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Chapter Thirty Two
Snares of Satan
The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has
been carried forward for nearly six thousand years, is
soon to close; and the wicked one redoubles his efforts to
defeat the work of Christ in man’s behalf and to fasten souls
in his snares. To hold the people in darkness and impenitence
till the Saviour’s mediation is ended, and there is no longer a
sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish.
When there is no special effort made to resist his power,
when indifference prevails in the church and the world,
Satan is not concerned; for he is in no danger of losing those
whom he is leading captive at his will. But when the attention
is called to eternal things, and souls are inquiring, “What
must I do to be saved?” he is on the ground, seeking to match
his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the
influence of the Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures declare that upon one occasion, when the
angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord,
Satan came also among them (Job 1:6), not to bow before
the Eternal King, but to further his own malicious designs
against the righteous. With the same object he is in attendance
when men assemble for the worship of God. Though
hidden from sight, he is working with all diligence to control
the minds of the worshipers. Like a skillful general he lays
his plans beforehand. As he sees the messenger of God
searching the Scriptures, he takes note of the subject to be
presented to the people. Then he employs all his cunning and
shrewdness so to control circumstances that the message may
not reach those whom he is deceiving on that very point. The
one who most needs the warning will be urged into some
business transaction which requires his presence, or will by
some other means be prevented from hearing the words that
might prove to him a savor of life unto life.
Again, Satan sees the Lord’s servants burdened because of
the spiritual darkness that enshrouds the people. He hears
their earnest prayers for divine grace and power to break the
spell of indifference, carelessness, and indolence. Then with
renewed zeal he plies his arts. He tempts men to the indulgence
of appetite or to some other form of self-gratification,
and thus benumbs their sensibilities so that they fail to
hear the very things which they most need to learn.
Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect
prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome
by his attacks. Therefore he invents every possible device
to engross the mind. There has ever been a class professing
godliness, who, instead of following on to know the truth,
make it their religion to seek some fault of character or error
of faith in those with whom they do not agree. Such are
Satan’s right-hand helpers. Accusers of the brethren are not
few, and they are always active when God is at work and His
servants are rendering Him true homage. They will put a
false coloring upon the words and acts of those who love and
obey the truth. They will represent the most earnest, zealous,
self-denying servants of Christ as deceived or deceivers. It is
their work to misrepresent the motives of every true and
noble deed, to circulate insinuations, and arouse suspicion in
the minds of the inexperienced. In every conceivable manner
they will seek to cause that which is pure and righteous to be
regarded as foul and deceptive.
But none need be deceived concerning them. It may be
readily seen whose children they are, whose example they
follow, and whose work they do. “Ye shall know them by
their fruits.”
Matthew 7:16. Their course resembles that of
Satan, the envenomed slanderer, “the accuser of our brethren.”
Revelation 12:10.
The great deceiver has many agents ready to present any
and every kind of error to ensnare souls—heresies prepared to
suit the varied tastes and capacities of those whom he would
ruin. It is his plan to bring into the church insincere,
unregenerate elements that will encourage doubt and unbelief,
and hinder all who desire to see the work of God advance
and to advance with it. Many who have no real faith in God
or in His word assent to some principles of truth and pass as
Christians, and thus they are enabled to introduce their errors
as Scriptural doctrines.
The position that it is of no consequence what men believe
is one of Satan’s most successful deceptions. He knows that
the truth, received in the love of it, sanctifies the soul of the
receiver; therefore he is constantly seeking to substitute false
theories, fables, another gospel. From the beginning the
servants of God have contended against false teachers, not
merely as vicious men, but as inculcators of falsehoods that
were fatal to the soul. Elijah, Jeremiah, Paul, firmly and
fearlessly opposed those who were turning men from the
word of God. That liberality which regards a correct
religious faith as unimportant found no favor with these holy
defenders of the truth.
The vague and fanciful interpretations of Scripture, and
the many conflicting theories concerning religious faith, that
are found in the Christian world are the work of our great
adversary to confuse minds so that they shall not discern the
truth. And the discord and division which exist among
the churches of Christendom are in a great measure due to
the prevailing custom of wresting the Scriptures to support
a favorite theory. Instead of carefully studying God’s word
with humility of heart to obtain a knowledge of His will,
many seek only to discover something odd or original.
In order to sustain erroneous doctrines or unchristian
practices, some will seize upon passages of Scripture separated
from the context, perhaps quoting half of a single verse as
proving their point, when the remaining portion would show
the meaning to be quite the opposite. With the cunning of
the serpent they entrench themselves behind disconnected
utterances construed to suit their carnal desires. Thus do
many willfully pervert the word of God. Others, who have
an active imagination, seize upon the figures and symbols of
Holy Writ, interpret them to suit their fancy, with little
regard to the testimony of Scripture as its own interpreter, and
then they present their vagaries as the teachings of the Bible.
Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon
without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest
and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be
wrested from their true meaning. The papal leaders select
such portions of Scripture as best serve their purpose, interpret
to suit themselves, and then present these to the people,
while they deny them the privilege of studying the Bible and
understanding its sacred truths for themselves. The whole
Bible should be given to the people just as it reads. It would
be better for them not to have Bible instruction at all than
to have the teaching of the Scriptures thus grossly
misrepresented.
The Bible was designed to be a guide to all who wish to
become acquainted with the will of their Maker. God gave
to men the sure word of prophecy; angels and even Christ
Himself came to make known to Daniel and John the things
that must shortly come to pass. Those important matters
that concern our salvation were not left involved in mystery.
They were not revealed in such a way as to perplex and
mislead the honest seeker after truth. Said the Lord by the
prophet Habakkuk: “Write the vision, and make it plain,
. . . that he may run that readeth it.”
Habakkuk 2:2. The
word of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful
heart. Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth.
"Light is sown for the righteous.”
Psalm 97:11. And no
church can advance in holiness unless its members are
earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure.
By the cry, Liberality, men are blinded to the devices of
their adversary, while he is all the time working steadily for
the accomplishment of his object. As he succeeds in
supplanting the Bible by human speculations, the law of God is
set aside, and the churches are under the bondage of sin
while they claim to be free.
To many, scientific research has become a curse. God has
permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the world in
discoveries in science and art; but even the greatest minds,
if not guided by the word of God in their research, become
bewildered in their attempts to investigate the relations of
science and revelation.
Human knowledge of both material and spiritual things
is partial and imperfect; therefore many are unable to
harmonize their views of science with Scripture statements.
Many accept mere theories and speculations as scientific facts,
and they think that God’s word is to be tested by the teachings
of “science falsely so called.”
1 Timothy 6:20. The
Creator and His works are beyond their comprehension;
and because they cannot explain these by natural laws,
Bible history is regarded as unreliable. Those who doubt
the reliability of the records of the Old and New Testaments
too often go a step further and doubt the existence
of God and attribute infinite power to nature. Having let
go their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of
infidelity.
Thus many err from the faith and are seduced by the devil.
Men have endeavored to be wiser than their Creator; human
philosophy has attempted to search out and explain mysteries
which will never be revealed through the eternal ages. If
men would but search and understand what God had made
known of Himself and His purposes, they would obtain such
a view of the glory, majesty, and power of Jehovah that
they would realize their own littleness and would be content
with that which has been revealed for themselves and their
children.
It is a masterpiece of Satan’s deceptions to keep the
minds of men searching and conjecturing in regard to that
which God has not made known and which He does not
intend that we shall understand. It was thus that Lucifer lost
his place in heaven. He became dissatisfied because all the
secrets of God’s purposes were not confided to him, and he
entirely disregarded that which was revealed concerning his
own work in the lofty position assigned him. By arousing
the same discontent in the angels under his command, he
caused their fall. Now he seeks to imbue the minds of men
with the same spirit and to lead them also to disregard the
direct commands of God.
Those who are unwilling to accept the plain, cutting
truths of the Bible are continually seeking for pleasing fables
that will quiet the conscience. The less spiritual, self-denying,
and humiliating the doctrines presented, the greater the favor
with which they are received. These persons degrade the
intellectual powers to serve their carnal desires. Too wise in
their own conceit to search the Scriptures with contrition of
soul and earnest prayer for divine guidance, they have no
shield from delusion. Satan is ready to supply the heart’s
desire, and he palms off his deceptions in the place of truth.
It was thus that the papacy gained its power over the minds
of men; and by rejection of the truth because it involves a
cross, Protestants are following the same path. All who
neglect the word of God to study convenience and policy,
that they may not be at variance with the world, will be left
to receive damnable heresy for religious truth. Every
conceivable form of error will be accepted by those who willfully
reject the truth. He who looks with horror upon one deception
will readily receive another. The apostle Paul, speaking
of a class who “received not the love of the truth, that they
might be saved,” declares: “For this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they
all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.”
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12. With
such a warning before us it behooves us to be on our guard as
to what doctrines we receive.
Among the most successful agencies of the great deceiver
are the delusive teachings and lying wonders of spiritualism.
Disguised as an angel of light, he spreads his nets where least
suspected. If men would but study the Book of God with
earnest prayer that they might understand it, they would
not be left in darkness to receive false doctrines. But as they
reject the truth they fall a prey to deception.
