In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus reveals several strategies which the enemies of Christ use to accomplish Satan’s goals. See Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-15. I believe the primary interpretation of the parable concerns fruitfulness of God’s Word in a person’s life, rather than it being restricted to a discourse on who gets into heaven or not.

The parable tells a story about a person who sows seed, and the seeds fell in four specified environments: the wayside, on rocky ground, among thorns, and in fertile soil. Jesus explains that the seed is the word of God, and the four soils represent those who hear the preaching of the word. In relating the parable to spiritual warfare, Jesus expressly states that Satan removes the word from the hearts of those who do not understand its meaning (at the wayside). Although Jesus does not describe the devil’s participation any further, I believe that the whole of scripture provides ample evidence that the devil is at work throughout the full story.

Relative to the spiritual warfare matrix, each axis of advance corresponds with one of the four enemy actions: light vs. darkness (Blind), life vs. destruction (Harass), truth vs. deception (Deceive), and love vs. division (Contain).

According to an Associated Press news article, a man who believed he saw the “mark of the beast”, amputated his own hand with a circular saw, microwaved it, and then phoned the authorities who afterwards placed him into protective custody in the mental health unit of the local hospital.

Scripture References:

There are 5 scripture references to the mark of the beast which will be forcibly inscribed on the forehead or the right hand in the tribulation period: Revelation 13:16-18; 14:8-12; 16:1-3; 19:19-21 and 20:3-5.

Possibly, this man who cut off his own hand reacted to these Bible verses and irrationally incorporated Jesus’ saying “…if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you…” recorded in Matthew 5:29-30; 18:7-9, and Mark 9:42-48.

Errors in Biblical Interpretation and Application: 

I don’t know if the man in Idaho who cut off his hand was mentally ill or not. But he misconstrued scripture in his desperation. 

The mark of the beast:

Note: I acknowledge there are differences of opinion concerning the timeline of the events in Revelation. I will not cover them all in this article. From the pre-tribulation, pre-millennial Second Coming of Christ doctrinal view… there is no Beast on the world scene today unless you and I have missed the Rapture. Regardless:

• the mark will be a brand on the forehead or the right hand. What would this man have done if the mark were on his forehead?
• the mark will be forced on everyone alive… the consequences of refusing the mark will be decapitation. You wouldn’t have to do it yourself.
• the mark will be mandatory for buying and selling… conducting all commerce.
• the mark will be co-requisite with worship of the Beast.

Cutting off hands, etc…

As a conservative Christian, I do believe in the literal interpretation of scripture… but only in context to the individual passage and the full Bible.

The Bible verses concerning the mark of the beast should be taken word for word… not loosely interpreted to apply to everything from barcodes to tattoos, birthmarks, national ID cards, credit cards, microchip bio-implants, and whatever else one may imagine…

That said, I do not believe Jesus’saying “…if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you…” should be applied literally:

• If Jesus had intended to be taken literally, there would be examples given among his Apostles. Peter, for instance, would have had to cut out his own tongue. Every other time Peter opened his mouth he got into trouble or offended somebody.
• The full record of the gospels… people came to Jesus to be healed, not to be disfigured. The blind had their eyesight restored, rather than the other way around.
• Jesus healed even his enemies: Luke 22:47-53.
• There is no biblical account of any follower of Christ literally applying this teaching.

This saying of Jesus should be taken figuratively:

• Jesus often spoke in terms of physical reality when talking about spiritual realities, concepts, and ideas. All of the parables, etc…
• If it were sensible to go to the extreme of even amputating a limb, or plucking out your eyes, in order to enter into the kingdom of God then surely giving up ones’s favorite argument against God, or repenting of sin, would be an even better idea… and easier to do.
• Jesus taught that it is impossible for man to save himself by self-improvement or reform. Matthew 19:16-26.
• Jesus taught that gaining the cumulative wealth of the entire world is not worth losing your own soul. Mark 8:35-37.

If you wish to follow Jesus… do not cut off parts of your body! Just change your mind! Repent of your sin. Stopping putting your faith in the things of this world… believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Then one doesn’t have to worry about ever bearing the mark of the beast, unless I’m wrong about the Rapture in which case we just might be in danger of getting beheaded soon for lack of it!

