Chapter 7
There are no new points of analogy in chapter seven.
Chapter 8
The Desire for the Little one’s Approval
Adam’s desire for the little ones’ approval represents our desire to be respected by the world. Especially, in our culture, in the academic/scientific community. We can’t stand the thought that smart people would laugh at us or think of us as primitive or foolish. We want to be respected. Very often, Christian writers compromise faithfulness to God’s Word in order to be taken seriously by the academic world.
But it should be no surprise to us that the world thinks us foolish. They think the same thing about God. The cross is foolishness to them. The wisest, most beautiful act of salvation God ever performed is, in their eyes, a dumb idea.
We can win the world’s favor, or we can have God’s favor—but not both.
Chapter 9
The Eye Salve
The eye-salve represents naturalism (the belief that only the physical world exists).
Later in the story Adam discovers that the salve gives him great near vision, but terrible distance vision. People who think only physical things exist can see what’s right in front of their faces (this physical world) but are utterly blind to everything else. In the words of 2 Peter 1:9 “they have become nearsighted and blind.”
Chapter 10
There are no new points of analogy in chapter ten.
Chapter 8 Questions
EXCERPT
| “Fruit is outlawed in the high country,” Alexander said. “Outlawed? Why? How do they live without eating?” -p.77 |
QUESTION 1:
Sometimes it seems like satisfaction would be impossible without the pleasure of some enticing sin. In moments like that, how could Isaiah 55:1—2 and Psalm 63:3 help you?
MY ANSWER:
Isiah 55 reminds me that the thing my soul thinks is bread (satisfying food) is not bread and will not satisfy. And the thing that is guaranteed to satisfy is available—for free. But only to the hungry.
Ps.63 reminds me that what God offers is better than that thing I feel like I have to have—or anything else in life.
QUESTION 2:
How could Proverbs 5:3—4 help you?
By reminding me that the sin that seems so attractive will turn bitter in my stomach and lead to death.
EXCERPT
| “So, what’s inside the cottage?” “Nothing. I have been through every square inch of that old shack, and I assure you, it is an interesting historical site—nothing more. The uneducated fill the vacancy of the place with contrived fantasies. With a little reading, one grows beyond such stupidity.” -p.77 |
QUESTION 3:
Secular scholars strive to portray the Bible as a mere historical document, of human origin, no different from any other piece of literature. What claims does the Bible make about its origin? See 2 Peter 1:20–21; 2 Timothy 3:16. What claims does it make about its effect on the human soul? See Psalm 19:7–10, 2 Timothy 3:17, Hebrews 4:12.
MY ANSWER:
The Bible claims to be divine, rather than human in origin. It revives the soul and brings renewal and joy. It thoroughly equips a person for every good work, and it discerns the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
QUESTION 4:
Does God call us to blind faith or evidence—based faith? See John 14:11; Acts 1:3; John 20:27. What are some other evidences that support your faith in Christ?
MY ANSWER:
Scripture always calls us to evidence-based faith, never blind faith. Blind faith is superstition, and it’s irrational. God always offers compelling reasons to believe what he says.
Other proofs, beyond Jesus’ miracles, include fulfilled biblical prophecy and my own experiences with God.
EXCERPT:
| Adam cringed when the men snickered. To be thought a fool by such a venerable council mortified him. Though he did not know them, he craved their approval. -p.78 |
QUESTION 5
It’s good to win the respect of outsiders by our good lives (1 Thessalonians 4:12). But at what point does people–pleasing become evil? See 1 Thessalonians 2:4 and Galatians 1:10. Gives some practical examples of what the right and wrong kind might look like.
MY ANSWER:
There is a vestige of the image of God imprinted on the human soul that enables even unbelievers to appreciate righteousness to a degree. Most people like a person who is honest, kind, selfless, responsible, and compassionate. In any situation where the world appreciates the good, we should win their respect. We should be known as hard workers, good employees, good employers, people of integrity, generous, etc. But whenever winning their favor requires unrighteousness, then we must have their disfavor.
For example, the people at work who value a strong work ethic should look up to us because we work hard. But lazy employees might hate us because our hard work exposes their laziness. Or when a group begins to gossip, if they are gossiping about George, George will respect us if he learns that we refused to join in the gossip and stood up for him. But at the same time, the gossip circle might dislike us because we refused to join in.
QUESTION 6
What are some areas where you need to be on guard against people–pleasing in your life? (Do you pretend to be better than you are? Is there someone whose approval means more to you than God’s? Peer pressure? Are you crippled by criticism? Are there areas where you tempted with sin to have someone’s approval? Do you measure your worth by human feedback? Do you fear the mockery or disdain of those who see Christianity as superstitious or primitive?)
MY ANSWER:
Of the examples listed, the one I’m most prone to is measuring my worth by human feedback. Part of the way a man knows whether God is calling him to preach is by the affirmation of God’s people that he has the gift of teaching. So it’s appropriate for me to pay attention to whether the saints are affirming my gift. But too often my joy is tied to whether or not people affirm me. My joy should come from God’s love, not my effectiveness in ministry.
Chapter 9 Questions
| He placed his hand over Adam’s face, pressing the gel into his eyes. Then a whole new world opened before him. … “It’s all so clear. I can see every contour on every pebble. I can see … everything!” … The miraculous close-up vision from the salve had so enthralled him that he hadn’t noticed the damage to his distant vision. –pp.82, 107 |
QUESTION 1
Unbelievers are people whose portion is in this life (Psalm 17:14). They live as if only the physical world existed and ignore eternal realities. Are there any instances when you find yourself living that way?
MY ANSWER:
- Finances—anxiety level determined by bank account rather than God’s promises and the wealth, generosity, and love of my heavenly Father.
2. My emotions when people mistreat me when I’m doing what’s right. I often forget all about eternal reward, so instead of shouting for joy, I’m all upset.
3. When I assess my day. I feel like it was a good day when I got a lot of temporal tasks done, regardless of what happened spiritually. Or I feel like it was a bad day when I didn’t get anything done, but there was spiritual growth through trials.
4. When I define myself by my career instead of by God’s love.
5. When I’m tempted with “small,” seemingly inconsequential sins and don’t take them seriously because they don’t have any significant effect on the world around me that I can see.
QUESTION 2
Living as though eternal things don’t exist is nearsightedness in the extreme. According to 2 Peter 1:5–9, what negative outcomes can result when a Christian becomes nearsighted?
