Let the devils tremble

"Context matters". It shouldn't be a controversial statement. It shouldn't even be a written statement. Anyone who doesn't know that context matters needs to return to primary school, because somehow, they missed a vital life lesson. But in our world, it seems a good 75-80% of the human race did, indeed, miss this lesson.

I remember many years ago, one girl was thrilled when I explained the context of James 5:12. Her mother had always used it as a condemnation against the word "maybe". This always annoyed her, so when I pointed out that not only is it a commandment not to add anything to your yes and no, not a commandment to either say yes or no, but the very same book suggests a firm yes, not knowing the will of God, is, in fact, very foolish, and so "maybe", or more accurately "if the Lord wills" (James 4:15), is the most logical response. "Oh my gosh, thank you!", she exclaimed.

But why did my friend need me to explain, after so many years, what she could oh so easily have read in a few minutes? James is a mere 5 chapters long. Checking the context of that one little verse is so unbelievably easy, it could have been done entirely by accident, if only she'd studied the word of God.

In general, studying the word of God has a great many benefits. It gives understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130), and in so doing, makes them wiser than their enemies, their teachers, and the ancients (Psalm 119:97-100). When we study the word of God, we receive communication from an omniscient source. This not only allows us to easily put verses like James 5:12 into context, but also to defend ourselves from the devil's lies.

Silly little mistakes like "the Bible says we shouldn't say maybe" aren't likely to push you into the pit of Hell. In fact, every Christian in the world makes larger mistakes than that. No one is perfect; the Apostles themselves, at least on occasion, needed a public rebuke (e.g. Galatians 2:11). But there are larger mistakes. Fatal heresies designed to tempt us to sin, and even turn from the faith. There are false teachings, brought in by ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing. In his epistle to the Corinthians, Paul goes as far as to say "But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

The devil and his ministers can look very convincing. They can look like Christians, even like angels, and we know they are only too adept at twisting God's word. But James tells us they also tremble (James 2:19). Devils fear God, knowing what He is capable of. Thus, when we study His word, they will likewise tremble at us. When we submit to God in resistance to the devil himself, he flees (James 4:7). So what will his ministers do when we resist them in like manner? When liars twist the word of God, what will they do when we put it back in context? They will flee, knowing that even their most convincing lies will fail to convince those who hold to the truth.

I remember hearing a saying that I hope I can live up to: Be the kind of person that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the devil laments "oh no, he's up". Those who study the word of God are bold in the face of his lies. His fieriest arrows splinter like twigs, and are doused like a candle in the ocean. Those who seek to lie to you should look at you and wonder "if I twist this verse, will he embarrass me again?" And that fear should be 100% justified. As Paul tells us, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). There is no substitute for a diligent study of the word, and in a world where you can have a Bible in your pocket for free, there is no excuse for lack of it.