Another dangerous error is the doctrine that denies the
deity of Christ, claiming that He had no existence before His
advent to this world. This theory is received with favor by a
large class who profess to believe the Bible; yet it directly
contradicts the plainest statements of our Saviour concerning
His relationship with the Father, His divine character, and
His pre-existence. It cannot be entertained without the most
unwarranted wresting of the Scriptures. It not only lowers
man’s conceptions of the work of redemption, but undermines
faith in the Bible as a revelation from God. While this
renders it the more dangerous, it makes it also harder to
meet. If men reject the testimony of the inspired Scriptures
concerning the deity of Christ, it is in vain to argue the point
with them; for no argument, however conclusive, could
convince them. “The natural man receiveth not the things of
the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither
can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Corinthians 2:14. None who hold this error can have a
true conception of the character or the mission of Christ, or
of the great plan of God for man’s redemption.
Still another subtle and mischievous error is the
fast-spreading belief that Satan has no existence as a personal
being; that the name is used in Scripture merely to represent
men’s evil thoughts and desires.
The teaching so widely echoed from popular pulpits, that
the second advent of Christ is His coming to each individual
at death, is a device to divert the minds of men from His
personal coming in the clouds of heaven. For years Satan has
thus been saying, “Behold, He is in the secret chambers”
(Matthew 24:23-26); and many souls have been lost by
accepting this deception.
Again, worldly wisdom teaches that prayer is not essential.
Men of science claim that there can be no real answer to
prayer; that this would be a violation of law, a miracle, and
that miracles have no existence. The universe, say they, is
governed by fixed laws, and God Himself does nothing
contrary to these laws. Thus they represent God as bound by
His own laws—as if the operation of divine laws could
exclude divine freedom. Such teaching is opposed to the testimony
of the Scriptures. Were not miracles wrought by Christ
and His apostles? The same compassionate Saviour lives
today, and He is as willing to listen to the prayer of faith
as when He walked visibly among men. The natural
cooperates with the supernatural. It is a part of God’s plan to
grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He
would not bestow did we not thus ask.
Innumerable are the erroneous doctrines and fanciful
ideas that are obtaining among the churches of Christendom.
It is impossible to estimate the evil results of removing
one of the landmarks fixed by the word of God. Few who
venture to do this stop with the rejection of a single truth.
The majority continue to set aside one after another of the
principles of truth, until they become actual infidels.
The errors of popular theology have driven many a soul to
skepticism who might otherwise have been a believer in the
Scriptures. It is impossible for him to accept doctrines which
outrage his sense of justice, mercy, and benevolence; and
since these are represented as the teaching of the Bible, he
refuses to receive it as the word of God.
And this is the object which Satan seeks to accomplish.
There is nothing that he desires more than to destroy confidence
in God and in His word. Satan stands at the head of
the great army of doubters, and he works to the utmost of his
power to beguile souls into his ranks. It is becoming fashionable
to doubt. There is a large class by whom the word of
God is looked upon with distrust for the same reason as was
its Author—because it reproves and condemns sin. Those
who are unwilling to obey its requirements endeavor to
overthrow its authority. They read the Bible, or listen to its
teachings as presented from the sacred desk, merely to find
fault with the Scriptures or with the sermon. Not a few
become infidels in order to justify or excuse themselves in
neglect of duty. Others adopt skeptical principles from pride
and indolence. Too ease-loving to distinguish themselves by
accomplishing anything worthy of honor, which requires
effort and self-denial, they aim to secure a reputation for
superior wisdom by criticizing the Bible. There is much
which the finite mind, unenlightened by divine wisdom, is
powerless to comprehend; and thus they find occasion to
criticize. There are many who seem to feel that it is a virtue
to stand on the side of unbelief, skepticism, and infidelity.
But underneath an appearance of candor it will be found that
such persons are actuated by self-confidence and pride. Many
delight in finding something in the Scriptures to puzzle the
minds of others. Some at first criticize and reason on the
wrong side, from a mere love of controversy. They do not
realize that they are thus entangling themselves in the snare
of the fowler. But having openly expressed unbelief, they feel
that they must maintain their position. Thus they unite with
the ungodly and close to themselves the gates of Paradise.
God has given in His word sufficient evidence of its divine
character. The great truths which concern our redemption
are clearly presented. By the aid of the Holy Spirit, which
is promised to all who seek it in sincerity, every man may
understand these truths for himself. God has granted to men
a strong foundation upon which to rest their faith.
Yet the finite minds of men are inadequate fully to
comprehend the plans and purposes of the Infinite One. We can
never by searching find out God. We must not attempt to
lift with presumptuous hand the curtain behind which He
veils His majesty. The apostle exclaims: “How unsearchable
are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!”
Romans
11:33. We can so far comprehend His dealings with us, and
the motives by which He is actuated, that we may discern
boundless love and mercy united to infinite power. Our
Father in heaven orders everything in wisdom and righteousness,
and we are not to be dissatisfied and distrustful, but to
bow in reverent submission. He will reveal to us as much of
His purposes as it is for our good to know, and beyond that
we must trust the Hand that is omnipotent, the Heart that
is full of love.