QUESTION 3
What is an example of how forgetting about eternal realities can result in lacking one of the virtues of verses 5–7?
QUESTION 4
The objections people raise against the Bible are often rooted in anger over painful hardships or losses in their life rather than from honest intellectual questions. What is the proper response to loss and hardship in our lives? See Amos 4:6–12 (note which phrase keeps recurring); Proverbs 19:3.
MY ANSWER:
It should turn us to the Lord. In Amos, God kept sending loss after loss and problem after problem to get them to turn back to him. The genuineness of faith is revealed by whether trouble pushes us toward God or away from God. When times are hard, you naturally run toward whatever you truly trust in.
QUESTION 5
Anger at God can have a devastating effect on faith. What can we learn from Job’s example about how to avoid getting angry or disappointed with God? See Job 1:21–22, 2:10. See also Deuteronomy 32:4.
MY ANSWER:
Becoming angry at God requires believing that God did something wrong. The reveals a fundamentally flawed conception of who God is. Dt.32:4 is clear that God does no wrong. He only does good and is therefore worthy of our worship whether that good causes us pain or not.
EXCERPT
|
“The so–called Ruler claims to have power over life and death, but he did nothing to save him. I begged him to at least give me a reason, but he wouldn’t say a word.” –p.84 |
QUESTION 6
What does Scripture teach about people who require an explanation from God for what he has done? See Isaiah 45:9.
MY ANSWER:
Woe to them. It is a serious thing to quarrel with one’s Maker.
That is not to say it’s wrong to ask God for an explanation. We can ask for whatever we want. And sometimes God answers prayers like that. But there is a huge difference between asking God if he will show you a reason and requiring a reason before you will trust him. If we only trust when we can see, that’s not trusting. It’s seeing.
QUESTION 7
Considering the context in Job 1:9–12; why was it important that Job not know the reason for his suffering?
MY ANSWER:
The book of Job is launched by Satan’s claim that Job only worships God because God essentially buys him off by blessing him so much. Remove the blessing, and Job would curse God. S the question being dealt with in the book is this: Is God worthy to be worshipped even if he withholds blessing? God wants to prove the answer is yes, while Satan wants to prove the answer is no.
If Job had known all this, it wouldn’t be a fair test. Job might have chosen to worship God, not because of God’s worthiness, but simply because he wanted the test to turn out a certain way. The only way Job’s continued worship of God shows God’s absolute worthiness is if Job doesn’t know what’s going on, and his only options are to curse God or trust God.
QUESTION 8
Later, when Job did begin to question God’s justice and demand answers from God, the Lord answered him, but not with an explanation of his reasons. What did God tell Job instead? See Job 38:1–11 and following. How does God’s response in chapters 38–41 help us in times when we desire an explanation for why God allowed what he allowed?
MY ANSWER
God’s response is essentially to say to Job, “I think I’m doing an okay job running the universe without your input.” By reminding Job of the unfathomable power and wisdom required to create to universe, God was showing him how irrational it is for Job to question him or imagine that Job had a better idea of how things should go.
Those chapters have helped me in some of my lowest and most excruciating moments. They have a way of expanding our perspective, expanding our concept of God, and enabling us to trust him. Those chapters are basically God’s resume as Caretaker. And it’s a very impressive resume.
EXCERPT
|
“So your desire for fruit was part of your reason for leaving?” |
QUESTION 9
Another motive that often hides behind intellectual arguments against Christianity is love for a particular sin. Often those who walk away from the faith do so because of a driving desire for freedom to indulge in some cherished vice. See John 3:19–20. Can you think of a period in your life when something in Scripture didn’t make sense to you or you rejected what you now understand as a correct interpretation, and you see now that the reason you were resistant to it was because of the implications it would have on your life?
MY ANSWER:
When I was a teenager, I questioned my salvation because, as committed as I was to God, I had no feelings for God that seemed like love to me. Then I heard a preacher say that agape love doesn’t involve emotion. It’s merely commitment and obedience to God. I ate that teaching up, because I felt commitment was something I could do, whereas having emotions for God seemed out of reach. The idea that love didn’t involve emotion was a doctrine I loved because it fit my personality.
Eventually, many years later, I realized Scripture calls for all kinds of emotional responses. It took way too long for me to come to accept that, and the reason it took that long was my love for the wrong doctrine kept me from accepting the truth.
Chapter 10 Questions
EXCERPT
|
Just as he turned away, blood-curdling screams pierced the air. But they were not a child’s screams. It was one of the mountain lions. |
QUESTION 1
Ephesians 6:12,17 describes our struggle against demons in terms of wrestling and close combat with a dagger. What is the role of our knowledge of and skill in the use of Scripture in spiritual warfare?
MY ANSWER
When I can’t call to mind a passage of Scripture that speaks to the situation I’m dealing with, or if I misinterpret or misapply Scripture, I’m likely to suffer spiritual failure in that situation. Even Jesus, who was perfect, used Scripture to battle temptation.
QUESTION 2
What kind of spiritual battle might be lost by someone who knows Scripture but is unskilled in the use of it?
MY ANSWER
If someone at work belittles me and I’m tempted with pride or anger, I will be likely to lose that spiritual battle if I don’t have the knowledge and skill with God’s Word to recall what Jesus taught about greatness (namely, that what matters is God’s approval of me, not man’s).
QUESTION 3
What can we learn about fighting temptation from Jesus’ skilled use of Scripture in Matthew 4:3—11? (Note the context of the passages Jesus quotes. What similarities existed between the context of the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6 and Jesus’ in Matthew 4?)
MY ANSWER
Jesus’ use of Scripture was masterful. Off the top of his head he pulled up passages, from memory, that fit the context perfectly. In Dt.6, the Israelites were hungry, in the desert, being tested. And Jesus quotes that in a moment when he is hungry, in the desert, being tempted.
And the sin the Israelites were being tempted to commit was to think their lives depended on getting food more than on the Word of God. Jesus was facing the same temptation.
QUESTION 4
What can we learn from Apollos’ skilled use of Scripture in Acts 18:24—25,28? (See also 1 Peter 3:15.)
MY ANSWER
We learn that it can be done. It’s possible to prove from the Old Testament that Jesus is the Messiah.
We also learn the importance of boldness and fervor. It’s not just a matter of accuracy.
