s self in opposition to that law. In Genesis 2:17 God had given Adam and Eve a specific commandment—’Of every tree in the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.’ Satan says, Ye shall not surely die! A lie.
Q8 In addition to desiring a throne, a kingdom and the authority to make laws, what other element of God’s honour does he wish to claim for himself?
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:7-10
NOTE: Satan’s aim is to draw worship and service to himself. He seeks subjects who will show subservience to him. Notice that his method is to offer bribes to buy this honour. He does not draw honour to himself through the loveliness of his character. It is also worth noting that he thinks he has the whole world to offer. Other Bible verses show that he has global aspirations that all the world should worship and serve him.
Q9 How is it possible to recognise the deceptions that are intended to destroy the human race? Here are some commonly used ploys.
- We all share a common spirit within us.
- We are evolving to something better.
- He has changed God’s laws.
- He denies that we will die and sleep in the grave.
- He says that God is just a crutch in our minds and that God is dead.
- Satan teaches that science has the answers to life without involving Jesus the Creator.
- Satan works through mysticism and the occult.
- He has changed the Scriptures.
- He is constantly attacking Jesus through modern religions, saying that He is not God.
Q10 What are some of the ways through which Satan’s philosophies are taught?
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. 1 Timothy 6:21
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 1 Timothy 1:5,6.
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 2 Timothy 2:23
But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 2 Timothy 2:16 |