While God has given ample evidence for faith, He will
never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks
to hang their doubts upon will find them. And those who
refuse to accept and obey God’s word until every objection
has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for
doubt, will never come to the light.
Distrust of God is the natural outgrowth of the unrenewed
heart, which is at enmity with Him. But faith is inspired by
the Holy Spirit, and it will flourish only as it is cherished.
No man can become strong in faith without a determined
effort. Unbelief strengthens as it is encouraged; and if men,
instead of dwelling upon the evidences which God has given
to sustain their faith, permit themselves to question and cavil,
they will find their doubts constantly becoming more
confirmed.
But those who doubt God’s promises and distrust the
assurance of His grace are dishonoring Him; and their
influence, instead of drawing others to Christ, tends to repel
them from Him. They are unproductive trees, that spread
their dark branches far and wide, shutting away the sunlight
from other plants, and causing them to droop and die under
the chilling shadow. The lifework of these persons will
appear as a never-ceasing witness against them. They are sowing
seeds of doubt and skepticism that will yield an unfailing
harvest.
There is but one course for those to pursue who honestly
desire to be freed from doubts. Instead of questioning and
caviling concerning that which they do not understand, let
them give heed to the light which already shines upon them,
and they will receive greater light. Let them do every duty
which has been made plain to their understanding, and they
will be enabled to understand and perform those of which
they are now in doubt.
Satan can present a counterfeit so closely resembling the
truth that it deceives those who are willing to be deceived,
who desire to shun the self-denial and sacrifice demanded
by the truth; but it is impossible for him to hold under his
power one soul who honestly desires, at whatever cost, to
know the truth. Christ is the truth and the “Light, which
lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
John 1:9.
The Spirit of truth has been sent to guide men into all truth.
And upon the authority of the Son of God it is declared:
"Seek, and ye shall find.” “If any man will do His will, he
shall know of the doctrine.”
Matthew 7:7;
John 7:17.
The followers of Christ know little of the plots which
Satan and his hosts are forming against them. But He who
sitteth in the heavens will overrule all these devices for the
accomplishment of His deep designs. The Lord permits His
people to be subjected to the fiery ordeal of temptation, not
because He takes pleasure in their distress and affliction, but
because this process is essential to their final victory. He
could not, consistently with His own glory, shield them from
temptation; for the very object of the trial is to prepare them
to resist all the allurements of evil.
Neither wicked men nor devils can hinder the work of
God, or shut out His presence from His people, if they will,
with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and put away their
sins, and in faith claim His promises. Every temptation,
every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be
successfully resisted, “not by might, nor by power, but by
My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6.
“The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears
are open unto their prayers. . . . And who is he that will
harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”
1 Peter 3:12, 13. When Balaam, allured by the promise of rich
rewards, practiced enchantments against Israel, and by
sacrifices to the Lord sought to invoke a curse upon His people,
the Spirit of God forbade the evil which he longed to
pronounce, and Balaam was forced to exclaim: “How shall I
curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy,
whom the Lord hath not defied?” “Let me die the death of
the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” When sacrifice
had again been offered, the ungodly prophet declared:
"Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and He
hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld
iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel:
the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a King is
among them.” “Surely there is no enchantment against
Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according
to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What
hath God wrought!” Yet a third time altars were erected,
and again Balaam essayed to secure a curse. But from the
unwilling lips of the prophet, the Spirit of God declared the
prosperity of His chosen, and rebuked the folly and malice
of their foes: “Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed
is he that curseth thee.”
Numbers 23:8, 10, 20, 21, 23;
24:9.
The people of Israel were at this time loyal to God; and
so long as they continued in obedience to His law, no power
in earth or hell could prevail against them. But the curse
which Balaam had not been permitted to pronounce against
God’s people, he finally succeeded in bringing upon them
by seducing them into sin. When they transgressed God’s
commandments, then they separated themselves from Him,
and they were left to feel the power of the destroyer.
Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in
Christ is more than a match for the hosts of darkness, and
that, should he reveal himself openly, he would be met and
resisted. Therefore he seeks to draw away the soldiers of the
cross from their strong fortification, while he lies in ambush
with his forces, ready to destroy all who venture upon his
ground. Only in humble reliance upon God, and obedience
to all His commandments, can we be secure.
No man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer.
Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand
His word. Here are revealed the wiles of the tempter
and the means by which he may be successfully resisted.
Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own
interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us
to stumble. We should study the Bible with humility of
heart, never losing sight of our dependence upon God.
While we must constantly guard against the devices of
Satan, we should pray in faith continually: “Lead us not into
temptation.”
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