Thirdly, we learn from his example of readiness. As 1 Peter 3:15 requires, he was ready with answers when the circumstances called for them
EXCERPT
Then with a deafening roar, the bear charged from behind, hitting Kailyn with such force the dagger flew from her hands. The beast pinned her to the ground with its paw. … Kailyn ceased her hopeless struggle. Her eyes showed discouraged resignation to her fate. –pp.87-88
QUESTION 5
How might the enemy use the principle in 1 Corinthians 1:17 to strip you of your power?
MY ANSWER:
By tempting me to add human wisdom to it. I might want to add life lessons I’ve learned, things I’ve read that really impacted me, problem solving techniques that have worked for me, great ideas that pop into my head, psychological observations I’ve made over the years, or strong opinions I hold to the gospel.
All of those can be helpful in how I apply the message from God’s Word, but when I make those things themselves the message, I ruin the truth of God’s Word. It only takes a little arsenic to ruin a whole glass of water and make it useless for drinking.
Pastors are often guilty of this. They read plenty of verses in their sermons, but the main points–the parts of the sermon that provide the solutions to the problems or the “how-to” often come not from the text of Scripture, but from their own reservoir of knowledge, life experience, lessons from their last vacation, or something they read in a book.
Lay people are also guilty of this when we turn to human wisdom rather than Scripture for the solutions to our problems.
QUESTION 6
How might Satan knock the sword of the Spirit from your grasp?
MY ANSWER
A) Through doubt. If I know the truth but don’t fully believe it, it’s not really in my grasp. To utilize it as a sword, my soul must be fully convinced in the truth of it.
B) If I can’t call to mind the passage I need in the moment I need it, I might as well not have it. So often I know truths like the back of my hand most of the time, but in the moment when it’s most needed, it doesn’t come to mind.
C) When you believe God has promised something that he hasn’t really promised, and it doesn’t pan out, you can end up doubting all of God’s Word.
QUESTION 7
Read 1 Peter 5:8. What are lions trying to accomplish when they roar? What insight does that provide regarding Satan’s strategies with us?
MY ANSWER
They roar to intimidate and paralyze you. Satan tries to make you think you’re helpless to resist him. God promises that you can’t be tempted beyond your ability to resist. But if Satan can convince you that’s not true, that this temptation is more than you can handle, you will give in.
EXCERPT
| The boy took up another of Kailyn’s toys—a small, wooden hammer—and placed it in her hand while dodging the bear’s deadly swipes. But she did not close her hand around the hammer. When the boy let go, it dropped to the ground. … Once again managed to place the hammer in Kailyn’s hand. This time he pressed it into her palm, forcing her fingers around the handle, and shouting, “Take it!”’” –p.88 |
QUESTION 8
How might one go about doing what Jonathan did in 1 Samuel 23:16? Be specific.
MY ANSWER
Make a significant effort. Jonathan traveled, presumably for days through rough country and risked his relationship with his father (which meant risking his life), not to fight a war or obtain some treasure, but to simply give a word of encouragement. How far out of my way am I willing to go just to attempt to strengthen someone’s hand in the Lord?
Remind the person of God’s promises (see verse 17). It takes some work to find the promises in Scripture that will apply to that person’s situation. I need to do that work. Then I need to trust the power of God’s Word to strengthen the person. Nothing in God’s Word is a platitude.
QUESTION 9
Can you share a specific story of when someone did this for you (put the Word back into your hand when you faltered)?
MY ANSWER
Once when I was very sick, and, I believed, close to death, my dad prayed for me and in his prayer quoted the verse “you are touched by the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15). The comfort I felt from that in that moment was so moving it almost made me glad I was sick. Such a simple truth yet touched me in a profound way that I’ve never forgotten.
Another time I was crushed with guilt over a devastating failure and my sister sent me a card with a picture of Jesus holding up a man who was limp in his arms, and the man was holding a hammer. The hands with which Jesus held him up had nail marks. There was no caption, no words. Just an image portraying a basic gospel truth—Jesus saving a man who had pounded the nails into Jesus on the cross. It moved me to the core. I just sat and looked at that picture and wept for a long time. It was one of the most healing moments of my life.
Here’s a link to the image: https://pin.it/K6a2jpm
In both cases, the truth that was conveyed was very simple. God has compassion on our suffering, and Jesus died for my sins. But the Holy Spirit used the timing and the form in which they were delivered to me to perform powerful results in my heart.
QUESTION 10
Ask God if there is anyone in your circle who might need you to do this for them at this time. Then give it a shot. Even if you’re not very confident, what’s the worst that could happen?
Ch. 10, Q 9. Just wanted to say that the examples you provided Darrell are simply beautiful and very encouraging. Thank you.
I really appreciate the opportunity to post here quotes from the book that were impactful. Going back over the allegories is very helpful for me.
p. 66 – “The wind had stopped, so his natural impulse was to run full speed to the city – the only place of safety he knew.”
p. 69 – “Tracking should be easy. Such men would leave unmistakable prints in the soft forest soil. After a few minutes of searching, Adam stopped. ‘Where are the tracks?’ He saw a few indentations that resembled a child’s print, but the giants left no trace.”
pp. 71-72 – “When he finally got a hold of it, he ripped the animal from his back and flung it with all his strength toward the back of the cave. Light filled the cave and a man appeared before Adam. A new kind of terror gripped him, and he dropped to one knee. The man pointed to the depths of the cavern and spoke. ‘Remember the vigor with which you cast it.’ ”
p. 77 – “It seemed dangerous to show interest in the cottage with these men.”
p. 77 – “Rational people have evidence-based knowledge, not blind faith. Take my advice – go back to the city.”
p. 78 – “I though I felt the wind when I lived in the high country. But studies have proved there is no wind… If you have any trouble with the ‘wind,’ we’ll help you through it.”
p. 79 – “Soon the wind returned but the Great Ones didn’t seem to notice. Adam felt it, but as long as he stayed close, the Great Ones served as a windbreak and, with some effort, he kept moving.”
p. 83 – “‘You sound kind of angry. Did something happen to you?’ ‘My son. He was killed. The so-called Ruler claims to have power over life and death, but he did nothing to save him. I begged him to at least give me a reason, but he wouldn’t say a word.”
p. 84 – “‘If the ruler were as good as they say, why would he outlaw fruit?’ ‘So your desire for fruit was part of your reason for leaving?’ ‘A man’s got to eat.'”
p. 86 – “The blade sliced through the air in a blur – a blur of colors that reminded Adam of the ones he’d seen rise from the cottage. Both lions limped away, trailing blood.”
p. 87 – “Without her dagger, Kailyn appeared helpless – like a normal child. She struggled but could hardly move.”
p. 87 – “Still pinned, she could only swing the hammer a few inches, but the tap sent the bear tumbling.”
p. 88 – “The tearful exchange moved Adam. He had seen plenty of hugs, but none like that one.”
p. 89 – “I assure you they are anything but toys. The are pieces of the cottage. They have power beyond anything you can imagine. I carry them everywhere… Kailyn laid them out on a stone as if she were setting out dazzling, priceless jewels. But Adam saw only old, splintered pieces of wood.”
p. 90 – “War has persisted between the high country and lowlands for centuries. It is a war your previous companions will soon lose. As for you, you must return with us at once. If you wish to live, do not resist.”
