The Grapevine
Number 124                                                                       
March 5, 2006
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

Seeing Right from Wrong
by Jack Northart

The spin of the earth goes unnoticed to most people. By "spin" I mean the constant static of misinformation that is published in print or electronic media, as well as in everyday conversation.

There is one true God and there is the counterfeit god, Satan. In II Corinthians, he is refered to as the "god of this world." He is the author and master of "spin" in this world today.

II Corinthians 4:3-4
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Part of Satan's curriculum is to blind the minds of people so that they cannot see the truth of God's Word. He does this by misguiding, misleading and misinforming people. He is very successful with "spinning" the world. His constant barrage of highly regarded, well respected and widely accepted misinformation, can convince many intelligent people into accepting it. One of the best lies he has is convincing the world the he doesn't exist, and therefore can accellerate his subtle "spin" tactics or methods. 

In order to come out ahead, or to be able to separate lies from truth, right from wrong, we must recognize that the ultimate authority for truth is God's Word. When His Word is rightly divided and understood, the fog of misinformation clears away and Satan's methods are uncovered.

II Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Without the truth from God's Word in our hearts and minds, it is very difficult to recognize Satan's devices.

I Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Many people live without understanding God's Word, thus their premise for truth is askew. They base what they believe to be true from their personal taste, or how they were raised or from what they learned in college. Furthermore, they lack the desire to learn or believe the Word of God. With God's Word as our premise, we can understand what is truly right and what is wrong.

Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

The whole armor of God is not physical armor, but rather a mental armor of protection. Why is it important to put on this armor in our minds?

Verse 12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

It's not a flesh and blood contest that we are dealing with, but a spiritual one.

Verses 13-17
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

When we put on this armor, we are able to stand and see what is going on in the world around us. We are able to seperate what is right and true from what is false and deceptive.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The power to determine what you will think about or not think about is a powerful aid in resisting the devil. When we submit or subject ourselves to God, and then resist or stand against the devil, he will flee from us.

I John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

The skill to separate truth from deception is gained through discipline and systematic practice of God's Word. We must make up our minds to learn and understand the Word of God, and refuse to succumb to the lies and methods of the adversary. When we do this, we will come out the victor.

I Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.