Every day we are presented with many choices. The clothes we wear, the food we eat, the work tasks we engage, the friends and family we contact, how we help others, etc. One choice we are unable to make ourselves is to be chosen by God.[1] He makes the choice, not us. However, we are able to choose to reject[2] His call and ignore His Word — with potentially disastrous eternal consequences.
The devil loves to interfere with the choices we make. He convinced Adam and Eve to doubt God’s Word[3] and choose to eat the forbidden fruit, commencing the Fall of God’s creation. The devil hasn’t changed since those beginning days, he’s still a murderer and continues to lie and deceive God’s chosen.[4] His preference is to lie and deceive and lead us to an eternal death.
If we choose to read God’s Word[5] or choose not to read it, what is the devil’s preference?
If we choose to read God’s Word through a reliable language translation that’s understandable[6] or choose to read an incomprehensible translation, what is the devil’s preference?
If we choose to comprehend God’s Word according to His meaning or choose to comprehend it according to our own interpretation,[7] what is the devil’s preference?
If we choose to listen to the Holy Spirit through His Word[8] or choose to listen to spirits untethered to His Word,[9] what is the devil’s preference?
If we choose to heed the Word-driven insights of gifted faithful servants[10] or choose to disregard them, what is the devil’s preference?
If we choose to follow God’s commandments[11] or choose to follow the whimsy of our emotional hearts,[12] what is the devil’s preference?
If we continue to believe in His Word (through His gifts[13]) or choose to ignore His Word, what is the devil’s preference?
When you make daily choices, do you choose the guidance revealed through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit or do you choose to be in cahoots with the devil?[14] Can you offer more examples of choosing between light and darkness?[15] Please reply below.
[1] A Catechism According to God’s Word. Anonomously published by the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Congregations of North America without copyright. The Apostles’ Creed, The Third Article, What is meant by this: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him: but that the Holy Ghost has called me through and by the Gospel…” See also The Augsburg Confession, Article XVIII (Freedom of the Will).
[2] “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts 7:51)
[3] Genesis 3:1
[4] John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:3
[5] 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Proverbs 18:15
[6] “…each one was hearing them speak in his own language.” (Acts 2:4-6) See also the history regarding Luther’s Bible translation into the language of the common people.
[7] 2 Peter 1:19-22, Judges 21:25
[8] Catechism, The Augsburg Confession, Article V.
[9] Ephesians 2:1-3, 1 John 4:1
[10] See Athanasius, Martin Luther, etc.
[11] John 14:15
[12] Jeremiah 7:24, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:18-19
[13] 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
[14] A quote from 1950s era preacher, Dr. A. Benhart Salmela, is often heard in Church [16] sermons: “The brain is in cahoots with the devil.” The quote is used to deride any attempt to read or learn from Scripture. It was understood to mean that is was wrong to use God’s gift of reason[17] to study the Bible.
[15] 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
[16] Finnish Independent Apostolic Lutheran Congregations (I.A.L.C.)
[17] Catechism, The Apostles’ Creed, First Article, What is meant by this: “I believe that God has created me and all that exists; that He has given me and still sustains my soul and body, all my limbs and senses, my reason and all the faculties of my mind…”