Satanic Utterances
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 2 Timothy 3:3 NASB
Malicious gossips – Paul chooses a very interesting word, a word we probably couldn’t imagine would be translated as “malicious gossips.” The word is diaboloi. It is the plural, nominative adjective of diabolos, the word that obviously is often translated “devil.” Is Paul suggesting that in the last days “devils” will be running around all over the place? Hardly! He is not hinting that there are “demons” among us. But he has something very strong to say about people who slander, gossip, seduce or accuse falsely. He says exactly what we would expect from a Jewish rabbi. Such behavior is precisely the same behavior as the Accuser. It is therefore, in Greek, “of the devil.” In the last days the Devil won’t have to do much convincing. He won’t need to be a great and persuasive orator. Men and women will do all the talking for him.
Didn’t Yeshua call the Accuser the father of lies? Perhaps we haven’t understood how serious this is. We perpetuate the destruction of God’s order with every lie, every bit of gossip, every slanderous innuendo. That has been true since the end of the vacation in the Garden. But Paul tells us that in the last days, “devil-speech” (for that’s what it is) will reach epidemic proportions. Men and women will not consider the destructive power of their words. They will judge according to the media, the culture and their own feelings. Opinion polls will be more important than the truth. In the last days the power of the word will be turned inside-out and vocal vomit will be the norm. The stench will smell to high heaven but those who spew it forth will not even notice their own regurgitated filth.
The words of God are the most powerful dynamics in the world. They create. They heal. They forgive. They judge. They condemn. God created moral free agents with the same linguistic capability. The risk God took was enormous. Suddenly there existed in the well-ordered world an agent who could alter the course of God’s purpose with a word. The story of the first seduction is about this alternative world of words. The father of lies was present in the Garden and he continues to ply his trade by training his victims to imitate his methods. Just a tiny variation from ‘emet is all that is necessary to push the public into the arms of the satanic utterances.
Let’s pause right here. Do you believe that last statement? Do you really believe that all it takes is a tiny variation of God’s words in order to undermine, misdirect and delay God’s purposes? Do you really believe that God allows human free agents the capability to change the face of the universe with an idea, a proclamation, a creed? I’m going to suppose that you do, just for the sake of argument. Because if you do, then why are you going to church on Sunday? Why are you eating pork? Why are you following the Church’s holidays but not the Scriptural ones? Why do you waffle on the question of circumcision? Why do you think “Jesus” changed the Law? Where, o where, is the scriptural support for any of these common assumptions? Did God really change His mind when His own Son said that the Torah will not pass away until heaven and earth pass away—or maybe until the Pope says that the Torah passed away? Who is the father of lies now? Who is following the father of lies now?
In the last days, says Paul, a great number of people will be “malicious gossips.” But that’s not really what he said, is it? What he said is that in the last days a great number of people will speak Satan’s vocabulary. Now who do you suppose that is?
Topical Index: malicious gossips, diaboloi, devil, Accuser, 2 Timothy 3:3
ADDITIONAL NOTE: The description of ha-satan in the Tanakh is very different from the Christian idea of Satan. There was considerable development of this idea in the period before the apostolic writings and the concept was further enlarged in apostolic material and subsequent Christian and Jewish thought. You might be surprised how much of our thinking about Satan really isn’t biblical at all. Start with the article in TDNT, Vol. 2, pp. 70 ff.
Given the reverence to the Adversary by the Greek based “church”, the gossip may be true that “Satanism” is a denomination of “Christianity”
1T”Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.”
This is talking about the church, is it not?
Great Expectations
There was a place were the wrath of God and the chesed of God (the lovingkindnesses-the mercies) of Elohim met together and were on full display for all to see.
That place? The exectution stake, – the Tslav, the cross.
Today is (for many) the Sabbath Day. A day of rest, reflection, recuperation and repentance. All of the above. We are to remember ~ It is of the LORD’s mercies (chesed) that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ~ (Lamentations 3.28) But what “guarantee” (for lack of a better word) do we have to “confidently expect” or “hope” in the chesed (the mercies) of our Elohim?
