Snares of Satan
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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 that might otherwise have
been a believer in the Scriptures. It
is impossible for him to accept
doctrines that 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.
Moreover, this is the
object that 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 wit 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
that 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.
However, 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. However, 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
that 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 unreachable 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 our good to know, and beyond
that, we must trust the Hand that is
omnipotent, the Heart that is full of
love.
While God had 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. In
addition, 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.
However, 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 that God has given to
sustain their faith, permit
themselves to question and cavil,
they will find their doubts
constantly becoming more confirmed.
However, 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
great6er light. Let them do every
duty that 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. Moreover, 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. However, 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 to 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 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 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.
However, 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
as long as they continued in
obedience to His law, no power on
earth or hell could prevail against
them. However, the curse that Balaam
had not been permitted to pronounce
against God’s people, he finally
succeeded in bringing against 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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