Satan Is Lying, Even When He Tells The Truth – Sunday Thought For The Day

On the first page of the preface for the book, The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis writes: “Readers are advised to remember that the devil is a liar.”  I add to that, every word from the devil’s mouth is by definition a lie.  That includes even when he says something true.  The reason being, Satan will only speak truth if it can be twisted to lead people astray, especially Christians.

A perfect example of my point is the satanic idea: “You don’t have to go to church to worship God.”  It’s absolutely true.  You don’t have to go to church to worship God.  The truth is, we’re to worship God whether we’re in church or not.  Worshipping God is only one reason for going to church, the fact that God’s Word says we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together notwithstanding.

We attend church to participate in the worshipping God, as well as for fellowship with the family of believers, and too witness and participate in the praise and work of the Lord that takes place in the House of God.

Keep in mind, the primary reason Thomas doubted the Lord Jesus had appeared to the other disciples is because, he alone was absent when all of the others were assembled together after the resurrection.  Thomas missed the Lord’s appearance and presentation of Himself to all of the other disciples, because he wasn’t there!  We don’t doubt that Thomas was afraid and hiding, that’s not the point.  The point is even though the other disciples were fearful of the Jews – they gathered together with the doors closed, i.e., they hid together to comfort and assure one another.  It’s also worth noting that minus Thomas, all of the other disciples who had been with Jesus when He was alive, where gathered together on the evening of their first day of the week, which is our Sabbath Day.

It’s true, you done’t have to go to church to worship God; but consider what Thomas missed by not being with the others.  Also, consider the important fact that by not being with the others, Thomas not only missed the miracle, and the prayers; but he also quickly forgot that Christ has assured them many times while yet alive that He would arise from the grave and exit the tomb on the third day.  Thomas forgetting that, opened himself to the doubt by which he is known and identified.

By not attending church, we miss the testimonies of other believers, we miss the presence of the Holy Spirit and we miss the whole of the worship service.  Like Thomas, we very quickly forget the truth of God.  David worshipped God while in cave, but who is prepared to argue worshipping God alone in that cave was more desirable to David than worshipping God in the Temple and with other followers of God?

Satan is a liar and we disobey God when we believe and/or listen to anything the devil says.  God does not overlook disobedience just because we fall prey to the lies and deceit of Satan.  It is with bold disobedience that a person believes themself to be exempt from that which God requires of all other believers.

Read

Hebrews 10:21-25 KJV

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.