Hello Brethren!
I hope this message finds you well.
You and I, we have a lot of common ground. Since we both hold the Scripture, the Word of God, as our Authority, we are going agree a great deal. Many times, folks focus on the disagreements, then end up parting ways even though they agree 99% of the time -- what a pity.
It seems like it would be fruitful to discuss areas of agreement, in order to strengthen our unity and brotherhood. For example, I think you would agree with the following short article.
Do you see any ways to make this article more clear, more convincing, more biblical? Thanks!
Regards,
Darren
Yes, the Bible quotes Satan, and the quotes are completely accurate. That does not mean we should quote Satan, as if he spoke truthfully. On rare occasions, I have seen quotes from Satan used as a trusted basis for doctrine. Granting the benefit of the doubt, we can assume it was an accident. Rather than refuting those specific arguments, it seems prudent to focus on the basic biblical principle, because it is imperative to consider the source and context of any basis for doctrine.
Satan is a Liar
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The words of Satan are not often quoted in the Bible. That is no surprise. Not only is he a liar, he is the father of lies. His native language is lying.
John 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Acts 5:3 Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost
Every time the Bible does quote the words of Satan, the Bible also proves his words to be false. He is only quoted as an example of lies.
In Genesis chapter three, Adam and Eve took action based on Satan’s deceit, as if it were true, and it resulted in the greatest downfall in all of history.
In Job chapters one and two Satan challenges God regarding Job’s faithfulness, claiming that Job would curse God to His face if certain calamities befell. God allowed Satan to carry out those calamities upon Job. But Job responded to these by worshipping God and never cursed Him. Satan was proved wrong again.
Satan said in Luke 4:5-6 “All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them (all the kingdoms of the world): for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” But Daniel 4:17 says “that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” In John 19:10 Pilate said to Jesus, “Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” Jesus answered, “Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above.” And Romans 13:1 says “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Yet again, Satan was wrong and his words were infected with deceit.
Whenever Satan speaks, there is one guarantee: there is something about what he said that makes it wrong. It may sound like what he is saying is correct. It may contain some truth, like when he quoted Scripture, but only in a twisted, tainted way. This is not a grey area. Satan’s lies are just as black when he misquoted Scripture. He either changed the words, or left out vital context, completely changing it from a truth to a lie. Satan’s intent is to deceive and to corrupt.
Caution
We need to take heed to the scriptural caution. We would not want to place any value on Satan’s polluted words, even those quoted in the Bible, lest it be said of us, “For some are already turned aside after Satan” (1 Timothy 5:15). In this passage, Paul is instructing Timothy about warnings for Christians, so beware!
The verses in the Bible, where Satan is quoted, can really only be used as examples of how the Devil is wanting to lie, tempt, spoil, etc. The Bible does not need to individually and explicitly refute every nuance of Satan’s words, because he is completely censured — he cannot be trusted. Even when there is some defiled truth in the quote, there is no point in attempting to use the truth in those verses by scraping off the defilement. If you think there is a grain of truth in Satan’s words, the only way you can know it is true is if it is taught elsewhere in Scripture. Thus, instead of quoting Satan, simply quote the other Scripture verses where that same truth is already clearly and purely taught.
If I quote Satan as a source of truth, then I am a student of Satan. If my teaching is based on a quote from Satan, then I am encouraging others to be students of Satan.
I hope this message finds you well.
You and I, we have a lot of common ground. Since we both hold the Scripture, the Word of God, as our Authority, we are going agree a great deal. Many times, folks focus on the disagreements, then end up parting ways even though they agree 99% of the time -- what a pity.
It seems like it would be fruitful to discuss areas of agreement, in order to strengthen our unity and brotherhood. For example, I think you would agree with the following short article.
Do you see any ways to make this article more clear, more convincing, more biblical? Thanks!
Regards,
Darren
Yes, the Bible quotes Satan, and the quotes are completely accurate. That does not mean we should quote Satan, as if he spoke truthfully. On rare occasions, I have seen quotes from Satan used as a trusted basis for doctrine. Granting the benefit of the doubt, we can assume it was an accident. Rather than refuting those specific arguments, it seems prudent to focus on the basic biblical principle, because it is imperative to consider the source and context of any basis for doctrine.
Satan is a Liar
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The words of Satan are not often quoted in the Bible. That is no surprise. Not only is he a liar, he is the father of lies. His native language is lying.
John 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Acts 5:3 Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost
Every time the Bible does quote the words of Satan, the Bible also proves his words to be false. He is only quoted as an example of lies.
In Genesis chapter three, Adam and Eve took action based on Satan’s deceit, as if it were true, and it resulted in the greatest downfall in all of history.
In Job chapters one and two Satan challenges God regarding Job’s faithfulness, claiming that Job would curse God to His face if certain calamities befell. God allowed Satan to carry out those calamities upon Job. But Job responded to these by worshipping God and never cursed Him. Satan was proved wrong again.
Satan said in Luke 4:5-6 “All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them (all the kingdoms of the world): for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” But Daniel 4:17 says “that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” In John 19:10 Pilate said to Jesus, “Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” Jesus answered, “Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above.” And Romans 13:1 says “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Yet again, Satan was wrong and his words were infected with deceit.
Whenever Satan speaks, there is one guarantee: there is something about what he said that makes it wrong. It may sound like what he is saying is correct. It may contain some truth, like when he quoted Scripture, but only in a twisted, tainted way. This is not a grey area. Satan’s lies are just as black when he misquoted Scripture. He either changed the words, or left out vital context, completely changing it from a truth to a lie. Satan’s intent is to deceive and to corrupt.
Caution
We need to take heed to the scriptural caution. We would not want to place any value on Satan’s polluted words, even those quoted in the Bible, lest it be said of us, “For some are already turned aside after Satan” (1 Timothy 5:15). In this passage, Paul is instructing Timothy about warnings for Christians, so beware!
The verses in the Bible, where Satan is quoted, can really only be used as examples of how the Devil is wanting to lie, tempt, spoil, etc. The Bible does not need to individually and explicitly refute every nuance of Satan’s words, because he is completely censured — he cannot be trusted. Even when there is some defiled truth in the quote, there is no point in attempting to use the truth in those verses by scraping off the defilement. If you think there is a grain of truth in Satan’s words, the only way you can know it is true is if it is taught elsewhere in Scripture. Thus, instead of quoting Satan, simply quote the other Scripture verses where that same truth is already clearly and purely taught.
If I quote Satan as a source of truth, then I am a student of Satan. If my teaching is based on a quote from Satan, then I am encouraging others to be students of Satan.