A Bible study of Proverbs Chapter 9. Bible verses: Proverbs 9 KJV @ Battle Focused ; Proverbs 9 @ Bible Gateway.

In Proverbs, Wisdom is ultimately exemplified by and fulfilled in the life Jesus Christ.

But in the first several chapters of the book, wisdom is also personified as a woman. See Proverbs 1:20-33; 3:13-19; 4:1-8; 7:4; and 8:1-36. Folly is also figuratively seen as the “strange woman” in Proverbs 2:16-19; 5:1-23; 6:24-35 and 7:5-27. (Note: The figurative does not lessen the warnings against committing actual adultery, fornication and idolatry.) Imagine if you will a father talking to his adolescent son about the choice between wisdom and folly in the context of his hormonal-driven favorite topic of discussion: women. This is Solomon after all!

The contrast between these two women culminates in this chapter… just prior to the beginning of the long tapestry of individual proverbial sayings collected in chapters 10 – 31.

The lady Wisdom in verses Prov 9:1-12; the harlot Folly in Prov 9:13 – 18.

The Location: the high places of the city – vs. 3 & 14. Wisdom is at the ”highest”; Folly is close by.

For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel. — Martin Luther (1483 – 1546) Table Talk

More about the devil.

The Audience: the simple who are searching for understanding - vs. 4 & 16

The Invitation: let him turn in here, come to me - vs. 4 & 16

The Enticement: bread – vs. 5 & 17.  Teachings, doctrine, or philosophy: See also Matthew 16:5-12 and John 6:26- 58.

Wisdom also offers mingled wine. (Mark 2:21-22) Folly also offers stolen waters, in secrecy and privacy, as a pleasant substitution for living waters. (John 7:37-38) Examine the source.

The Consequence: life or death – vs. 6 & 18. Examine the fruit.

 Choose one. Choose wisely.

Lady Wisdom points the way thru the right door: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (v.10) So keep reading, studying, and meditating on the rest of Proverbs, and all of God’s word!

My personal Bible study with commentary and devotional thoughts:

Bible verses: see Proverbs 17 KJV @ Battle Focused ; Proverbs 17 @ Bible Gateway

Pr 17:1 Our culture worships success and is willing to sacrifice anything and everyone to achieve it. We praise the ability to handle stress, 7-day work weeks, and late nights at the office… while pitying the families shattered by it and mourning those poor souls who die an early death because of it. Don’t make a living. Get a life!

17:2 We owe our employees more than a meager paycheck when they are productive. God’s word teaches that they deserve a generous share of the wealth they generate and an equal share of the status and the privilege enjoyed by the family of the employer.

17:3 The tribulations of verse 1 are self-made and should be avoided. However, that does not mean that our lives should be totally carefree without any stress. God uses the very worst days of our lives, whether cooked up by hell itself or in the kitchen of our own foolishness, to lead us towards the right path, to refine us, and to mold us into His image.

17:7 I wish we could all remember this at election time. It isn’t the eloquence of the speech, nor the smoothness of the presentation, but rather the character of the person that counts. It is also helpful to remember who God calls a “fool” rather than who the opposing political party mocks as one.

17:9 God sought Adam and Eve in the garden as they hid, naked and ashamed in their disobedience, and then He covered them. He sent His own Son to seek lost sheep and to not only cover us but to cleanse us from our sin. Oh, How He Loves US! And oh, how He treasures our love in return!

17:11;20 Revolution is sometimes a good thing. Thomas Jefferson said so! I am exceedingly grateful to his kind. But… often if not usually, so called revolutionaries are nothing more than rebels without a cause. The only thing they really value is the sound of their own voice. To tell everyone else how everything is wrong… until they get in power.

17:12 Any real wisdom found in these words of mine on this page, on this web site, or tumbling from my lips somewhere doesn’t come from me. I often feel that someone should be running down the street in front of me screaming “Robert’s coming!” as loudly as they would of a marauding bear. Ever feel the same?

17:14 How often do we go out of our way to have a knock-down, drag-out bloody fight? Not counting those of us who paid to do so, or who really enjoy a night in jail. Probably, not often if ever. On the other hand, how often do we bring up a small issue for discussion that we absolutely know is going to cause an argument? Don’t.