Q10.8: I can identify with a friend who does this for me on occasion. They don’t so much focus on my trouble but help put my focus on God. They encourage me with the truth of scripture, help point out specific truths I need at that time, testify to God’s goodness working in their life and mine, pray with me. Friends like this are so special.
Q10.7 – I imagine the lion’s roar has more than one purpose, like communicating to other lions (ie. ‘come this way, easy pickins over here’ or ‘stay away, I’m warning you!’) But even in a zoo, the roar of a lion can be so frightening that we are paralyzed. The enemy of our souls can cause fear to such an extreme that we might be afraid to move one way or the other, and keep us from God’s purpose. He prowls around LIKE a lion – sneaky, stealthy, purposeful in his intent to destroy. The insight I glean is this: though I may be temporarily paralyzed by fear, keep moving in the direction the Lord was leading just prior to that scary roar. Satan has a strategy, but Christ Jesus gave us plenty of instructions for overcoming, praise the Lord!
Q10.7: A lion’s roar is intended to scare its victim. I can imagine with satan it is the same, he wants us to be fearful of him (a bad kind of fear) as opposed to fear God as implied in v7 (a good kind of fear). This fear of the LORD in v7 enables us to cast our anxieties (bad fears) onto God because He cares for us. I notice also in v8, satan does not only want us to fear him but wants to devour us. satan hates any relationship we have with God and therefore he wants to destroy that relationship completely. If he can put out any spark of life of God in us, that we might have no desire or fear of God, then he has accomplished his purpose.
Ch 10, Q 6 – Well, based on the allegory, it appears he can come at us with a lot of force from a direction we’re not looking.
I think there are (at least) two lessons for us:
1) We need to be watchful! Alert! Our head on a swivel! Highly aware and attuned to what’s happening around us and knowledgeable of the spiritual significance of it all (1 Pet 5:8).
2) Even if we’re highly alert, and doing everything right, perhaps our guard might be down after an intense spiritual battle or encounter. We need to hold tight God’s word when we know we need it (in battle) AND when we think we can relax, because it’s then that Satan may launch a sneak attack.
Ch.10, Q. 5 – Hmmm. I suppose the answer has to do also with verses 18 and 23-24.
Something about the simplicity of the word of God exposes and reveals those counted as “those who are perishing” and “those who are being saved.”
I’m sure Satan loves it when we try to “dress up” or otherwise “improve” the message of the gospel with our own wisdom.
All this does is muddle the issue, confuse our hearers and results in either 1) false converts or 2) people who *think* they’re rejecting the gospel, but have never actually heard it, and are really only rejecting our bad misrepresentation of it.
Both are heartbreaking, and both are entirely the result of worldly effort, which is worthless and powerless.
So if people don’t clearly and accurately know where the gospel begins and ends, the call of the cross to repentance loses its power to be effective.
Q10.5 – just adding to Dean’s words; if in any way I stop depending on Jesus and the message of Him crucified, risen and ascended, then I’ve made room for the enemy to succeed. Reflecting on Paul’s words in Phil 3:7-11, the power of the enemy is undone spiritually and miraculously by Holy Spirit, in my heart as I testify and in the hearts of listeners.
Q10.5: With the gift God has given us to use, we are to use it as He intended that it might bring Glory to Him and therefore serve His purpose well. So, if we try to use the gift in a different way than He intended, or we believe we can add to the gift out of our own humanness to make it better, or we put the gift aside and try our own tactic, we thereby try to bring glory to ourselves. In doing so, the enemy will use our prideful heart to defeat us.
Ch. 10, Q. 4 – Wow, this is great! Apollos, what an unsung hero of Scripture! Imagine what it would have been like to hear him speak…
What’s remarkable about him, is that he was eloquent and competent, and spoke accurately about Jesus! He was clearly naturally gifted.
If I were in Apollos’ shoes, I could easily see myself becoming, conceited, arrogant, overconfident and condescending.
But Apollos was fervent in the Spirit, which means he didn’t consider himself, but only knowing Jesus better! So when he was offered mentoring, he gladly, willingly, and eagerly took it!
And to cap it off, in v. 28, it doesn’t say he relied on his eloquence or competence or zeal or education to show that Jesus was the Christ, but he relied on Scripture!
Amen! Thanks for bringing him to my attention! He had been one I had overlooked before.
Q10.2: One situation I considered is if a believer and unbeliever were having a debate about something in scripture, each convinced of their own view and each reasonably knowledgeable about scripture. I could see this turning sour if the believer did not act in love towards the unbeliever whilst debating that topic. If he was only out to win the argument, it will likely be at the cost of losing a friend and drawing him closer to God. (See 1 Cor 13:2)
Q10.3: satan when tempting Jesus wanted Him to look to Himself to fulfil His own needs and wants, he was tempting Him with selfish gain. Jesus’ responses were in order to Glorify and Honour the Father. When looking to Deuteronomy 6, this chapter contains the greatest commandment of “Love the LORD your God with all that is in you.” The whole chapter takes on this theme of putting God in the highest place in our lives. So, the context of Moses speaking in Deuteronomy and Jesus answering satan are similar in that, they were both wanting to make much of God and give Him the highest place.
Great point in your answer to Q2. Most people would see the main danger as losing the debate. I think that is a real danger. We must win debates with those who deny the truth (that’ the point of 2 Cor.10:5 when he says “take every thought captive.” People always take that as referring to controlling our own thoughts, but if you read the whole verse you find he’s talking about arguments that oppose the knowledge of God). But if we win the argument in an ungodly way, we’ve lost a bigger battle.
