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How Satan Uses Faith to Deceive

How Satan Uses Faith to Deceive

When you hear the word faith, what do you understand it to mean?

Dictionary.com offers multiple meanings for this word; here are a few:

  1. confidence or trust in a person or thing
  2. belief that is not based on proof
  3. belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion
  4. belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.
  5. a system of religious belief

Does your understanding of faith incorporate all of these definitions? Do you understand faith to be confidence and trust in God, the doctrines and teachings of the Bible, God’s law, His code of conduct that results in certain religious beliefs and duties, all of which are to be believed in without proof—taken “on faith,” without evidence, because God in the Bible said so?

Sadly, this way of understanding faith is exactly how Satan deceives people with faith. Faith, many think, is believing what is contrary to evidence, what one’s better judgment says shouldn’t be believed, what we do not have evidence or proof of—often called blind faith, believing with a mind closed to evidence, facts, and truth.

I remember reading in a Bible study guide many years ago a description of faith that went like this: “We don’t need faith to believe the sky is over our head because we can look up and see the sky; we need faith to believe in the God who lives beyond the sky because we can’t see Him.”

I immediately thought, “Well, if that is an accurate description of faith, then does that mean when Jesus comes again and we meet Him face to face, we will say to Him, ‘Jesus, before you came back, I used to have faith in you, but now that I have seen you with my own eyes, I no longer have faith in you’?” Of course not! When we meet Jesus in person, our faith will explode exponentially as we get to know Him even better than we do now.

Genuine faith is based upon reality, upon truth, upon evidence, upon facts, and upon experience. It is the only way to have actual confidence, trust, faith. Any concepts of faith that are not based in reality are tricks that deceive.

Recently, I read the following in another Bible study guide:

An unusual characteristic of the opening scene of the Gospel of Mark is that Jesus is presented as a character with both divinity and humanity. On the side of divinity: He is the Christ, the Messiah (Mark 1:1), the Lord announced by a messenger (Mark 1:2, 3), mightier than John (Mark 1:7), the beloved Son on whom the Spirit descends (Mark 1:10, 11). But on the side of humanity, we see the following: He is baptized by John (not the other way around, Mark 1:9), He is driven by the Spirit (Mark 1:12), tempted by Satan (Mark 1:13), with wild animals (Mark 1:13), and ministered to by angels (Mark 1:13).

Why these contrasts? This points to the amazing reality of Christ, our Lord and Savior, our God, and yet also a human being, our brother and our example. How do we fully wrap our minds around this idea? We can’t. But we accept it on faith and marvel at what this truth reveals to us about God’s love for humanity (SDA Adult SS Guide, 3rd Q 2024, The Book of Mark p. 10, emphasis mine).

What do you understand this to be saying? What is the message? Is it, “While God is infinite and we can never fully comprehend Him, we are still expected to think, reason, and understand to the fullest extent possible, and our comprehension of and appreciation for God will grow through all eternity”? Or did you hear, “God’s ways are beyond our ability to comprehend, so we don’t think about them—we just accept them on faith without seeking to understand”?

I really dislike the merger of a truth with an action that is against God’s desire for us, against God’s methods and principles, as is done in the quoted paragraphs above.

The truth is that we cannot fully wrap our minds around Jesus’ incarnation—we cannot fully comprehend God. That is true. But that does not mean we cannot comprehend and understand many things about God, His character, methods, nature, motives, design laws, and aspects of His sacrifice, and grow in our understanding through time.

In fact, Jesus said He wants us to understand, that He wants us to be His friends who do understand and not be unthinking servants who simply obey because the master said so (John 15:15).

This argument that faith is belief without thinking, without understanding, without evidence, really bothers me because it presents itself as virtuous, as righteous, as a good thing, as pious, holy, saintly, meek, and humble—but it is actually none of those things. It is a deception that keeps people from knowing the truth for themselves; it prevents people from understanding and being set free by the truth.

Satan has no truth on his side, so he must get people to accept and believe things based on “faith” without understanding, without comprehension, to believe things that are not supported by evidence, things that are irrational and unreasonable—which is why they cannot be thought about—because if thought about, one would see the lie. So people are taught, “Don’t question, don’t think; that would be a lack of faith—just believe.”

But while we cannot fully comprehend the things of God, we can understand much about why this contrast between Jesus’ humanity and divinity is recorded in Scripture. This contrast is there, inspired by God and written by Mark, because our salvation requires both to be true. Our salvation requires that Jesus be fully human in order to save the species God created in Eden. (See Salvation and the Cleansing of Our Spirits Part 1 and Part 2.) But Jesus also had to be fully God in order to address the lies Satan told about God that started the war in heaven, deceived angels, and then deceived Adam and Eve. Both must be fully true in order to save humanity and also bring an end to the cosmic war over God’s trustworthiness.

So, it is quite understandable why both are presented and necessary. Jesus is God who became fully human. In His humanity was the merger of two lives, or life-forces, or spirits—the breath of life, or spirit, breathed into Adam, which Adam corrupted with sin, and the Holy Spirit, who was the Father of Jesus’ humanity. In Jesus, the spirit of fear inherited from Adam was opposed, overcome, eradicated, and replaced with the spirit of love, truth, and holiness, becoming the new life source for humanity—connecting humanity back to God, the source of all life. And when we are converted, won to trust, we surrender our old life, our old spirit of fear and selfishness, and receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, who imparts in us a new spirit of love and trust that comes from Jesus (2 Timothy 1:7). We are reborn with new motives and desires and become part of the family of heaven (John 1:12, 13; Romans 8:14–17; Galatians 3:26).

But we are able to grow in the knowledge of God only when we have a living faith, a faith that is built upon the truth, a faith that requires us to think, reason, comprehend, a faith that is evidence-based—a reality-based, enlightened faith—and we reject the lie that faith is believing blindly, believing without evidence, suspending our thinking and believing based on claims, proclamations, and statements from voices of authority.

I invite you to a life of genuine faith, trust, confidence in God, which is based upon the truth, the evidence, the reality of who God is as revealed in Christ—the God who calls you to come and reason with Him and to be cleansed of sin (Isaiah 1:18), who wants every person to be fully persuaded in their own mind (Romans 14:5), which requires we think and reason and choose the truth for ourselves. Then we can grow up to be mature friends of Jesus (John 15:15) who are able to discern the right from the wrong (Hebrews 5:14) because we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Don’t be fooled! Genuine faith enlightens the mind; it never shuts down thinking.

 

 

 

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Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

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 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 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, 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 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

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

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA