Definitions
One of Satan’s most cunning tactics is his ability to play with words. In the Garden, he changed God’s command by adding one word “not” (cp. Genesis 2:17; 3:4). As he tempted Jesus, he took the words of God out of context so he might use them for his purposes (Matthew 4:6-7). In so doing, Satan attempts to redefine God’s Word and to “snatch away” the truth from our hearts (Matthew 13:19).
Satan’s ability to play with Bible truth, alter its message and change basic God given definitions is still alive and well today. He has caused us to downgrade an unborn child by merely referring to it as a “fetus.” Satan’s work has included changing the meaning of “fornication” to the more positive definition of “love” and “homosexuality” to the less emotionally-charged “alternative lifestyle.” Further, “lies” are called “fibs,” “stealing” is a “five-finger discount,” “drunkenness” is “getting tipsy” and “sin” is merely a “lapse of judgment.”
As we change the definition of words to suit our sinful desires, we become Satan’s pawns. Isaiah once warned, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).
Friends, the only way we will know if Satan, and those who do his work, are changing God’s Word is if we know God’s Word itself! Much of society and many in this country are trying to change the definition of marriage. Some leaders in this country are telling us marriage may include homosexual couples. Leaders in foreign countries have discussed the possibility of polygamous marriages. What does God think? Read your Bible and God-approved marriage is defined (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-9).
Some try to change the standards of morality. They do so by calling it by another name or offering justifications for it. God defines sin (1 John 3:4; James 4:17). Further, His Word gives abbreviated lists of sins that were not and are not acceptable to the Almighty Creator who has an intrinsic right to show us how to live (Matthew 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21).
Others are even attacking the definition of “love” and equate it with sexual acts. God never defines “love” in this fashion (John 15:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Stop letting others define words for us and go to God’s own definition book—the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As we do so, “...let God be true, but every man a liar.”
“...the only
way
we will know if
Satan, and those
who do
his work,
are
changing God’s
Word is if we
know
God’s
Word itself!“
February 2009