[304 words]
“Need be bear monster.”
With hurricane Irma bearing down on Florida in September of 2017, officials in Manatee County held a press conference aimed at warning residents of the impending danger.
Being “in a pinch” to have a sign language interpreter at the news conference, officials brought in a member of the county marine rescue team who, it was reported, had an understanding of sign language. It turned out that he didn’t understand much at all.
As Robin DiSabatino of the Board of County Commissioners in Manatee County urged residents in low areas to seek higher ground, she made the statement, “We just need you to be safe.” But those who understand sign language saw, “Need be bear monster.”
Viewers who knew sign language were able to identify and expose the false signs (The Weather Channel, September 18, 2017).
While the messages received at the news conference seemed surreal, the danger of receiving unclear messages during a time of crisis was frighteningly real.
Spiritually, the danger of receiving unclear messages is frighteningly real.
In Mark 13:22 and Matthew 24:24, Jesus informed His followers that “false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.“
Second Thessalonians 2:9-10 warns of a time when Satan will use “all power and false signs and wonders” to deceive those who are perishing.
Satan tried twisting God’s own words in order to deceive Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus, who is the Word Himself, straightened God’s words out in order to expose Satan’s lies (Matthew 4:1-11).
One of the surest ways a person can protect himself from being deceived by Satan’s false signs is to learn the language.
Learning and knowing God’s word will give us the ability to identify and expose Satan’s false signs.
Troy Albers
Graeber Road church of Christ
Rosenberg, TX