Wednesday, October 21
The Birds of the Air
“It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.” -- Mark 4:31–32
The phrase “the fowls (birds, Matt. 13:32) of the air” is used twice in the multiple parables concerning the kingdom of God in Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 13. In the Parable of the Sower, in Luke 8:5 we read of the seed sown, “some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.” Who were these fowls? “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.” (Luke 8:12) In both Matthew 13 and Mark 4, these parables were given together. So it only stands to reason that the same warning given in, for instance, Mark 4:15 and 4:32 has a similar interpretation.
Yes, satan is the great counterfeiter, appearing even as angel of light! “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Cor. 11:14–15)
There is a saying popular amongst those who study Christian history that wherever God builds His church, satan builds a chapel! These parables refer to satan and his demons as scavenger birds, trying to pick over the dead carcasses of unbelievers. The devil is active in religion and even in what goes under the name Christian. He does not mind people being religious as long as they do not hear, understand and respond to the precious gospel of Jesus Christ. Beware of counterfeits lurking in the shadows of what God is doing!
Pray and ask God for discernment and protection in our time of great spiritual deception.
Thank God for opening your heart to the truth of the gospel and for His hand of protection, keeping us from being victims of the fowls of the air!
1 comment:
"There is a saying popular amongst those who study Christian history that wherever God builds His church, satan builds a chapel! These parables refer to satan and his demons as scavenger birds, trying to pick over the dead carcasses of unbelievers. The devil is active in religion and even in what goes under the name Christian. He does not mind people being religious as long as they do not hear, understand and respond to the precious gospel of Jesus Christ. Beware of counterfeits lurking in the shadows of what God is doing!" This is so true!! Thanks Brother Peter!
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