We need to have skilled use of God’s Word so that we don’t lose the battle over truth OR the battle against our own flesh in the way we fight for that truth.
There are a few points that come to mind based on your question, so I’m going to break your question down into two parts: 1) knowledge of, which helps us in a general sense, and 2) skill in, which helps us in a specific sense.
First, our “knowledge of” scripture. I believe this helps us in a general way. Since you mentioned Ephesians 6:12, I notice in the verses immediately prior, in 10-11s God says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
And then of course he launches into the separate elements of the full armor of God. But I believe the armor of God he describes is *explaining* what it means to be “strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” And the first thing he describes as part of the armor – the first tool available to Christians by which we tap into *God’s* strength – is truth (Eph 6:14).
And as we know from John 17:17, God’s word is truth.
So I believe the first way God imparts his strength to us is by giving us access to the truth through the Bible. By studying God’s word, we begin to understand spiritual principles, we begin to discern truth from error, and we begin to see how God’s plan is unfolding in the world and in our lives. All of these enable us to fight against Satan because sin’s power over us becomes weaker, because we get stronger in the faith and thus become less susceptible to lies, which are Satan’s primary tools.
Second, our “skill in” Scripture, which helps us in a specific way. As Dean and San Ben have both mentioned, knowing God’s Word specifically helps us parry the specific blows Satan launches.
Jesus fought off the specific temptations of Satan in the wilderness by specifically quoting Scripture, word for word, and in the proper context, back to him. As we know from Genesis 3, Satan loves to subtly twist God’s word or use it out of context, so knowing it specifically, verse by verse, word for word, allows us to expose and counter Satan’s deception.
2 Cor 10:4-5 also illustrates this principle. We can’t demolish every claim against the knowledge of God and take it captive with the word of God unless we actually *know* – and know how to use – the word of God!
So just as an accomplished warrior not only needs to be strong and in good shape in general, if he doesn’t also know a specific fighting skill, he’ll be useless on the battlefield.
So too must we allow God’s word to strengthen us in the truth in general, and we must learn the specific skill of being able to use Scripture correctly and appropriately.
Q10.1-the role of our knowledge and skill in use of Scripture is essential! Just like playing a football game without your quarterback is a recipe for a massacre – living the Christian life (which is a constant battle) without memorizing and learning to apply the Holy Word of God is sure to end in failure and disaster.
Q10:1 – To proclaim its truth to our spiritual enemy, satan. Knowing scripture and being able to use it in the right context at the right time with the power of the Holy Spirit, will hit its mark against the enemy. Consider Jesus temptation in the desert. It will also encourage and confirm within us our sure belief in the Truth.
Ch 9, Q 9.
I’m certain I’m guilty of this, but I’m having a hard time thinking if how. I’m sure it’ll come to me.
But for now, the closest I can come is to 1 Cor 13:1-7.
It’s not that I didn’t want to accept what the Bible is saying here, it’s just that I spent a lot of my life being guilty of these verses without realizing it.
Sure I had read them, even taught them, but for some reason I just never saw myself in them.
Whenever I acted unloving, I always had a good reason, was always justified. (Hmmmm so maybe it was indeed my pride “refusing” to see myself in these verses…)
Anyway, God graciously exposed that sin, and now when I read those verses, I’m like, “dang, yep that was me to a ‘T’! How could I have not seen it before?”
Q9.7&8 – we serve an all-wise God and our finite minds can only catch a small glimpse of Him. To understand Him, His ways and purposes is wayyyy beyond us! Thankfully, He is also loving and gentle. He doesn’t indulge our sin-mess, but moves us out of it, closer and closer to His glorious will. I’m still left wondering about Job, his friends and my own circumstances, but my faith and my testimony of His grace grows with each passing day.
Ch.9, Q. 8 –
In 38:3, God tells Job to brace himself like a man. Up to that point, Job had been very “woe-is-me,” very self-focused. So God’s response to Job is very direct and, frankly, quite harsh.
Instead of offering Job sympathy, he kind of kicks him when he’s down. God doesn’t indulge Job in his selfishness, but rather launches into an interrogation designed to expose Job’s very limited understanding and perspective.
Then when Job finally answers in 40:2, it’s still self-focused, so God launches a second round of interrogation!
Finally, in chapter 42, Job’s response is, at last, God-focused.
Sometimes the best response to our suffering (and maybe a reason for it in the first place) is for God to simply remind us who he is, and we’re living his *His* story!
You talk about desire disorders, and in cases like these we suffer from *perspective* disorders!
So the only way to cure the disorder is for God to force our focus onto him. If he indulged our questioning of his plan, he would be aggravating our condition, not healing it!
Ch. 9, Q. 7 – This question has been on my mind all day. I had never really thought about it before, but now that I am, I am even *more* astounded by Job’s faith!
I had just said in a previous post that without eternity as a backdrop, my perseverance would vanish.
The only thing that makes makes me able to bear up under suffering is knowing that God is sovereign over it, has allowed me to suffer it on purpose and for a purpose. And even then I often respond sinfully!
Job didn’t know any of that; he did have the benefit of being able to read the Bible, or to read the book of Job. And he *still* responded righteously. WOW!!
As an aside, I notice the verses that Job sinned not are in chapters 1 and 2. Was just his initial response righteous, but he responded sinfully as his trial went on? After all, in 42:6, Job says he repents… but then in the very next verse God says Job spoke rightly of Him?
I think there is a clear decline in Job’s response as the book goes on. He could handle losing everything, but the lost of everything combined with the “comfort” of his friends was a little more than he could bear, it seems. Toward the end, he does begin to accuse God of injustice. And God’s response to him does come as a bit of a rebuke.
On the other hand, while he did veer a bit off track, he didn’t err to the degree that the friends did, which is why he has God’s favor at the end–so much so that God won’t even forgive the friends unless Job requests it.
Q9.7: It was a test of Job’s faith, not his sight. If he knew what was going to happen and why he was being tested, he would’ve had a completely different reaction. This test of faith showed his true allegiance and devotion to God despite the circumstances.
Q9.8: When I consider this passage, I believe God revealed Himself as the answer. In times of trouble and questioning, I have often gone for a walk amongst God’s creation. When I get caught up in worship of Him in this place, the weight of my burdens lightens, my questions seem insignificant, and He is all that matters. I need to see things in this way so as not to worry about what I can’t control.
