Some things in life are just hard to understand; math is one of them. I completely agree with the first paragraph but reject the second. Why? because that second one is sheer stupidity. Now, those of you who know me well, realize that I actually love things like the above because they show the irony in life; for even the most intelligent among us can fall prey to someone just a touch smarter. Make no mistake- the smartest adversary you will ever face is the Devil (Lucifer, Satan, the adversary, scratch- whatever). But, even he can be defeated- it just takes THE WORD OF GOD.
Matthew, Chapter 4 (WEB)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and,
‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 9 He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and,
‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 9 He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
Like that little second paragraph at the top, Satan's arguments twist the truth. Jesus puts him in his place, though, because he knows the WORD OF GOD. While you and I will never have the depth of understanding that Jesus obviously has, we can know enough to attain to heaven and stay on the path that leads there. So, in this upcoming year, study, study, study- for there will be a testing by the evil one. You do want to pass don't you?
PS. The answer to the "math quiz" is that there is no answer. Stupid questions make for stupid answers. So, make up you own answer; personally, I like- a duck in a row-boat eating half a pizza because the barn was red!!! Anyone out there have one you would like to share- feel free to do so!!!!