I had the privilege Tuesday of attending a rally at the Georgia State Capital for former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran who was recently fired because of his Biblical beliefs. If you are not aware of the story, feel free to click here when you are finished reading the blog and you can catch up on the events of the last couple of months.

At the heart of the conflict is an increasing view in our culture that the Bible is not the authoritative standard for faith and morality. This, of course, comes as a shock to no one since we have all witnessed over the last several decades the decline of moral accountability and the rise of moral relativism. This attack on the authority of God’s Word is not new; in fact, the devil has used this strategy since his first encounter with Adam and Eve.

When tempting Eve in Genesis 3:1-7, the devil first created doubt as to the content of God’s instructions to Adam and Eve (“did God actually say…), then the truthfulness of God’s instruction (“you will not surely die…), and finally the intent of God’s plan (God knows that …you will be like God…). For millennia, the devil has used the same strategy – create doubt, distrust, and disobedience.

At the core of our culture’s moral relativism is the denial of the authority of God’s Word. Chief Cochran wrote and self-published a book to help men understand the grace and forgiveness available only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The book is based on Biblical truth, and as is often the case, Biblical truth offends those who do not wish to live under God’s authority. If you would like a copy of the book you can purchase one by clicking here to go to Amazon.

So, what can we as believers in Jesus do in these times when God’s Word is under attack? Let me suggest 3 important practices.

First, we must KNOW God’s Word so that we do not fall prey to the devil’s trick of doubt, distrust, and disobedience. Now more that ever, we need to regularly READ and STUDY the Bible. The best way to recognize the devil’s lie is to be confidentially acquainted with God’s truth.

Second, we must OBEY God’s Word. We cannot expect others to uphold a standard to which we do not hold ourselves. We must not rationalize and marginalize the Bible, but rather submit ourselves to ALL of its teaching.

Finally, we need to unashamedly STAND for the principles of God’s Word, encourage others who publicly stand in that Word, and challenge our leaders to lead according to the TRUTH of God’s Word. Jesus has called us as His followers to be a positive influence and a shining example to those around us (Matthew 5:13-16).

Do not let the devil trick you with his oldest scheme of doubt, then distrust, and disobedience.