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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!

 

 

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Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, 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 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

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 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.