“I had a million questions to ask God; but when I met Him, they all fled my mind; and it didn’t seem to matter.”
–CHRISTOPHER MORLEY
Q9.6: I would say it depends on the attitude of the heart in the person asking the question. We can see from the story Alexander was bitter and accusive towards God; in Isaiah it is the one who quarrels with God who is asking the question. “Woe” to these people the scripture says. However, I consider Job who had a multitude of questions. Whilst he may not have received an answer to these specific questions, there was no woeful judgement of God upon him – even though his heart was in a depressive state. But it is good to read in the latter chapters God gave him the answer he needed. And then I consider the questions of Zacharias and Mary, Zacharias simply asked the question “How will I know this for certain?” Luke 1:18 and was stuck silent, whilst Mary (seemingly) asks a similar question “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34 and received her answer. Only God can see within our hearts to know the attitude we have in questioning Him. I’m sure we have all questioned God at some point – maybe with both good and bad intentions, but this is a good reminder to check the motive of our hearts when we do come to God seeking an answer for something.
Awesome Dean.
You’ve made me think of Elijah and the widow in 1 Kings 17:17-22.
It seems after the widow’s son died, both she and Elijah, in their grief, cried out to God, “WHY?!” Yet they were not rebuked.
So I think, to your point, the lesson is, is not that it’s necessarily wrong to wrestle with the hard questions.
The lesson is that, *while* we’re wrestling with those hard questions, we still need to respond in, and act on, what faith we *do* have.
So instead of allowing the hard questions to extinguish our spark of faith, we need to allow God the opportunity to grow it into something bigger.
Elijah, while crying out from the widow’s perspective, didn’t stop acting in faith. He prayed a *GREAT* prayer, unprecedented at the time, for God to bring life back to her son!
And we see as a result that the widow went from very tiny faith, to great faith! In verse 24 she says, “Now I know the word of the Lord is truth!”
You guys nailed it! The Lord Jesus was questioned many times by the ones who thought they already had all the answers. But those who were like David (a man after God’s own heart) were seeking relationship with the Creator and we too seek Him on His terms, not our own.
I agree that God gave Job the answer he needed. But we should also note that God did not give Job the answer he wanted. Job wanted to know why, and God never explained that to him.
Q9.5 – Job is described as upright & blameless. He feared God and shunned evil. So he refused to criticize or question the Lord God, which allowed him to avoid anger. My youngest brother is a very angry man who has lived emotionally distant and physically drunk for most of his life. He is about as unpleasant a person as I have ever met, who constantly criticizes and complains. Of course, I love and pray for him without ceasing but it’s not at all enjoyable to be around him. It may sound like anger is directed at people or circumstances, bit it is ultimately aimed at God with serious eternal consequences.
I’m very sorry to hear this San Ben. It must be hard for you, knowing you have the answer, and also knowing he’s refusing it.
Thank you, Austin. This situation is my chaos, as you put it. It keeps me on my knees, dependent and hopeful. The funny thing is, God uses me as the chaos in my brother’s life, to keep Jesus in front of him and call him out of darkness.
God brought me to him through a VERY severe (to me) trial. Prior to that point, if you had asked me, I would have said I was a Christian, but I really had no idea what that meant.
So God used a trial to bring me to him for real, and so that I would know exactly who he was, and what I believed about him and why. When this trial first kicked off, I was very angry at God. I felt I had been tricked or betrayed by him.
Much like Alexander, I was determined to go ‘through every square inch’ of God’s word, to find out who he really is. I read the Bible cover-to-cover in about three months (God graciously gave me the time). What I found astounded me.
Far from the vindictive, vengeful, judgmental God of the OT that I had always heard about, what I found over and over and over and over again were references to God’s mercy and love and compassion and gentleness and grace. He really was the same God of the NT!
You see, I had been angry because my world had come unordered. The trial caused me to lose my moorings and my bearings and I felt completely lost and hopeless. But what God began to teach was that the world wasn’t unordered. It just wasn’t ordered the way I *thought* it was. Far from losing my moorings and my bearings, God simply centered me on the correct ones.
In the years since, several verses have really stood out to me, illustrating the way God is still good in the midst of this fallen world, and not to confuse our trial with God not caring:
John 16:33 – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 17:15, 18 – I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one… As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
Genesis 50:20 – As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. (Your teaching, Darrell, has really helped me see the beauty and implications of this verse and concept!)
Chaos is part of the order. God has not lost control. He is not cruel or distant or uncaring or indifferent.
To circle back to the question, when we finally see it all fitting together, oh man does it grow our faith! Yes, anger at God can destroy faith, but our trials are meant to grow our faith! Oh may we be those who respond to trials the right way, and help others to do the same!
Oh man, this question has really gotten me excited! I have much more to say! But I’ve gone on too long already! Thanks for such a thought-provoking question.
Q9.5: To realise God is worthy to be praised, obeyed, appreciated, honoured and worshipped because of who He is and not just because of what He may or may not do.
Ch 9, Q 3. This is awesome! I never before really considered the link between these virtues and not being nearsighted and blind, but it makes so much sense!
So now that I think about it, I’m realizing that for me, it is *DEFINITELY* perseverance! If I lose sight of eternity, my perseverance vanishes.
2 Cor 4:17 is an essential verse for me to always keep in mind in this regard.
Without eternity, my trials mean nothing, and there’s no reason *not* to give up or give in to every temptation.
Wow, not become nearsighted is really the key to every Christian virtue!
Great insight!
Ch. 9, Q 2. I think a version of this can happen when Christians remember they’re Christian, but lose sight of eternity and what *really* matters.
An example of this I can think of off the top of my head is the stupid controversies some Christians create over things that. Just. Don’t. Matter! Some Christians want to create a national boycott over the color of Starbucks latest Christmas cup?! Really?
Let’s remember 2 Timothy 2:23-26 and put our energy into things that are actually productive and helpful from an eternal perspective.
Ch 9, Q 1. I think for me it’s definitely my emotions too. It’s so easy for me to lose sight of eternity when I’ve been ignored, dismissed, disrespected, or otherwise treated unfairly (in my eyes), especially by someone I love.
The pain and betrayal and anger and sadness I feel in those moments takes up all the space and I have a very hard time putting it into eternal perspective.
Ch. 8, Qs 5-6:
I think for me, people pleasing (in a sinful way) can be very subtle and I’m sure there are times I’m doing it without even really realizing it.
