Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
How Satan Attacks the Character of God

How Satan Attacks the Character of God

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3–5 NIV84).

Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and his primary lies are about God. Satan understands that when people know the truth about God, his power over them is broken and trust in God is restored. Thus, Satan works very hard to introduce lies about God into our minds, beliefs, worldview, doctrines, educational systems, and churches.

The more lies about God we believe, the more difficult it is to know and trust Him. God is the Creator of all reality. His character is love, and His methods are truth, love, and freedom. In Jesus, the fullness of God dwelt in human form (Colossians 2:9). We can know the truth about God’s character because it was revealed in the life of Jesus. If we have seen Jesus, then we have seen the Father.

But even the disciples didn’t fully understand this:

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves” (John 14:8–11 NIV84).

One of Jesus’ purposes in coming was to reveal the Father to us. In His prayer right before His crucifixion, Jesus said:

“I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. … I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world” (John 17:4, 6 NIV84, emphasis mine).

Satan hates the truth about God, and he hates it when the truth about God is revealed. Thus, he works to obscure the truth about God, to infect it with lies, to pervert it with distortions, to corrupt it with aspects of his own character so that people eventually replace the truth about God with a counterfeit in the image of Satan.

There are many ways Satan attacks the character of God; here are a few:

  • By replacing the truth that God’s laws are design protocols upon which the Creator built reality to operate with the lie that God’s laws function no differently than the rules sinful humans make up. Once believed, this lie causes God to be viewed as:
    • The source of pain, suffering, and death as punishment for sin
      • This lie manifests when people cry out, “What sin did I commit that God gave my child cancer?” Or, “What sin did I commit that my husband cheated on me?” Or, Job’s friends arguing that the calamity that befell Job was because God was punishing him for some sin.
    • The one from whom we need protection
      • This lie manifests in teachings that say payments need to be made to a punishing god, to do something to that god so that god will not hurt us.
    • Different in character than that of Jesus—that Jesus is merciful and loving while the Father is severe and punishing
  • By undermining the divinity of Christ:
    • If Jesus isn’t fully God, then His death reveals that God is willing to sacrifice others to protect Himself, which makes God to be selfish rather that love.
    • If Jesus isn’t fully God, then God is something other than love because love does not exist or function in a singularity; functional, active love requires an other. If there were a time when Jesus did not exist, then God was something other than love at that time.
  • By undermining the divinity of the Holy Spirit:
    • If the Holy Spirit is not fully divine with His own identity and individuality, then God is something other than love, as love fully operates only with an other and with a minimum of three.
      • Two individuals can exist in a dyad of narcissistic reinforcement in which they both adore and worship each other, being gratified and sustained by the attention. But when a third enters and takes the attention of one, anger and hostility emerge. Only when genuine self-sacrifice for the beneficence of the other is manifest does agape love exist.
    • Denying the existence of the Holy Spirit undermines the character of God and reinforces the notion of a self-centered god with a hierarchy style of government.
  • By suggesting God operates upon authoritarian hierarchy—with one being ruling over another:
    • This is Satan’s method and government (Isaiah 14). But because Jesus is fully God, we see, as described in Philippians chapter two, that He did not think equality with God as something to be grasped but humbled Himself for the uplifting of others. There is no hierarchy among the Godhead; they are all eternal and equal in power and authority.
  • By teaching that there is no God and that humans evolved randomly on our own:
    • This undermines not only God but also the nature and purpose of humanity.
    • It undercuts our individuality and the sanctity of life.
  • By teaching that God uses evolution to create:
    • Evolution teaches that organisms adapt and advance through eliminating weaker competition for resources. Thus, this lie teaches that God uses pain, suffering, and death to create.
    • God is the source of life, spoken into existence by His Word; according to the Bible, Satan and sin are the actual sources and causes of death.

We are in a war for our hearts and minds, and the central issue in the war is the knowledge of God. Don’t listen to the lies. Focus on Jesus, the Word, the Truth of God lived out for us to see, and be won back to love and trust in our incredible Creator, whose laws are the protocols of love built right into reality. Life, health, and happiness are only possible by living in harmony with God and His designs for life—so don’t believe the lies; embrace and live out the truth!

 

 

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA