my soap journal

Scripture:

Matthew 4:5-6 the devil uses Scripture to tempt Jesus.

Observation:

Yesterday I read an article posted on Catalyst written by Francis Chan which discussed, within a conversation about what a church looks like, the difference between exegesis and eisegesis.  In a summary of that section, he wrote

In eisegesis, you are surrendering the Scriptures to your desires. In exegesis, you are surrendering your desires to the Scriptures.

I couldn’t help but think of this article when I see Satan attempting to wield Scripture.

Application:

It’s easy to justify my choices by extracting verses from their context and slapping them, like a stamp of approval, on things that don’t line up with God’s desire.  I want to be transformed by the Word, not to be a transformer of the Word.

Prayer:

Lord, send off sirens and alarms when I do this, then show me the truth you intended.  Thank you for this letter of love, help me treat it with respect.