“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” These words are the Lord’s plan for saving man in a “nutshell.” If one wishes to be forgiven of sins, he needs to believe on Christ and be baptized. In a world that teaches that salvation is by “faith only,” or by praying a prayer, etc., let us be satisfied with the words of our Lord on this subject. These words are often called “The Great Commission” because Christ sent His apostles to preach this message to the world (Mk. 16:15). In like manner, we who are Christ’s disciples need to continue spreading the word (II Tim. 2:2). We need to let folks know that in order to be saved, we need to believe on Christ (Jn. 8:24) and be baptized (I Pet. 3:21). Be warned that if we reject Christ’s words, there is no other way to be saved from sin.

- Jarrod Jacobs

Lies The Devil Tells

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Satan has many lies that he tells people (Jn. 8:44). We have studied several of these lies in earlier articles. One very common lie justifies sin by saying, “It is acceptable/legal in society.”

            This popular lie allows society to determine what is correct or incorrect. Of course, we see many things that society accepts that are unacceptable with God. For instance, homosexuality is accepted in society, though the Bible says it is a sin (Rom. 1:26-27; I Cor. 1:9-11). Society allows a man and woman to divorce for any cause, even though the Bible does not allow this (Matt. 5:32, 19:9). Fornication is portrayed in society as acceptable and “loving”, but God says that sexual relations are only acceptable in the marriage relationship (Heb. 13:4). Society also accepts such things as gambling (or lotteries), drinking alcohol, smoking, immodest dress, etc. We must never base our decision to do right or wrong simply because it is “legal.”

            Doesn’t it make sense that as society gets worse and worse, our laws will change, and things once illegal will become legal? However, God’s word will never change (Ps. 119:89)!!

            The Bible makes it clear that we must do what is right regardless of what society accepts or legalizes! For example, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Ex. 23:2). Further, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (I Thess. 5:22). Peter said, “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11). Jesus said that there are only two ways to live this life — the broad way or the strait and narrow way (Matt. 7:13-14). Let us obey Christ regardless of what society does or does not accept!

Lies The Devil Tells

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Satan has many lies that he tells people (Jn. 8:44). “It does not bother my conscience” is a lie used to justify sins. Put another way, “Let your conscience be your guide” is the advice given to many when faced with a questionable situation. While this can be good advice, remember our conscience can be trained not to bother us when we sin. The Bible tells us that our conscience can be “seared” (I Tim. 4:1-2) or “defiled” (Titus 1:15-16). Would a “defiled” conscience be a very good guide?

            Before he became a Christian, Paul was with those who stoned Stephen and consented to his death (Acts 7:58, 8:1). Paul found Christians and put them in prison for being Christians (Acts 8:3). Acts 9:1-2 reveals that his trip to Damascus was to obtain more authority to persecute the Christians. He declared that he wasted the church and was more zealous than his fathers in doing so (Gal. 1:13-14). Then, as Paul looked back on his life, he said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). Did Paul’s conscience bother him as he consented to the death of Stephen, or as he took Christians and tried to get them to blaspheme the Savior (Acts 26:11)? No! Friends, our conscience cannot be the standard for judging right from wrong in every situation.

            Friend, when we sin, we will be held accountable for sin regardless of whether or not it bothered our conscience! Let us follow God’s word as our only standard of authority. When we justify sin by our conscience, we are falling for one of the Devil’s lies!

Lies The Devil Tells

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Satan has many lies that he tells people (I Pet. 5:8). Unfortunately, many have listened to his lies to justify sin and error. Let us study another lie Satan tells us.

            Some justify themselves by falling for the lie that says, “There are others doing worse.” How many times have we heard this? Perhaps our children have said this to excuse their behavior. Did you accept it from them? Would we accept this excuse in any other area of life? Why then would we expect God to accept this excuse? While we may categorize sin, God does not. He says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek. 18:20). He says that our sin (all sin) will separate us from Him (Isa. 59:1-2)! Remember King Omri (I Kings 16:23-26)? The Bible records that he was the most sinful king up to that time in the history of Israel. Since this was true, did Omri’s sins justify past kings who were “not as evil” as Omri? Of course, not! Saying we are “not as bad” as someone else is not a wise comparison (II Cor. 10:12).

            Our standard today is the word of God. We must speak by the word of God (I Pet. 4:11). It will make us complete (II Tim. 3:16-17), allow us to grow (Heb. 5:12-14), and one day will be our standard in the Judgment (Jn. 12:48). The Bible reveals that we will be judged based upon what we have done (Ecc. 12:13-14), not on what someone else has or has not done that makes us look better! Let us not fall for a lie that we would not accept from anyone else!

Lies The Devil Tells

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Satan has many lies that he tells people (I Pet. 5:8). Let us study two more lies Satan tells us.

            Satan lies by telling us that we “deserve” this or that. In the beginning, Satan deceived Eve by planting that “seed” of a lie (Gen. 3:4-5). A host of sins are committed today because people think they “deserve” this or that. In truth, we ought to be thankful that we do not get what we deserve!

            We “deserve” separation from God (Isa. 59:1-2), not His fellowship (II Jn. 9). We “deserve” God’s wrath (Rom. 3:23), not His mercy (Jn. 3:16). We “deserve” dying in our sins, not Jesus dying for our sins (Matt. 20:28). Let us never get so high-minded as to think that what we have received from God is what we “deserve”!

            Another lie says, “It is for a good cause.” No, the end does not justify the means! Sin is still sin no matter what the reason! One of Satan’s most potent lies is getting men to justify sin by looking for a possible “good side.” The Bible teaches that folks were punished when they committed sin for a supposed “good cause” (II Sam. 6:6-7).

            Paul told the Romans that some had “slanderously reported” that he had said, “let us do evil that good may come” (Rom. 3:8). The end does not justify the means! When God reveals His will, He expects it to be followed exactly. We cannot make sin righteous by saying that sin was “for a good cause.” We are not at liberty to devise our own plans. Friend, do not fall for Satan’s lies!