Partial Truths

Demons and devils use the truth… in support of a larger lie

Example 1: Satan quotes Scripture to Jesus

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” (Psalm 91:11-12) 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” —Matthew 4:1–7

Example 2: Demonized Slave Girl

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. —Acts 16:16–18

PARTIAL truth is used to support PREFERRED truth

Leveraging truth to tell larger lies isn’t confined to the unseen realm. It plays out in…

MORALS & ETHICS – “God made me this way and God doesn’t make mistakes! The Bible says not to judge” (Matthew 7:1)

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” —John 7:24

The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. —1 Corinthians 2:15

POLITICS – “I’ll rip a Bible quote out of context because polls indicate it can help me get re-elected!”

EDUCATION – “I will parrot that the Bible promotes slavery, genocide, and the subjugation of women in order to get acceptance from academia and adoration from my recruits!”

CHURCHIANITY – “Division is bad! Let’s go start another denomination…”

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. (see also Ecclesiastes 12:12) —1 Corinthians 4:6

What’s the solution? Use ALL of the Bible to interpret PARTS of the Bible

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. —Ephesians 6:13–15

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (see also Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) —Acts 20:26–27

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. —Matthew 4:8-11

Which partial truth should get my attention first? The Accuser tells the truth when He accuses me of sedition against God

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. —Revelation 12:9–11

But there is more truth!