Better by far than any earthly guarantee or contract, it is the New(er) Covenant, established forever (for whosoever will), a covenant written, revealed and ratified by the blood of the sinless, spotless, saving and Sovereign Lamb of God. (Luke 2.20)
For those who are observing the Sabbath today, reflect on this: Remember the words of the messenger to Mary? “You shall call His Name “Y’shua” for He shall save (deliver) His people from their sins.” Why? – Is this “saving” or deliverance necessary? Do we “need” to be saved? Do we need to be “born from Above?” Is this “new birth” necessary? After all, we may seem to be- (appear to be) “good” people!
There was a righteous man, a “good” man, (a Tzadik) by the name of Nicodemus. One who was a “ruler of the Jews,” – No doubt, one who was highly revered and respected in his community! But what were the direct and personal words spoken by our Savior to Nicodemus (one whose very name means: “Superior”). “Nicodemus, verily-verily (truly-truly, amen-amen) I say unto you, “YOU sir, MUST be born from Above!” Why? Didn’t The Messiah know who this man was? Yes, “intimately!”- Nicodemus, (just like the rest of us) had a need. That need, (according to The Anointed One) was for a regenerative “rebirth!” (John 3:1-21)
If this man, (a tzadik) – one who had risen through the ranks, one highly thought of, one who was a moral leader, a righteous ruler among his people needed to be “born from Above,” – then where does that leave us? What hope do we have?
~ So there (now) remains a Shabbat-keeping, (a holy, Sabbath rest) for God’s people. For the one who has entered God’s rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his. Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience ~
~ So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious Cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it (trusts in Him) will never be stricken with panic ~ (Isaiah 28:16 )
~ You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! ~ (Isaiah 26.3)
~ Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture? ~ The stone the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone ~ (Psalm 118.22)
~ and upon this Rock, – I will build my kyriakos, ~ (those) “belonging to the LORD!” (Matthew 16.18)
And dear friends, ~ Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption? ~ (1 Corinthians 1.30)
~ Blessed IS the Name of the LORD! ~
Mary was the first to hear it,
Name that came from heaven above;.
Name that raises souls from darkness,
This!, – the only Name worth singing of!
New and Improved
>> Do you really believe that all it takes is a tiny variation of God’s words in order to undermine, misdirect and delay God’s purposes? <<
Yes, I believe this.. – but why? Why do I believe? Because "it is written!"
Hear the words of the Deceiver: – it won't take long, for there are "only" three! "Hath God said?"
Did God really say that? Oh? Well, friends! Certainly God is not capable of saying what He means and He certainly doesn't mean what He says! After all, God clearly, cannot communicate to the very creatures He created! Right?
That being the case.. we are free to doubt Him. Let us then, simply, subtlety, cunningly, craftily "twist" His words, – ever so slightly..
The Original? "God hath said."
The "new and improved (?) – "Hath God said?"
Do you see it? Just a slight "modification" – just a slight "twisting" of words!
This is not "slight of hand," – this is "slight of serpent-tongue!"
How we (all) do err.. ~ not knowing the Scriptures- nor the power of God! ~
When our LORD met our Adversary, He had three words for the Deceiver.
(Are we capable of remembering these three words?) Not once, not twice, but three times these glorious, life-imparting, life-saving, wondrous words were spoken by our Savior – (Now hear this!!) "IT IS WRITTEN!"
What does the written word of God reveal? Friend, – not only "what" but (far greater!) – "Who." And not only "Who," but "why?" And not only "why?"- but "How!" – Shall we continue?
Now Hear This
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
-Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God!
Oh? – but is there more? lol! Shall we?
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God!
And? Shall we "go on?" Why, – of course!
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Do we now, yet have "a place" to stand? – A firm foundation?
Standing on the promises of Christ our LORD,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God!
Deceiver, – Doubter, (I'm about to get happy!!)
