“Even the devil can quote Scripture,” I said during a conversation recently with a close friend of mine who was navigating the emotional pain of realizing how someone she thought had loved her could say “true things” but live quite the contrary.

Most of us want to think the best of people, don’t we?  We want to be able to take them at their word and believe that their intentions and motives are good.  Yet, history is full of folks who say one thing, but mean or do something totally different.

The example that just takes the cake, though, comes from the book of Luke.  Jesus had spent 40 days fasting and praying and on the heels of it, the devil came and tempted Him in three different ways. 

With a completely self-serving motive and zero interest in Jesus’s good, the enemy quoted Scripture during his last attempt to trap Jesus (thinking this strategy might be the key to get the Son of Man to buy into his request).

After bringing Jesus to the top of a temple roof, he said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here.  For it is written: He will give His angels charge over you, to protect you, and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (Luke 4: 9 & 10)

The devil, well-known throughout the ages for his lies, deceit, and manipulation, was spouting BIBLE VERSES!  He quoted an accurate fact, but he wasn’t speaking the truth. 

Notice the difference?

Speaking the truth comes from a heart postured in a right relationship with Jesus.  Anyone can spout Bible verses (or any other “fact”).  It doesn’t mean they believe it themselves and it doesn’t mean they have your best interest at heart.

As Jesus was concluding His famous Sermon on the Mount, He said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?  Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you…’” (Matthew 7: 21 – 23)

People can say all sorts of Christian-sounding things and do some incredible Christian-looking deeds (note those examples above)!  But, put plainly, that alone does not make one a Christ-follower.  That only comes from a heart fully surrendered in obedience to Jesus. 

Jesus was emphasizing relationship in Matthew 7 which is still the foundational key today to any truth-speaking or fruit-bearing.

“…every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.  A good tree can’t bear bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit…you’ll recognize them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7: 17 & 18, 20)

According to Jesus, we should be able to recognize folks “by their fruit”:

*What does their life look like?

*What pattern or display of being completely surrendered to Jesus is evident in their day to day walk?

*Do they consistently put God first and love others next?

As a Christ-follower, it is necessary to be wise, kind, gracious, merciful, and discerning.  Jesus modeled that for us as He loved people perfectly.

Remember, even the devil can quote Scriptures.

Until next time, Grace and Glory!