Compassing Light

Can you trust the Bible?

If you can't then why does the devil work so hard to undermine the Bible's message?

To state a few ways the devil is working to undermine the Bible.

• To cause doubt.
  • The devil will use doubt to make people  disbelieve the Bible. 
  • The devil will use doubt to cause people to rationalize what is written in the Bible .
    • To say that one sin is not as bad as another.

• To get people to compromise.
  • The devil will tempt us to compromise with what the Bible says.
    • The Bible says don't steal so we "borrow" instead.
    • The Bible says don't lie so we exaggerate  instead.
    • The Bible says don't murder so we hate and slander instead.

• To cause people to ignore or dismiss the Bible.
  • If we don't read the Bible, then we don't have to obey God by following what the Bible says.
  • If we want to do something the Bible clearly states is wrong, we dismiss the Bible as out of date or not relevant.

• To cause people to misinterpret the Bible.
  • More people have suffered or died because of misinterpreted scripture.
    • People justify all manner of sinful behavior because they choose to read the Bible in a way that suits their desire.

It is important to remember that the devil wants everyone one to suffer and join him in hell.

The devil has been very successful playground for the modern church.

• Churches and denominations have, in an effort to appear relevant and in tune with the times have
  • Turned themselves into social clubs, where the main concern is to make everyone 'feel' good about themselves rather than teaching people how to live as God intended.
  • Some sin is no longer considered sin because the church doesn't want to appear intolerant.
  • God's Word is no longer the standard by which all things can be judged.
  • Jesus' name is rarely used because the church doesn't want to offend other religions.

Why did God give us the Bible?

• To reveal Himself to us.  To create a relationship with us.
• He has revealed Himself in three ways.
  • His creation
    • Our world and Universe.
  • Our Conscience .
    • It is normal and nature to seek out the one Who made us.
  • The Word of God
    • The Bible.

2 Tim 3:16 (All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, )

• Scripture is inspired by God to reveal Himself to us.

Rom 1: 18-20 ( For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.   Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;)

• The Bible isn't all about doom and gloom and punishment.  But to say that the Bible is all about "feel good" messages and no consequences for our actions is equally wrong.

• His creation our world, the universe, everything in fact, is a testimony or sign post telling us "Made by God"

God has given us a conscience to want to know Him.

Ecc 3:11 (He has made everything beautiful in its time; also he has put eternity into man's mind, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.)

• God put a desire to know Him in to mankind.
  • Unfortunately we often look to other things to be a substitute  for God.
    • Addictions to: Drugs, money, sex and power.
    • Idle worship didn't die out with modern times we still have our own idles today.

God gave us Jesus

John 1:1, 4, 5 (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.   The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. )

• Jesus is the only way to God.

What is the Bible?

• It is our final authority.

• It is the Word of God or does it contain the words of God.
  • If the Bible merely contains God's word then some parts of the Bible are NOT the word of God.
    • If this were true then which parts are God's Word and which parts are not.
    • Who would decide?
      • Would you trust a panel of scholars?
      • Would want to decide for yourself?
    • Anything we don't like surely must not be God's Word and we should have the freedom to
      • Dismiss it.
      • Ignore it .
      • Compromise with it.
  • The Bible IS God's Word.
    • As 2 Timothy 3:16 states.  All scripture is inspired by God.
      • If it is in the Bible, God wanted it there.

• How can you know it is true?
  • Consistency.
    • 1 Peter 1:25 (but the word of the Lord abides for ever." That word is the good news which was preached to you. )
    • Psalm 119:89 (For ever, O LORD, thy word is firmly fixed in the heavens.)
  • Authorship.
    • While the Bible being a collection of books and letters has many human authors they were all inspired by the same God to pen His message.
    • The subject is salvation for mankind.
    • The theme is Jesus.  Only Jesus can bring us to God.
  • Authority.
    • The authors of the various books claim their writings were from God.
    • Jesus validated these claims by quoting scripture and  teaching scripture to those who would listen.

• Is the Bible credible? 
  • Yes.

• And how can we know this?
  • By fulfilled prophecy.
    • No prophecy written in the Bible has ever proven to be wrong
  • It is historically accurate.
    • While not every historical event and place have been proven by independent sources, no independent source has contradicted what was written in the Bible.
      • There is independent validation for significant portion of the events and places mentioned in the Bible.
  • The Bible is scientifically accurate.
    • It is a popular myth that the Bible and science are incompatible. Nothing could be further from the truth.
      • Since the Bible was not written as a science text, science is not directly written about. 
      • However, observations written about in the Bible about the nature, the earth and human beings are proven to be scientifically accurate.

Does the Bible Change Lives?

• Psalm 119:9 (How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word. )
  • Following God's Word will change you.

• Rom 15:4 (For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.)
  • The Bible gives us hope and will comfort you.

• Psalm 119:28 (My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to thy word! )
  • The Bible gives us strength and encouragement.

• 1 John 5:13 (I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.)
  • The Bible will confirm your salvation when you believe.