"The Devil."

by CECIL BELTON | Category: The World. The Flesh. And The Devil. | Aug 1936

It is most important that we avail ourselves to the utmost of the light that the Scriptures cast upon the methods of the evil one. 2 Corinthians 2.10, speaks of " devices" or "contrivances" Ephesians 6. 11, of" wiles," that is, "artifices " or " methods."

One of his devices for getting rid of the light is alluded to in 1 Peter 5. 8: "Be sober, be watchful (vigilant): your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom withstand steadfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world." "As a roaring lion." This is in keeping with his " dragon" character, cruel and ferocious. Not that he directly appears as the persecutor; but that he stirs up that hatred towards the people of God that is inherent in fallen man, who bears so many of the traits of the one he has subjected himself to by disobedience. His " device," here is to get rid of the light by getting rid of the light-bearers. As both Scripture and "profane" history so-called show, he has used both the lawless mob inflamed to a pitch that knew no restraint, and "the lawful assembly" with cold and calm deliberation, to accomplish their extermination. This device of his is not so conspicuous as it has been in the past, and as it will be in the future as pictured in the book of the Revelation. In these days he has rather- substituted a professed tolerance of everything, so that the Truth may be discounted by its intolerance. I say "professed" tolerance; for its hollowness and falsity are soon manifested when there is an effort made to speak of, or plead for the truth of God. Things seem to be fast hastening to that state so pithily expressed by our beloved brother, the late Mr. Geddes, "the days will come when the man who will not tolerate everything will not be tolerated himself."

"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life ... He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (Revelation 2. 10, 11). "Thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is ... thou holdest fast ... didst not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth" (Revelation 2.13). This was in a past day. "They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death" (Revelation 12.11). This will be in a future day of fiercest persecution. In such circumstances the Dragon is overcome not by active resistance to evil, not by taking the sword in defence of the truth, but by yielding their bodies to death rather than renounce their faith in the blood that redeemed them, the truth that sanctified them, and their love for the Lord who both paid the precious price for their redemption, and illumined and sanctified them by the light of divine truth.

Now, if we look around to-day, and compare what we see with the Guide Book that God has given us, we shall perceive that the devices of the evil one are more consistent with his character as "the Old Serpent," "the Tempter," "the Deceiver," " the Fowler," working subtly by wily methods to ensnare again those who have escaped his toils by divine grace and power. Not that this side of his character will be absent in those future days, for prophecy teaches otherwise. It would seem that in those last terrible days, he will concentrate all his awful powers and devilish wisdom for that great last push. Withal knowing that he is doomed to defeat, he will leave nothing undone that his hellish wisdom and cruelty can devise to work all the harm possible to God's creation before his final, eternal consignment to his afore-prepared place.

The methods he uses to-day are the same as those he used against our first parents in Eden. I think I might say that the principles on which he acts to decoy away from God are always the same, though presented in different guises. One of the principles on which he works is by downright lying, by flatly contradicting the plain word of God; as-" Thou shalt not surely die." Thus the veracity, the infinite knowledge, and the holiness of God are deliberately impeached. Another principle, and perhaps one of his most effective, is deceitfully to present the truth of God in such a manner that a slur is cast upon the holiness or the goodness of its Author. "God doth know .

your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil." The implication was that God was withholding something from them that would be to their betterment; thus insidiously giving the lie to God's character as Love.

Another of his great principles is temptation by seeking to attract, allure, and engross the natural senses ; setting forth the desirable things of this present life, so that the will of God will be lost sight of in the process of gratification. "The woman saw that the tree was good for food (the lust of the flesh), and that it was a delight to the eyes (the lust of the eyes), and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise" (the vainglory of life). Temptation was the method by which the Devil in person sought to turn aside the Holy One of God Himself; but, utterly defeated, the tempter left Him for a season. The order of his three attempts, as given by Luke, agree in their moral order with Genesis 3. and also with the declaration of the Apostle John concerning "all that is in the world" as already referred to. The Lord overcame him by the Word of God, and the same weapon was available to the woman at the first, but the Serpent so occupied her mind with his specious promises that the commandment of God became of less weight than the prospect of so easy an acquisition of untasted pleasure and knowledge. How often alas, is it the same with some of God's children, the result being likewise, a fall, and maybe never to know a recovery down here. Let us keep in mind the words of 1 John 2. 14-" Young men ... ye are strong. and the Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one."

