3-Day Bible Reading Plan: Satan Speaks Religion
“False teaching is one of the primary weapons of the Devil. What is surprising about this false teaching is how closely it resembles sound teaching. Often, we think the great intellectual enemy of Christianity is atheism. It is not. The antagonist of faithfulness in the Scriptures is false religion.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 10/27/24
Day 1
Featured Verse: Ephesians 6:12-13 - “For We Wrestle Not With Flesh and Blood”
Cross References:
Ephesians 2:2 - “The Spirit That is Now At Work in the Sons of Disobedience”
How does Satan influence unbelievers? How might you act differently by being more cognizant of spiritual warfare?
1 Peter 1:14 - “Do Not Be Conformed to the Passions of Your Former Ignorance”
Sin entices unbelievers but should never entice us. What are some practical ways to keep ourselves conformed to the image of Christ?
2 Corinthians 11:14 - “Satan Disguises Himself As An Angel of Light”
Satan isn’t twisted and ugly with a red pitchfork. He is quite attractive—so much so, he can pass as an angel of light! How might this knowledge help you to be more cautious when certain behaviors or temptations look appealing?
“Cowards never won heaven. Do not claim that you are begotten of God and have His royal blood running in your veins unless you can prove your lineage by this heroic spirit: to dare to be holy in spite of men and devils.” - William Gurnall
“If you will tell me when God permits a Christian to lay aside his armor, I will tell you when Satan has left off temptation.” - Charles Spurgeon
Day 2
Featured Verse: Galatians 1:6-9 - “I Am Astonished That You Are So Quickly Deserting Him”
Cross References:
Galatians 5:7 - “You Were Running Well. Who Hindered You From Obeying the Truth?”
Was there ever a time when a false teaching sounded right to you and you followed it for a time? How did God discipline you and correct your thinking?
Galatians 1:8 - “Even If We or An Angel…Preach to You a Gospel Contrary to the One We Preached…Let Him be Accursed”
Consider: Even the angels are suspect if they preach another gospel. Paul gives a harsh verdict: “Let him be accursed.” Why? Because if they do not repent, they are “disciples of the devil” and make men twice as much a child of hell as themselves (Matthew 23:15).
Romans 8:8 - “Those Who Are In the Flesh Cannot Please God”
The flesh is dead. The Spirit is life. How can we more fully walk by the Spirit than by our flesh?
“Avowed atheists are not a tenth as dangerous as those preachers who scatter doubt and stab at faith.” - Charles Spurgeon
“Tell me not of your justification, unless you also have some marks of sanctification.” - J.C. Ryle
Day 3
Featured Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - “I Decided to Know Nothing Among You Except Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”
Cross References:
2 Corinthians 4:2 - “We Have Renounced Disgraceful, Underhanded Ways. We Refuse…to Tamper With God’s Word”
All disobedience stems from two avenues. Either someone ignores what God says or they tamper with what God says. Both avenues have no love for the Word of God or His commandments. By ignoring, changing, or watering down Scripture to suit their taste, they are still in the flesh and do not please God. They have placed their own preferences above God’s will. How might you keep yourself from doing the same?
1 Peter 4:2-3 - “Live For the Rest of the Time in the Flesh No Longer for Human Passions”
Though we still live in the flesh, we are not to walk in the flesh. The old has gone, behold, the new has come. How is your life different today than it was before you were a Christian? How do you now live for God?
2 Timothy 4:2 - “Preach the Word; Be Ready In Season and Out of Season”
The greatest weapon against spiritual warfare is to know the Word of God and keep it. Satan knows his Scripture—so too must you, and you must know how to rightly divide it. How might you become a more devoted student of Scripture?
“All the simplicity in the world can do no good, unless you preach the simple gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand it. If ‘Christ crucified’ has not His rightful place in your sermons, and sin is not exposed as it should be, and your people are not plainly told what they ought to believe, and be, and do—your preaching is of no use!” - J.C. Ryle
“The Word of God is too sacred a thing, and preaching too solemn a work, to be toyed and played with.” - William Gurnall