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
~ The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower ~ (Psalm 18.2)
~ I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges Me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God ~ (Luke 12.8)
~ and the Word of the LORD (both written and Living!) endures forever! ~
Thank you so much Carl!! I really needed this.. Thank you so much for being obedient to our wonderful, loving and amazing Father. He used you today to touch me where I needed to be touched and once again I am STANDING on the promises of Christ my Savior!!
Skip, thanks for this enlightenment. In the days of every scary movie trying to glorify the demonic, is there a book on the true story of ha-satan that you suggest reading from the Hebrew perspective?
Um…what is TDNT?
“Theological Dictionary of the New Testament”
“Suddenly there existed in the well-ordered world an agent who could alter the course of God’s purpose with a word.” It causes me to tremble! “In the last days the power of the word will be turned inside-out and vocal vomit will be the norm. The stench will smell to high heaven but those who spew it forth will not even notice their own regurgitated filth.” Gag reflex has kicked in! Yet, I know I wouldn’t pass the scrutiny of every communication weighed for “truth.” Your TW reminds me of a stanza of a poem I wrote: “The wisest among us could not walk the walk. To make matters worse, we were able to talk. The sounds that came forth from the sin covered hearts tore peoples and nations and families apart. We needed a Savoir; that much was clear. But, would we believe when He finally came near?” I do appreciate all your hard work, and faithful diligence, even though it is often painful!
An inch off-center from God’s Word
is like a million miles off-course.
God’s Word ends with such a warning
in Rev 22: 18-19. The same appears also
in Deut 4: 2 and Prov 30: 6.
BEWARE!
Stay the course. Stand firm. “Follow Me.”
Jn 10: 1-5 are insightful and assuring words
for followers.
What is TDNT?
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed by Kittel
Skip, you suggested reading a certain page from a certain volume of the TDNT to gain a deeper understanding of our correct (or incorrect) thinking about Satan. In researching whether I wanted to purchase a set of TDNT, I discovered several “personal opinions” of the TDNT Editors and Translator, such as the following example, and decided that I could get the same type of information from sitting in front of just about any “Pastor” in Sunday Church, so I decided to save my money… Why pay money and spend time reading in order to be deceived?
This is just one random sample from the TDNT website.
E. δικαιοσύνη in Paul.
1. Origin and Presupposition of the Pauline Message of Justification.
The starting-point for an understanding of what Paul means by the δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ is provided by legal righteousness. According to R. 9:30 the Law is a νόμος δικαιοσύνης because it demands righteousness. Moses himself according to R. 10:5 (אAD*) writes: ὅτι τὴν δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐκ νόμου ὁ ποιήσας ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτῇ.
With δικαιοσύνη ἐκ νόμου we should compare Test. D. 6:10: κολλήθητε τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ τοῦ θεοῦ (S1 add νόμου τοῦ); S. Bar. 63:3: Hezekiah trusted in his works and built on his righteousness, cf. 67:6, iustitia ex lege; 51:3, qui nunc iustificati sunt in lege mea.
Here, then, δικαιοσύνη ἐκ νόμου is a condition of life. But this refers to a stage in the economy of salvation which is now past. In truth there is now no δικαιοσύνη ἐκ νόμου. To be sure, on the ground of the Law blameless conduct is possible as a relative fulfilment of what is written (Phil. 3:6: κατὰ δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐν νόμῳ γενόμενος ἄμεμπτος). But the new knowledge of Paul is that true righteousness before God does not derive from the Law. Thus δικαιοσύνη ἐκ νόμου is denied in Gl. 3:21. The relative and questionable righteousness which derives from the Law (ἡ ἰδία δικαιοσύνη, R. 10:3; Phil. 3:9: ἐμὴ δικαιοσύνη ἡ ἐκ νόμου, in both cases as self-attained righteousness) is ζημία and σκύβαλα in relation to Christ. Thus δικαιοσύνη cannot be achieved by …
As with every theological text or lexicon, one must sort through the presuppositions. What is valuable about the TDNT and the TDOT is the etymological background and the linguistic relationships. And when it goes on sale for $99, it is well worth it, especially since it is considered the epitome of research in the Greek NT text. You might as well know what is being taught from scholars if you want to raise issues about their points of view.
