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Do not underestimate Satan. He knows our Bible better than most Christian scholars. He can quote verses and cleverly deceive the best of us if we do not stay grounded in God’s word. We saw how easily he manipulated Adam and Eve and they had day-to-day conversations with God. This is why we are told to put on the full armour of God.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
Exactly what is the full armour of God that Paul is talking about? Are we to wear armour like the knights of medieval times? It would be nice if it was that simple but this is not the definition of armour spoken of in Ephesians.
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:14-18
What are the pieces of this armour? The first piece of armour is the belt of truth. When preparing for war the men of this time would gather up the skirts of their robes and tuck them under their belts for freedom of movement. The belt symbolizes the truth of the word of God which we should consistently seek. It holds the armour in place. The second piece of armour is the breastplate of righteousness. We are found righteous in God’s eyes upon acceptance of his son as our saviour. The breastplate protects our hearts from the temptations of Satan. It helps us stay true to God’s word. The third armour is our feet. Our feet are a symbol of a movement. If we wholly believe in God’s word, we will gladly spread his gospel (good news) of Salvation through Jesus Christ. The fourth piece of our armour is the shield of faith. Satan through the people of this world will challenge your faith in Jesus. This shield will protect you from the darts (lies and doubt) the world throws at you. The fifth piece of armour is the Helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit. In battle, the helmet protects your head from a fatal blow. This helmet has the same purpose. It protects your head from the thoughts and doubts that Satan puts in your mind, especially during trials of life. The sword is sharp and used to pierce the armour of your enemy in battle. The sword of the Spirit is God’s word. It will rightly divide the truth from lies. Many do not list a sixth piece of armour but I believe that prayer and supplication in the Spirit is a piece of armour. Prayers for others and ourselves through the Holy Spirit brings us closer to God and under his protection.
I mention the full armour of God because it is important in understanding how easily we can be deceived if we are not careful. Satan uses every tool in his toolbox to dilute the word of God. Religions are one of these tools. There are many religions in the world but their beliefs differ vastly from what the Son of God (Jesus) taught. They have the appearance of our beliefs but if you dig deeper they really do not believe the same.
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
2 Timothy 3:5
As the above verse states, some have the form of godliness but deny the power of Jesus. They say they believe in Jesus, but when you dig deeper they do not hold the truth of Jesus as stated in the Bible. Most of these religions have separate books to add to or clarify the Bible according to their founders’ beliefs. The Muslims teach Jesus as being a prophet, not God’s son. Mormons teach that Jesus is not a part of the Holy Trinity but he is a separate being and the Spiritual brother of Satan. They believe that Jesus married the Mary’s and Martha and bore children with them. Also, salvation must be obtained by works and Jesus. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was God’s first creation in Heaven and he is an angel and a separate being from God. Some religions do not even believe there is a Jesus or any divine being.
All these beliefs are contrary to the Bible. We are told that we are not to add or subtract from God’s Word. An additional book to the Bible is clearly in violation of the Bible. We cannot pick and choose what to believe or add additional stipulations.
“Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:6
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2
The Holy Bible tells us that the virgin Mary was impregnated by the Holy Ghost (spirit). Therefore, Jesus is part God and part man. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Jesus is Satan’s spiritual brother nor does it say that Jesus is a mere man that became a prophet of God.
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.” Matthew 1:18-25
What about those who believe that Jesus is not part of the Holy Trinity (three in one)? Remember do not add or subtract from the Bible. God’s word clearly states there is a Holy Trinity. The Word here is Jesus.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7
“I (Jesus) and my Father are one.” John 10:30
Is Jesus the first creation of God? Is he an Angel as some believe? We just proved that Jesus is part of the Holy Trinity and therefore he was present before creation. As part of the Holy Trinity, he is the Alpha and Omega. He has no beginning and no end. When God created man in Genesis he said, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:” Genesis 1:26a. The word “Our” is plural. Angels are a separate creation and were made for the purpose to serve and praising God, messengers, and watching over man. How do we know that angels are separate creations? Psalm 148 answers this question. Everything listed in these verses was created in the first two days of creation. Man was not created until the sixth day. Angels are also invisible and we are told that God created all things visible and invisible.
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.” Psalm 148:1-6
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Colossians 1:16
Some religions might have come to the conclusion that Jesus was an angel because of the reference in Hebrews of him being lower than angels for a little while. However; this does not mean he was an angel. In the Bible, there is a rank of order. At the top is the Godhead (God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit), then angels, and finally humans. While Jesus lived on earth the human side of him brought him a little lower than angels. He had to experience life and all its temptations and hardships because he had to lead by example to reach man. He had to experience death as a man and rise as our Saviour.
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9
Did Jesus marry and bear children by wives? Nowhere in the Bible does it mention that Jesus was married nor that he had children. If Jesus was married or had children he would not have had to make arrangements for his mother when he was crucified. Jesus does give instructions to husbands and wives but he was not married. In fact, Jesus also taught that in some instances it was better to be single when serving God because you would not be distracted from your ministry. Jesus always led by example.
“But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.”
1 Corinthians 7:32-33
Jesus is God’s son and the only means that anyone can enter Heaven. We are saved by his grace and not by works. Salvation is a gift of God.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:11-12
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Satan is very sly and devious. He has led many down the wrong path in his quest for power and his war against God. He has diluted the name of Jesus by using man to devise religions that have a form of godliness but are not Godly. His master plan is confusion. Our defense is the full armour of God, being in God’s word every day to know right from wrong, The word of God is very precise that Jesus is God’s son, he is a part of the Holy Trinity, he is not a mere human, he is not Satan’s spiritual brother, Satan is a fallen angel and Jesus is God’s son, Jesus never married or had children, and Jesus is the only way to Heaven. The Holy Bible is the only true word of God. God is not the author of confusion.
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33
Stand Up for Jesus Christ 