THE WILES OF THE DEVIL

In the previous post we learned that Satan is a master deceiver; he and his spiritual forces know where and when we are most vulnerable. I believe that one of the places in which we can be most easily targeted is in the security of our own home. It was in the form of a very cunning creature in the garden, her home, that he approached Eve. He often does the same with us. It is in our homes that we are often most vulnerable to his attack, because that is the place where we tend to be least on guard, least expectant of his attack. That attack has become so much easier in light of the social mores and technology of our day.

In America and many other countries, Satan and his “seed” have been very successful in getting us to accept change in the moral culture. Things that were morally unacceptable and were done in secret fifty years ago are now practiced openly under the banner of freedom of choice. Fashions today are geared toward flaunting sexuality, and appealing to sexual appetites is a prime marketing tool used in ads daily through various media. Language today is openly rude and blasphemous in light of “equality for women” and the choice of the masses to reject God as Lord. The realm of “entertainment” is dominated by products directed at the passions of our flesh, the numbing of our minds and without regard to showing any reverence for God. Televisions and computers bring these “entertainment” products into our homes where we are more easily seduced into making poor choices; after all, no one else is around to be influenced by our choices. Anyway, we reason, aren’t we free to operate in the grace of God? I can’t help but think of the Holy Spirit’s words given us through the Apostle Paul.

1 Corinthians 6:12 & 19-20 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any….What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

I can’t help but wonder how many harmful addictions practiced by so many people today have their roots in choices made at home regarding entertainment and relaxation.

Another “wile” of the devil is to present himself as an “angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

I am convinced that this is one of the primary methods being used to destroy the “church” today. There are many in Christian leadership today that are focusing on works to benefit humanity and to better one’s self physically and financially. These are not necessarily wrong things in and of themselves; in fact, they are often good things. When, however, the church focuses on the works being done without an emphasis on bringing people to saving faith in Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life or bringing glory to God, they become the works of Satan.

The body of believers is to honor God first and foremost. Jesus was very clear in declaring that those who love Him will keep His commandments. What two commandments did He say embodied this truth?

Matthew 22:37–40 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

To love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind is to make choices with the intent to serve Him in love and glorify Him—not self. Jesus gave some very important instructions to His disciples one day.

Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Once again the context was regarding false prophets. The Lord is being very clear in declaring that motives are the determining factor, and that He is the only one qualified to judge our motives. He is saying that doing good works does not necessarily equal doing the will of God. Prophesying in the name of Jesus does not prove you are acting according to God’s will. Casting out demons does not prove you are acting according to God’s will. Performing wonderful works does not prove you are acting according to God’s will. All of these actions can be performed with empowerment of evil spirits and/or with wrong motives.

More often than not these motives are related to personal profit. Peter was forthright in warning about these profiteers.

2 Peter 2:1–3 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you….”

I am truly amazed at the multitudes that support these false teachers often at great personal sacrifice. They are looking to these teachers in faith instead of to the Savior. They are placing their faith in “anointed objects” rather than the person of Jesus through whom true anointing comes in the person of the Holy Spirit. They are trusting in being able to “do” something that will result in their prayers being answered rather than trusting in what Christ has done for them on the cross and can/will do for them through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.