How did Satan learn the scriptures? We say "even Satan knew the Bible" since he tempted Jesus by misusing the scriptures. How did he learn them to begin with? -- Tracie L. Lee (Atlanta)
This question invites my utter speculation! Where to begin? Satan's interest in the scriptures is not spiritual, but solely for the purpose of turning others away from his archenemy, who is our Lord and Savior. I don't think that when we say that Satan knows the Bible, we mean to say that he has it all committed to memory, or that he understands every passage. Far from it! In fact, Satan quotes very little scripture in the Word itself. Yet as his aim is to get us to leave God, to reject his sovereign reign in our lives, it is to Satan's advantage to interfere with our biblical understanding. How might he do that?
* He might persuade us to neglect reading at all. (This can happen to disciples, and some are sucked in by this tactic.)
* He might convince us that our opinions are not worth re-examining. (We end up reading to find confirmation of what we already believe.)
* He might tell us that we don't need to "interpret" the Bible, that all passages are clear and "mean what they say." (This approach makes lazy students of us all! After all, everyone interprets--comes to an understanding of what a passage is saying--and none of us is an infallible interpreter.)
* He might diabolically lead us to doubt God's word. (Instead of it being that the more we read, the stronger our faith is, rather the more we read, the more questions and qualms pop into our heads.)
* He might allow us to read fully and deeply, but entice us to keep our beliefs to ourselves if they are not "politically correct." (Thus we end up thinking one thing while living another--a sort of Orwellian "doublethink.")
* He might allow us to be drawn to those who twist the scriptures--false Christians or false prophets. See 2 Peter 2:1-3, 3:16. (As long as we are content to let them do our thinking for us, we are vulnerable, liable to be blown about by "every wind of teaching.")
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