Devotional

Stranger Danger

Michael Beck

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker …” (2 Timothy 2:15-17)

Our spiritual health depends on our reception of God’s Word. We live by every word that proceeds from His mouth. Satan is determined to keep God’s Word from penetrating the soil of our heart. (Mark 4:15) He works overtime to convince us that God’s Word is not applicable to our situation. He would steal the good seed before it has any opportunity to bring forth good fruit.

On the other hand, the enemy of our souls is more than willing for us to receive his word which sickens and destroys us. The reception of God’s Word increases godliness in our life; the devil’s word increases ungodliness. His word “will eat as doth a canker.” The word “canker” refers to a gangrenous sore.

If Satan is to flee he must be resisted steadfastly in the faith. (1 Pet. 5:8) Except we resist him he will devour us. At his first approach and subtle suggestion we must tell him to “get out of our face.” “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Matt. 16:23). If we don’t shun his “profane and vain babblings” spiritual gangrene will begin to set in.

Discerning between the voice of God and Satan is absolutely essential to our spiritual health. If we are to be kept we must hear the voice of our Shepherd and not heed the voice of a stranger. “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (John 10:4,5)

Satan is a counterfeiter. He transforms himself into an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14) For the good of our heart and home we do well not to entertain this angel unawares.


Michael Beck is a pastor in the Dallas, TX area and the main author on Signpost. Receive a daily devotional he publishes every morning via email.