“The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91.” (Matthew 4:5 MSG)
As William Shakespeare said: “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” Quoting scripture to persuade others is nothing new. People of all faith backgrounds have been manipulated to do things that are harmful to themselves and others in the name God. Bible verses have been used to defend slavery, genocide, discrimination, and child abuse. Certain verses from the Quran have been exploited to justify terrorism and the subjugation of women. Hindu texts have been utilized to condone child marriages.
When someone attempts to manipulate you into doing evil by using twisted scriptures, how can you counteract it? Jesus was able to stand firm and respond appropriately because of his deep understanding of scripture. We can follow his example. The only way to defend against a skilled enemy is to learn to use your weapons well. This requires knowledge, practice, and determination. Do not be satisfied with other people’s interpretations of scripture. Study it for yourself. Ask God to reveal what you need to learn. Write it out; analyze it; pray with it; internalize it. Once we learn to use the weapons that have been provided, we can fight back against the invisible spiritual forces and unseen powers of darkness.
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11 MSG)
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