What “We Think” He Says…..

Sometimes we ask questions we really don’t want answers to. Unbelievers do this quite often. The irony throughout scripture always makes its point clear. The religious leaders were too busy being “religious” that they missed the point of God (Jesus) being right there in their presence. “Does He think He’s God?” Yes, He does, because He is. When we doubt God’s existence, or for those that acknowledge it, doubt His ability, these thoughts come from only one place, the Devil Himself. How do I know this? It says it right here in today’s scripture. Jesus’ response to them questioned the condition of their hearts. Satan uses “being religious” with the same motive of ignorance or rebellion, to twist truth and turn our focus on ourselves and away from God. Being “religious”, even though it makes people think you are a God follower, only deceives it’s practitioner away from what God really wants. And that is having a selfless heart fully committed to Him and the promotion of His kingdom. Being “religious” only promotes pride, the exact opposite of what God desires for us. It’s a deceptive practice twisted by Satan to get your full attention and dedication to destroy the Gospel by doing what you think is right. There’s a fine line between serving God by doing what He actually says, and serving God by doing what “you think” He says.

Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to His own town. 2 Some people brought to Him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, My child! Your sins are forgiven.”3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does He think He’s God?”4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so He asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?6 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”7 And the man jumped up and went home! 8 Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority. Matthew 9:1-8a