Exposing the Wiles of the Devil: How Satan Twisted Scripture Then and Now

Exposing the Wiles of the Devil: How Satan Twisted Scripture Then and Now

Throughout history, Satan has persistently sought to distort God's truth and lead humanity astray. His strategies, from the temptations he presented to Jesus in the wilderness to today's tactics that sow confusion and false doctrine, remain as cunning as ever. By understanding these methods, we can better guard against deception and remain steadfast in the truth revealed in Scripture.

Satan’s cunning is notably evident in his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, as described in Matthew 4. By selectively quoting and twisting Scripture, he attempted to manipulate Jesus into sinning or misusing His divine authority. These events not only provide insight into Satan’s strategies during Jesus' time but also shed light on how his deceptive tactics continue to lead people into darkness today.

Stones to Bread: Twisting Dependence on God

Satan said to Jesus: "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." (Matthew 4:3, KJV)

Jesus responded by quoting Scripture: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4, KJV)

Here, Jesus cited Deuteronomy 8:3, which states: "And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live."

Twist by Satan: Satan ignored the spiritual truth emphasized in Deuteronomy 8:3—that God provides both physical and spiritual sustenance, and that man must ultimately rely on God. By focusing solely on physical needs, Satan tried to lure Jesus into using His power to satisfy hunger, rather than trusting in God’s provision and plan.

Casting Himself Down: Twisting Divine Protection

Satan continued: "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." (Matthew 4:6, KJV)

Jesus replied: "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matthew 4:7, KJV)

Satan quoted Psalm 91:11–12: "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."

Twist by Satan: Satan misapplied these verses by taking them out of context. Psalm 91 speaks of God’s protection for those who trust Him in faithful living—not as a justification for reckless behaviour or testing God. Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16: "Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah."

This reminds us that trusting God does not mean presumptuously testing His promises.

Modern-Day Deceptions: How Satan Twists Scripture Today

Satan's tactics remain unchanged. He continues to twist and distort Scripture and deceive humanity in various ways. Below is a non-exhaustive list of tactics that Satan employs to keep humanity in the dark regarding the truth and light found in God’s word.

1. Distorting Scripture

• Modern copyrighted Bible translations and can sometimes confuse the original meaning of the Bible, leading people away from its core truths. Similarly, individuals and even denominational standings may misinterpret or intentionally take verses out of context to serve their own purposes.
• See these links about the King James Authorized version as the only valid English version to use and study:
• https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-king-james-bible-purified-seven.html
• https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-inspirational-history-of-king-james.html

2. Creating False Religions

• False belief systems are crafted to divert people from faith in Jesus Christ. These religions often deny His divine nature, salvation by grace, or His resurrection, offering alternatives that lead people astray.

3. Promoting Doctrinal Divisions

• Sectarianism means dividing believers into rigid groups or "sects" over minor differences, causing unnecessary conflict. For example, disagreements about traditions or secondary theological points may overshadow unity in Christ.
• Extreme views, like rigid legalism (focusing excessively on rules) or liberalism (dismissing core truths), create further confusion and discord.

4. Encouraging Moral Relativism

• This is the belief that "right and wrong" depend on personal feelings or society’s norms, rather than God's absolute truth. By making morality subjective, it undermines the clear teachings of Scripture and leads people away from God’s guidance.

5. Distracting Through Media and Technology

• Social media, TV, and other forms of entertainment can keep people overly occupied and distracted, leaving little time for spiritual growth or connection with God.

6. Diluting the Gospel

• Some teachings emphasize good works or universalism (the belief that everyone is saved regardless of faith), which diminishes the essential truth that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone.

7. Suppressing Biblical Knowledge

• People may become too busy, uninterested, or apathetic to study the Bible, leaving them unaware of its truths and vulnerable to deception.

8. Perpetuating Sinful Lifestyles

• By normalizing behaviours contrary to Scripture, society keeps people bound in sin. For instance, actions once seen as wrong are now widely accepted, making it harder to recognize and turn away from sin.

The Importance of Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

To effectively counter deception and fully understand God’s Word, believers are called to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV). This phrase carries profound meaning and serves as a guiding principle for how we should approach Scripture.

What Does "Rightly Dividing" Mean?

The concept of "rightly dividing" refers to the careful interpretation of Scripture by understanding it in its proper context. This involves recognizing distinctions between dispensations: God’s specific ways of dealing with humanity at different times, such as the Old Testament Law given to Israel versus the grace revealed through the cross of Jesus Christ. This includes the prophetic revelations spoken to and about Israel for the restoration of the earth versus the mystery program revealed by revelation to Paul for the creation and fulfillment of the body of Christ for the restoration of the heavens in God’s full and overarching redemption plan. Additionally, it encompasses understanding the audience and intent, identifying who a passage was originally written for (e.g., Israel or the Gentiles) and interpreting it within the appropriate context.

Rightly dividing helps us see the unity of Scripture while respecting its diversity. For example, some commandments given to ancient Israel under the Mosaic Law do not directly apply to Christians today under the New Covenant. Without understanding these distinctions, misinterpretations can arise, leading to confusion and false doctrine.

Let us embrace the Word of God with humility, seeking wisdom and guidance through prayer and diligent study. As we strive to understand the Bible rightly divided, we equip ourselves with the knowledge and discernment necessary to stand firm against the wiles of the devil. May we diligently seek to understand the Bible in its fullness, guarding against deception and distractions, standing firm in the truth, and walking in faith and obedience, allowing the light of His Word to guide our steps.