The Apostle Paul shared with the Corinthians he was not ignorant of Satan’s schemes (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:11); that is, he was aware when it came to the adversary’s thoughts, purposes, or devices.
Believers know the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy—that is the theme of the evil one’s devices. A key to thwart those desires is to recognize when he scrawls his equations on the world’s chalkboard and erase them before his very eyes.
While “Professor Thief” uses all the practices of mathematics: He adds to the Word, causes division, and multiplies lies; today, we will focus on his equations of subtraction.
Equation 1
The eroding of the truth brings deception; absence of truth equals delusion.
Equation 2
The eroding of justice brings increased rebellion; absence of justice equals lawlessness.
Equation 3
The eroding of the truth and the eroding of justice brings about anomie1; absence of the truth and justice (and the laws that define such) equals apostasy.2
The history of Israel throughout the Old Testament is replete with illustrations of these equations with their equalization summed up with the words, “but every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (cf. Judges 17:6; 21:25).
However, when the Lord’s disciples do what is right in the sight of His eyes, the evil one’s equations are refuted!
When truth begins to erode — contend,
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude v.3).
When justice crumbles — defend,
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy” (Psalm 82:3).
When apostasy reigns — repent,
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Oh, may we have ears to hear the prophet’s words, herald 2700 years ago, and still carrom today:
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).
Father, give us ears to hear those words, in Jesus Name!
