THE DEVICES OF SATAN
In 2 Corinthians 2:11 we read, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Satan is the Devil; he is our adversary, our accuser and our enemy. Christians must be informed and ready least Satan catches us off guard. We can resist him successfully if we become aware of the methods he uses to lead men to destruction. Satan is so bold and brave that he tempted Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Matthew 4:1-11) If Satan will try to destroy Jesus, he will certainly do his best to destroy us. If we are not very careful Satan will fill our hearts to do all kinds of evil things. “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” (Acts 5:3) Temptation is Satan’s way of trying to get us away from God.
Satan’s devices are many in number. He has and uses many ways to bring misery and destruction to our lives. He is the “god of this world.” “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) Satan is so cunning that he is called the “prince of this world.” “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” (John 12:31) Satan has wicked dominion is this present world.
Satan’s devices are crafty and cunning. Satan’s craftiness is seen when he tempted Jesus. “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:3-10) He offered Jesus food when He was hungry and power when He might have felt weak. He tried to cause Him to doubt God and follow him.
Satan’s devices can be withstood. The reason Satan tempts and blinds the minds of people is because he hates the gospel and wishes to prevent its influence and spread in the world. Therefore, we understand that the Satan can be withstood with the gospel, with prayer and watchfulness. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ (James 4:7) You must resist and oppose Satan in whatever way he may approach you. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9) You are in no instance to yield yourself to Satan, but you must in all forms stand up him and oppose him.
Each person must choose either to serve God or Satan. You can have in your life Jesus who has heaven to offer or the Devil who has nothing to offer eternally. The choice is yours! The place for Jesus is with us. The place for Satan is behind us. There is no greater walk than "walking hand in hand with Jesus." On the other hand, when the Devil tempted Jesus he was told, “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Luke 4:8) The Devil has no place in the life of a person who is serving God. Whom will you serve? It should be our goal to "serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Hebrews 12:28) To be saved from sin hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (Mark 16:16), repent of sins (Luke 13:5), confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32), and be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4) Jesus is "the Christ of God." Therefore serve Him faithfully.
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,
Greenville, Alabama 36037