17:15;26 That said… “abomination” is an ugly word these days. Most people who don’t read the Bible think it is only used in sentences relating to homosexuality. Not! This verse deals with justice: it is equally wrong to condemn the just as to justify the wicked. How does that apply to the controversial issues of the day?

17:17 “A friend loves at all times…” How does this apply to loyalty when everyone wants their head delivered on a platter? When the friend is wrong/guilty? When they’re in political office? The preacher who got caught? The friend or family member who just came “out”? Or, your fundamentalist, evangelical Christian co-worker?

17:18 Do I ever do something when I know beforehand that doing so is going to get me into trouble? With the spouse, the boss, the government or the media? Do I then flash my credentials or otherwise flaunt my position to justify my wrongdoing? The Apostle Paul wrote that we shouldn’t exercise our liberty at the expense of others.

17:22 Have you taken your medicine today? Or, are you so dry that everything shrivels up and blows away when you walk by?

17:27-28 Now you tell me!!! I’m the quiet, shy type! It’s hard to get a word out of me. Honest! Oh, just stop it already.

Add your insights, answers, questions, etc in the comments. May God bless you today!

My personal Bible study with commentary and devotional thoughts:

Bible verses: see Proverbs 14 KJV @ Battle Focused ; Proverbs 14 @ Bible Gateway

The question is what do I write down. Notes on every verse? Boy that would be boring and dead. How about something that the Holy Spirt reveals to me? That might be awfully spare material to post for these first steps. So  don’t know; I hope He does!

Pr 14:1 We live in a culture bent on destruction. Even our churches are primed more to tear down, rather than to edify, a Bible word meaning “build up”.  To the point of this verse, women who are by nature nurturing, can be malevently destructive beyond measure. It may be a case of revenge for past wrongs by our forefathers, but most divorces today are initiated by women.

I feel that I should not develop these comments too far at the moment… the intent is His word in me, not merely my words written down.

14:9 Today’s culture says there is no sin, but it’s nothing new. The 60’s “if it feels good, do it” debauchery is expressed these days as “if that works for you, fine, I like hiking”. You may find comfort in a “god”, I find tranquility when I walk in the woods. No Creator. No God to be accountable to. No aboslutes, absolutely. You keep your idea of right and wrong, morality and “sin” to yourself. God calls such people “fools”.

14:14 The difference between a “self-made man”, and the man God blesses. The question is: “Where do I seek provision and reward?”. From God’s hands, or as a result of my own efforts? He blesses the work of my hands when they are guided by His ways and His will, and the result is “much fruit”.  But when I rebel or backslide, the consequences are my own responsibility.

14:21 Ouch!! I am tempted to despise some poor wretch of a human being almost everyday. Well, more honestlly, I’m guilty of despising my neighbor, not just being tempted to do so. Please, Father, forgive me. But we live in a day that many, many people live horribly wretched lives. I’m not talking about money, or clothing, or cars. More about character, and spirit. But Christ did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. He wept at the lost sheep of Jerusalem. What is my reaction to seeing people who live with the consequences of sin, and life without the presence of my Father God? “But by the grace of God, there go I”!! Yes, but then what? Act with mercy.

14:23 I sure hope so! Standing on the promises of God. Father, help me to do… not just dream and talk.

14:25 “true witness” — again one of the main purposes of this blog is to help me better know His word, so that I may be true to it when teaching others.

14:31 American culture honors success. Worships it. The poor are seen as failures. We think it’s their fault. Sometimes it is, often it isn’t. (cf verse 21 above) Human history is one of slavery. Today our “civilized” society looks agast at the mention of the word. But in practice, we are often more cruel than the worst slavemasters ever. Slaves may have been fed gruel to eat at the end of a day’s labor. Laborers earn a wage. If it buys enough food, fine…  if not, well that’s their problem. We’re so civilized, yea right.

The purpose of these Bible study posts isn’t so much about you, the gentle reader, but more about discipline and principle. The dicipline to make time for bible study in a busy life, and the principle that the teacher learns more than the student. I hope you can learn with me, but at this point in my journey I hope to learn more.

 So I’m self-centered. Yep. But in the end, I wish to know Him so that I can better introduce Him to others. I wish to know more about His words, so that I share His rather than my own.

May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word… and to these humble attempts to share it.