devil – Three Minute Bible

February 17, 2025February 17, 2025

Colossians 3:9b – White Lies

Do not lie to each other …

Summary: Wondering about white lies leads us to wonder about the nature of truth as well.

The “Food for Thought” question at the end of the last meditation was, “Are ‘white lies’ okay in church?” This sparked comments that raised more questions.

The consensus in the comments was that we shouldn’t tell “white lies.” Lies are the province of the devil, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Ergo, Christians should avoid lies of any kind. I agree, but what does that mean?

February 12, 2025February 12, 2025

Colossians 3:8d – The Opposite of Good

Picture of a man with a devil on his shoulder whispering in his ear.

[… rid yourselves of] … malice …

Summary: Words have meanings, and meanings are important. “Malice” may not be a word we use very often anymore, but it is a good word that describes a very common condition.

One of the things Paul encourages us to get rid of is “malice.” Malice is a great word, but one we don’t often use. The simplest definition I found for it is “the intention or desire to do evil.”* More explicitly, it is a desire to do harm or cause suffering.

Okay … “evil” is a small word, but it carries a big stick. What does “evil” mean?

December 14, 2023December 14, 2023

Galatians 1:7b – Standing for Jesus

Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion …

Summary: Satan doesn’t have a lot of power compared to God’s power, but he does have the ability to cause confusion wherever he goes.

December 2, 2023December 3, 2023

Galatians 1:2b – Three Groups

To the churches in Galatia:

Summary: The churches in Galatia have become a battlefield, and they don’t even know it.

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023

Ephesians 6:16c – Potshots

… the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Summary: Today, we look at the devil’s attempts to put a flaming arrow in our Lord’s back. Spoiler Alert: It doesn’t go well for Satan.

October 11, 2023October 12, 2023

Ephesians 6:11b – Soul Wars

… so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Summary: Understanding who the devil is helps us understand his schemes and why we need to take a stand.

September 21, 2023September 21, 2023

Ephesians 5:31 – Uncontrolled Growth

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Summary: Following the bread crumbs in Paul’s thinking leads us to a meditation on how cancer affects the body. How does the metaphor of cancer provide guidance for the modern family and church?

July 15, 2023July 17, 2023

Ephesians 4:25a – Snakes and Doves

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood …

Summary: The devil is the master of lies. You might say he is the father of falsehood. Paul is guiding us away from Satan’s influence.

January 18, 2023January 18, 2023

Matthew 4:6 – If / Then

… throw yourself down.

Summary: The second temptation of Jesus is a doozy. Satan appeals to Jesus’ ego to see if he can find a crack in the armor of the Son of God.

October 8, 2022October 9, 2022

Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part IV

Son

… and he began to teach them.

Summary: Jesus’ role as a “son” defines him in an entirely different way from who he is as a God, Creator, and King.