Matthew 4:6-7 (ESV)
I have often heard it said that there is no need for a church or ministry to have a doctrinal statement; they just need to hold to the Bible. The problem with that is that even the Devil can quote scripture, but he knows how to twist it to meet his ends. That is why not only a doctrinal statement is important, but why careful study of the Scripture is invaluable. Did Satan quote the Psalms correctly? Yes, although there is a line that he left out which is significant. Between the words “you” and “on their hands” is the line, “to guard you in all your ways.” That connects back to Exodus 23:20 “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” “All your ways” is related to following God’s lead to his destination for the people of God. While the Scripture does say that God will protect you, it is no guarantee that he will protect you if you do something that is clearly against his will and purpose, or just plain unwise. For example, this is no guarantee that if you intentionally step in front of a bus traveling 50mph you won’t get hurt. This is no guarantee that if Jesus leaps off the pinnacle of the temple, he won’t be broken on the rocks below. When Scripture is not carefully understood it can easily be misused. Don’t just read the Bible. Meditate on it. Compare Scripture to Scripture. Study it in its context and the meaning of the words used. It is worth the effort, and it will guard us against misuse and abuse. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).
[6] and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
[7] Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
I have often heard it said that there is no need for a church or ministry to have a doctrinal statement; they just need to hold to the Bible. The problem with that is that even the Devil can quote scripture, but he knows how to twist it to meet his ends. That is why not only a doctrinal statement is important, but why careful study of the Scripture is invaluable. Did Satan quote the Psalms correctly? Yes, although there is a line that he left out which is significant. Between the words “you” and “on their hands” is the line, “to guard you in all your ways.” That connects back to Exodus 23:20 “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” “All your ways” is related to following God’s lead to his destination for the people of God. While the Scripture does say that God will protect you, it is no guarantee that he will protect you if you do something that is clearly against his will and purpose, or just plain unwise. For example, this is no guarantee that if you intentionally step in front of a bus traveling 50mph you won’t get hurt. This is no guarantee that if Jesus leaps off the pinnacle of the temple, he won’t be broken on the rocks below. When Scripture is not carefully understood it can easily be misused. Don’t just read the Bible. Meditate on it. Compare Scripture to Scripture. Study it in its context and the meaning of the words used. It is worth the effort, and it will guard us against misuse and abuse. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).
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