I take Roman’s 12:18 seriously, so I truly do strive to live at peace with people as much as possible.
But sometimes I probably lose sight of the line between living at peace and people-pleasing.
It can be hard to find the balance between still supporting a person, but not supporting their lifestyle. There might be parties or events that I’m not comfortable going to, but I don’t want to be viewed as a recluse or as somehow superior, because I think if I’m viewed that way, it do more to turn people away from Christ rather than towards him.
This can be hard for me, and it sometimes creates inner turmoil.
Q9.4 – the proper response is to stop, turn around, RETURN to the Lord. Whether it takes humility, reassessment, or something else, we have to notice what has gone wrong requires us to return to the Lord. Anger isn’t forbidden, but sin is! Those who turn to anger to justify their position seem to hedge their bet, in my opinion. They don’t have to become atheist, they can continue to believe in God, even as they blame Him and refuse to return to His path.
Q9.4: Humility of heart seems to be the key. To come back to God with a repentant heart is what is needed in these times, but so often our frustration at God builds up and we put a wall of pride up between ourselves and Him as though God is at fault. Great verse in Proverbs which explains just that. Sadly, just this past week I experienced this feeling because of my own sin. I realised there was a problem between me and God. God made me aware of this and I humbled my heart. I’m so thankful for the mercy and grace of God. The sooner we learn a prideful heart is of no benefit to anyone, the quicker we will be to let it go and humble ourselves before Him.
Every time, by God’s grace, I’m actually able to overcome my prideful heart and repent and seek forgiveness, both to God and to those I’ve hurt, I’m always SO GLAD I DID!!! I have never, ever regretted it.
Yet, the next time I’m in a position to have to do so again, it will be so hard and it will be the *last* thing I want to do.
Crazy the way prideful sin works in our lives to keep us from the things of God…
Ch. 8, Q 3. The Bible is such an amazing book. The more I read it, the more I love it.
Even the way the world tries to secularize the Bible, one can tell there is something else going on. Because they’re not trying to just to secularize it, they’re trying to destroy it, and are desperate to deprive it of *any* meaning at all. But why such overkill? Clearly there must be something different about this book to elicit such a response.
Let’s accept an honest secularist’s view of the Bible for a moment. Even if I don’t believe in God *at all,* I would still have to concede, that at the very least, the Bible offers a complete and coherent philosophy explaining literally every thing around us.
It explains why people can be so good and kind to each other, and literally die for one another, and yet also commit acts of horrifying and unspeakable evil.
It explains why people are born,and why they die. It explains where we came from, why we’re here, and where we’re going.
It explains why we have things like love and beauty and art and creativity and ingenuity and work ethic.
It explains why we have things like anger and pain and noise and brokenness and laziness.
It explains why we have emotions and appetites and desires and affections and wills and longings.
It explains why we make the choices we make.
It explains why we have outrage at injustice. It explains why we have compassion and empathy.
It explains why we have light and darkness and heat and cold and fire and air and wind and oceans and rivers and trees and seeds and rocks and mud and canyons and mountains and plains and wildflowers and waterfalls and bees and ants.
You get my point. It explains *everything.* Again, at the *very least* it offers a comprehensive and complete philosophy for the both the deepest questions and little quirks that we encounter in this life.
So if I was an honest secularist, why wouldn’t I embrace the Bible for at least these reasons, even if I tried to deny any divine origin or power?
Why would I try to destroy such a remarkable book?
I guess the only obvious answer is because you can’t separate the two. Only God could write such a book. And if we accept everything it says about everything we experience in life, the we have no choice but to also accept what it says about sin and accountability.
But man, I am SO GLAD the Bible exposes my sin. I will gladly (a weird way to say it) accept that I’m a sinner and repent if it means I get grace and salvation and eternal life in return!
I simply cannot believe there are people on this earth who won’t take that deal.
Q9.2: V9b – having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins. Being short-sighted would cause us to look more to ourselves and merely catering for our own needs because we can’t see much beyond ourselves. We are blinded to the needs of others around us and blinded to the love and blessing of God that He has given us in salvation. So, we shrivel back into our old familiar prison of “self” clarity.
Q9.3: We are encouraged in v5 to make every effort to exercise our faith to develop in us goodness (moral excellence). If I become spiritually blind and more inward looking, exercising my faith will be reaching out, not to faith in God but to faith in myself – my own reasoning. Any goodness that results will not be a goodness that honours God but a goodness that honours me.
Q9.2 – the short answer is blindness and forgetfulness.
Q9.3 – if I forget that I was a sinner saved by grace, I may become proud of my virtue as though it was accomplished in my own strength, when Scripture and life-experience clearly show that the only good in me is a result of God’s eternal love and mighty hand in my life.
Q5 – Adam craved approval, as do we all. It’s part of the God-sized hole in our hearts, that only God can fill. Sadly, he sought the approval of the council, and didn’t realize (yet) that what his soul deeply craved, was the approval that comes from the Lord. When we are pleasing in God’s sight, men have nothing to be displeased about.
Q6 – In the company of missionaries or candidates, I want to appear quite involved, busy. The mindset that cripples me is not being physically able to accomplish as much as I did when I was younger. I still have the desire to minister and serve but it seems to be so much less than just a few year ago…hopefully it is a deeper and more meaningful ministry, even if it’s not to as many people as in the past.
Ch. 8, Q. 2 – I’m reminded of GI Joe: “Now you know, and knowing is half the battle!”
Satan isn’t that original. He basically only has one game plan, but we keep falling for it! But in verses like these from Proverbs and other verses like James 1:14-15, God gives us Satan’s playbook! We know what his tactics are! And by knowing his tactics, we can be on the lookout for them and avoid them!
I’m really just paraphrasing things I’ve heard Darrell teach before, but that “baited hook” idea is powerful! If we can recognize that the thing we think we desire is actually a baited hook that will lead us to our death, our desire to indulge in that thing will evaporate once we see it for what it really is.
But we have to be willing to see! We have to be spiritually-awake enough, sober-minded enough to at least be aware that our desires can be deceiving and Satan is always trying to spring a trap on us!
I guess it’s at this point where the Galatians 5:16 principle discussed in Chapter 6, Question 7 comes in here too.
Question 1: Wow, this question really caused my mind to think. I’m reminded of something like a day at the beach with my young sons or New Year’s Eve just before the fireworks.
