When the devil tempted Our Lord Jesus in the wilderness, Christ always responded “it is written.” He used Scripture to combat the devil’s temptations. But the last temptation the evil one used was Scripture, “And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to guard you,’
and “‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (Luke 4:9-11).
The most dangerous deceptions include misquoted or twisted understandings of Scripture. St. Benedict’s Rule is full of erroneous interpretations of Scripture to justify monastic abuses like monks beating a brother monk with rods (disciplinary action).
The devil does the most damage when he uses scripture out of context, improperly, and to deceive. Many cults form from misunderstandings on purpose or in ignorance of Scripture; either the leader purposely twists Scripture to seize control of minds or is genuinely deceived themselves. This is why we must know Scripture well so that when the devil quotes it, we can respond as Jesus our Lord did, “And Jesus answered the devil, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:12-13). Amen.
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