Who do I suppose that person is? It could be anyone, anywhere, at any time, doing any sort of secular job or someone who ministers the Word of God-from the Hebrew or the Greek. No one is exempt from the possibility of being used by the enemy of our souls, because we live on a battlefield. God’s enemy began with asking questions to bring confusion to Eve’s simple understanding..moving out (trusting that confusion) brought on by those malicious questions of God’s Word to us individually, will always destroy our faith. Our cooperation for our safety and protection lie in our determination to keep our eyes..our focus..our heart’s desire on being one with the One who went before us and made a way to the Father for us. Life on this battlefield has been a progression. After the “great startover” God told Noah, “Everything that lives and moves will be your food. I gave you green plants as food, I now give you everything else. But you are not to eat meat with blood in it. Blood is life. In addition, I will demand your blood for your life. I will demand it from any animal or from any person. I will demand the life of any person who kills another person. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans his blood will be shed, because in the Image of God, God made humans…” Gen. 9
By Moses day, a whole series of rules had to be activated-as court room protocol – for man to continue to survive. This could not go on forever….man would never meet all the increasing requirements of the law…never. So the progression continued…not a “let’s erase all that and start over” – but the need for a higher value to cover men’s lives would be needed…something much more valuable than an animal sacrifice or grain offering or behavioral requirements….this just would not do it anymore….man would be lost forever in a maze of restrictions and requirements…God’s Heart of Love could not accept that. No, this blood sacrifice would have to be of the highest value-higher than any other blood – because once “in court” it had to be the highest value unmet by any other challenger. I can only imagine the scene…the time He always knew would come- had come…if a human would be born with the Father’s DNA, blood type-NOTHING could EVER trump that sacrifice. One human, BUT with Blood powerful enough to cover all the sins of man…then it will be done, once and for all. As He hung on that cross, the weight of all those generations of uncovered sin, must have bore down into the nails. History tells us that at 3 o clock…on the other side of town that day, a Jewish Priest put a knife to the throat of a lamb sacrifice and its blood ran down the altar. At that precise moment – 3 o clock – Jesus, hanging on the cross cried out, “It is finished!”-as His God DNA Blood ran down into the earth. The ground shook and the veil in the Temple that hung between God’s Presence and man fell to the floor. It WAS finished. “Clearly, through one person’s disobedience humanity became sinful, and through one Person’s obedience humanity will receive God’s approval.” Romans 5. Will everyone accept that gift or would they continue to question it? It’s everyone’s own choice. Sin and its consequences progressed to a point where man would be lost forever if he had to stand on his own obedience to a set of rules. God would give the means- the choice would be ours. “I am placing a rock in Zion that people trip over, a large rock that people find offensive. Whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed.”
Life on this battlefield demands our full attention, and a relevant understanding of what has gone before us so we don’t fall into confusion by the same old questions meant only to confuse and question God’s faithfulness, His Reality, and His overwhelming Love for us. Having said that, I have a question for us.
So what does the Sacrifice of this Blood – a Blood more valuable than any thing in heaven or earth – and the personal pain and sacrifice needed to give that Blood – what does that do to the deepest part of my being, or yours? I hope it causes a Love and overwhelming gratitude to stir that is unlike any other in our lives..a love that will follow no matter where it is led or what is asked of it. It is here that “one new man” appears..at the foot of this bloody cross and with a Temple separation veil laying on the floor a few miles away. “He brought an end to the commandments and demands found in Moses’ Teachings so that He could take Jewish and non-Jewish people and create one new humanity in Himself. So He made peace. He also brought them back to God in one Body by His cross, on which He killed the hostility…so Jewish and non-Jewish people can go to the Father in One Spirit.” Ephesians 2. The “hostility” has had the Blood of God poured all over it..don’t allow the enemy’s pointless questions to attempt to stir it back to life…we are all loved, redeemed, valued beyond our wildest imaginations….rest in that sacrifice and love Him completely-we are truly, all one in Him-let go the hostility and rest.