In the first case, my son didn’t want to come into the water because he thought it was cold. But me, already being in the water, *KNEW* that he would have a WONDERFUL time and would not be cold at all if he could just overcome his momentarily fleshly impulse to stay comfortable and jump in the water.
Or in the second case, he had fallen asleep and we were trying to wake him up to see the fireworks. Even though he was tired and just wanted to go back to sleep, as his parents, we *KNEW* he wouldn’t regret shaking off his sleepiness once the fireworks began – he would LOVE them!
So it is with us, right? God KNOWS that what he offers will satisfy us in an infinitely greater way than the simplistic comfort we think we crave. If we would just DO IT! If we would just. take. that. bite! We’d see that it’s *real* food and wonder why we didn’t partake a long time ago!
I’m reminded of what you teach often, Darrell, that God loves to grow faith. He loves to take little faith and turn it into big faith. And in this case, what we think of as “little” faith is actually BIG faith and so God loves to expose and reward it!
What I mean by that is this: if I’m caught up in the Spirit, doing the things of God comes easy, because I have momentum on my side. But if I’ve been away from God for a while, yet still *deliberately choose* to overcome the impulses of my flesh and instead partake of God’s bread, that deliberate choice shows great faith!
I’m literally only doing it, not because I feel like it necessarily, but simply and only because God said I should. And I *choose* to believe and trust God when he says his way will be better. I believe, often, God sees that act of faith and rewards it by giving us great delight in the thing we chose.
I know there have a been many times when I just haven’t wanted to go to Bible study. But out of faith (and not ritualistic obedience – the difference is key), I decided to go anyway and it seems like it’s always those nights that God ministers to my soul the most. I always leave excited and refreshed and thinking: I AM SO GLAD I CAME!
Great illustrations. Even though I’m a grown man and I know I’ll get used to the water in a couple minutes, I’m still reluctant to dive in. I finally came to the point where I don’t wade in to the ocean anymore. I dive in and go all the way under as soon as possible, because that way it only takes seconds instead of minutes to get used to it.
Great thing to remember when I’m too lazy to get up and go to Bible study. “Don’t mess around. Just get up and go. Jump in the water and you’ll be glad you did.”
Q9.1: I’m not sure if I’m on the same train of thought you intended Darrell, but one thing that comes to mind is the way I deal with finances. Paying bills and taxes on one hand and saving money on the other. I have to be careful to not place too much emphasis on the value of money as though it is necessary to satisfy me, or as though it is just as necessary as things of eternal value. Keeping Jesus words in mind – “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” reminds me of the earthly necessities of money but the little value it has eternally. Sure, I may need money whilst living on earth, but even all I have is only on loan from God. When I consider “saving money”, saving for what? Saving to satisfy earthly desires again? Checking the attitude of my heart regarding finances is something I have to do often.
Yes. Money is so difficult because it can be used for both this life and the kingdom of God. And our motives can becomes so hopelessly mixed, it’s hard to sort out sometimes.
Q8.5: People pleasing can become evil when we become the focus of our own attention. God and others become secondary.
This can be seen in church circles where some try to act pious or wise before leaders or others, they have high regard for. Or maybe they do a good deed with the intention that others may see their “Christian act”. They feel if they can get a favourable comment or encouragement from them, it is of more value than some hidden blessing from God.
On the other hand, if our attitude is pure and we have a heart to honour God through blessing others, then when we lose the desire to draw the focus to ourselves. We are not attentive to the encouragement of others in a selfish way. Our joy comes in being a servant of God.
Q8.6: As I read through the list of ways we can be people pleasers, shamefully, I know some of these areas are a great struggle for me – past and present. Crippled by criticism and what others think of me are big ones; not by all people but generally those I’m closest too.
Q8.4: The evidence that drew me to Christ and that I still see in many today is, the Holy Spirit evident in a believer’s life. Remembering back, there was a “Light” in them I couldn’t deny. Their speech, their actions, their desires were all so different from the world. It was attractive and I wanted whatever it was they had. It is a beautiful thing to see Jesus shining in the life of His children. It encourages my faith that Jesus is alive and active in believers today.
Q8.3 Once again, we see Holy Spirit’s powerful work- helping men listen and capture, with pen and ink, the words Father spoke, so that we have it written down for us and future generations. The 2 Tim passage makes me think of Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my shepherd…’ What more could I need? What more could I want but Him? It seems to me that when God the Creator breathed life into humans, He also created a place for His Word to reside. That way, Scripture that has been memorized flows from our mouths into the world and continues to do the work it was designed to do, continues to breathe life, inspiring a desire for more and more of this Word in lost souls.
Q8.3:
Claims on Origin:
2 Pet 1:20-21: It is entirely from God and not by the will of man.
2 Tim 3:16: It is inspired by God. (I love how some translations use “God breathed”, it creates a beautiful image.)
Claims on human soul:
Ps 19:7-10: Renewing one’s life, restoring, and refreshing the soul, making the inexperienced wise, bringing joy to the heart, enlightening the eyes, creating within us a fear of the LORD that endures forever, encourages us to desire God’s word over worldly riches and pleasures as it is far more fulfilling.
2 Tim 3:17: God’s word completes and equips us for every good work. (Awesome – there is a lot in that one small verse!)
Heb 4:12: God’s living and active word penetrates into the deepest parts of our nature, exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. Oh, how we need this.
Q8.1: Is 55: It would make me question whether what I am trying to find pleasure in is actually “bread” (v2). Then help point my attention to what would truly satisfy, something that I could “delight” in. And then to realise, what truly satisfies is free.
Ps 63: It would encourage me to seek God over any pleasure sin brings, realising, only God can give what is better than life. It would encourage me to praise Him and be thankful.
Q8.2: It would remind me all sin is a bitter ugliness disguised in false beauty. It would remind me that I can often be fooled to see sin as satisfying but to be warned just how dangerous it is in reality.
Ch. 9, Q. 7 – This question has been on my mind all day. I had never really thought about it before, but now that I am, I am even *more* astounded by Job’s faith!
I had just said in a previous post that without eternity as a backdrop, my perseverance would vanish.
The only thing that makes makes me able to bear up under suffering is knowing that God is sovereign over it, has allowed me to suffer it on purpose and for a purpose. And even then I often respond sinfully!
Job didn’t know any of that; he did have the benefit of being able to read the Bible, or to read the book of Job. And he *still* responded righteously. WOW!!