” Is Paul suggesting that in the last days “devils” will be running around all over the place? Hardly! ”
I disagree. True enough, superhuman spirit beings, (daimon – demons) are not running around all over the place, but that’s not the same word as devil, or diabolos.
As I believe Skip agrees, the better modern translation of diabolos is not “devil”, but simply “adversary”, and no doubt, there are millions of our adversaries running around all over the place. Should we not just understand this word as some kind of human adversary? They could be a anyone living among us.
An “accuser” may also be an adversary, but that doesn’t necessarily make him the “father of lies.” While the great dragon/Adversary/Satan is the accuser of our brethren, (Rev 12:9-10), the Jews were also false accusers of Paul, (Acts 23:30).
“Didn’t Yeshua call the Accuser the father of lies?
I’m not so sure He did. By capitalizing “Accuser” we are led to believe this being is superhuman, but the context says he was “a murderer from the beginning.”
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
I know the serpent lied from the beginning but I do not read of him murdering anyone at the beginning. But I do read of Cain murdering Abel from the beginning and no doubt he also lied. So, we could also understand this devil, or accuser, as Cain the human and see him as the “father” of evil humans who have the same “lusts” as him and not some superhuman spirit being living in another dimension.
The murder of Abel began with a lie in Cain’s mind…some accusation, some insecurity, some jealousy-just as was spoken to Eve, came and resulted in one brother murdering another. Sin is a progression. A bank robber doesn’t wake up one morning after living a morally correct life and decide to rob a bank. First, there are a series of events that shape the thought life and lead to either robbing or bank or saying, “That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever had!” Aways, a horrible end begins with a single thought. It remains our choice to determine what thoughts we will listen to and shape our lives around. It is crucial to recognize and follow the Voice of God as we recognize and reject the voice of the enemy. Our Redeemer’s Blood cries out from the ground as did Abel’s for saving grace over all who willingly receives Him.
Skip, I have Olive Tree bible software on all my Apple devices. For $31.99 I can download the abridged “little Kittel”. I know no Greek; it is gibberish to me. Thus, the quotation from the TDNT by Tom in a previous post has very limited meaning for me. Are you familiar with this abridgment and would you consider this to be a good investment for a non-scholar like me?
The “little” Kittel is a good buy, even at twice that price.
Voices can come from both within and without. Similarly, when the twelve tribes went to investigate the Land, only Kaleb and Yehoshua spoke the words of courage that the giants in that land can be conquered, yet the rest of the ten tribes did not receive those words, emphasized that folks not having the right/wholesome spirit in following YHWH will not receive them.
Voices heard from within, can be drowned when the yetzer hara יֵצֶר הַרַע ,
the choice of decisions made according to the evil inclinations/impulses, is denied. This in some way reveals one’s maturity in discernment, learning to deny the beastly/self nature, to be inclined towards good- יֵצֶר הַרַע yetzer hatov in a learning/growing process.
” What he said is that in the last days a great number of people will speak Satan’s vocabulary” It’s happening already!!!
Shalom.
’emet What does it mean? I have searched Strong’s, can’t find any word like it.
Emet is generally translated as “truth” but it derived from the same verb as emunah (“faithfulness”) so it’s more than being factually correct. It has to do with giving information that is reliable, trustworthy, that is something in which you can have confidence. Use the search box on this page and put in emet — I think you will find a number of TW’s that reference this word.
just one small addition. emet is not so much about giving “information” but rather providing guidance for living. It isn’t the “facts,” but rather the veracity of the one communicating.
Thanks, I did try the Search box but am technologically challenged. Got it now.