Another of his devices is to present a mixture of truth and error. This is seen more particularly in what is called the "religious world." In most cases the error predominates sufficiently to nullify the truth. In other cases error is so subtly interspersed as to form a very grave obstacle to the entering into the kingdom of God, and of making a full surrender to His will.

Fear is yet another working principle of the adversary, which he knows just how to apply, and to whom. There is a wholesome fear-a fear of the consequences of sin that drives to the Saviour for deliverance from the wrath to come. There is also a godly fear of God that very fittingly becomes one who has been brought to know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. This is not the fear the Devil wants to see. What he aims at is to instil into us a fear of fellow-creatures, and of the present consequences if we take our stand alongside the rejected One. This is a weapon wielded very powerfully and widely by the Adversary-and I suppose that all of us have felt it, and do yet at times feel the keenness of its thrusts. Oh that we may have such a real apprehension of the nearness of the Lord, the Great Overcomer, that we shall be able from our hearts with good courage to say, "The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear; what shall man do unto me?" This is the confidence of one with the fear of God in his soul: it lifts up the spirit and causes rejoicing and exultation. How different is that coward fear of man with which Satan would infuse our whole being! fear that is accompanied only with a sense of inward shame and unhappiness.

In the foregoing I have sought to point out some of the principles upon which the Devil bases his operations in his endeavours to frustrate the purpose of God in our present life. Perhaps it may be well to analyse some of these efforts. In Psalm 91., as we have suggested, he is depicted as the "Fowler," and skilfully he lays his snares for the children of God. That he is the essence of wicked cleverness is shown by the way in which he sets these snares to catch men.

There are three classes of snares that we will particularly examine, that broadly cover all the wiles of the Adversary.

THE OPEN SNARE.

First there is the Open Snare, or Trap. This is manifestly of the evil one, with no attempt, or very little, to disguise its true character. Is it possible, then, for any to be caught in this way? The Devil knows his own business well. He knows perfectly well that there is in man that which God calls "the flesh" and which Romans 8. declares "Is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be." There is in some natures, more or less of -that which the world with covert admiration calls "the dare-devil spirit," and this is what the evil one plays up for. There is by nature in us all, a more or less strong desire to do that which is forbidden. " If you want him to do a thing, tell him not to do it" is a saying we often hear. A child of God out of communion-what will he not do, what will he not dare. There are things which he sees the worldling enjoying with immunity, and from which the will of God debars him. Self-will and self-trust are strong in him-- he will taste the sweets denied him, trusting to his strength of will to keep him from going too far, vainly thinking that he can match his puny will against that of the mighty adversary when he feels that the toils are getting too tight around him. Let us remember the principle found in Hebrews 10. 26, " If we sin wilfully," and the awful state of soul resulting. It is certainly possible for God in His boundless mercy to deliver such but He holds out no hope of probability in this life.

THE BAITED SNARE.

Secondly, there is the Baited Snare. This is a very successful snare in the hands of the "Fowler." Many are taken by it. What is the bait he uses 2 Just that which is suitable for the one for whom he sets the snare for the " snare " is set for individuals, not for masses. Different temperaments, different ambitions, different desires are all provided for by the wisdom of the evil one. The bait that may prove almost irresistible to one may have no attraction whatever for another. Sport, art, science, literature, music, drama, politics, business he skilfully uses to meet the inclinations of each one, and dangles them very temptingly before us at the most opportune time for his deadly purpose. When we are out of touch with divine things and not enjoying them as we ought, it is then he presents his bait; it is then that we begin to look longingly at it. It does not, perhaps, appear to be altogether right; there appears to be some danger in it; but then-the bait! There are such advantages to be gained; such wide knowledge to be acquired; such harmless pleasures to be enjoyed! So, one with the mind off heavenly things is sorely tempted to taste-to try. Yet, he thinks he will be careful not to get entangled with worldly things. May he not very carefully place his foot on the ground that is only doubtful, not absolutely forbidden? Can he not draw it back again if he should find that ground deceptive, and the desire for indulgence growing upon him? Alas! Who has ventured thus willingly into danger, and has been able as willingly to recover himself? The snare is too skilfully laid, and the "Fowler" too wily and strong to allow this. It would need the very power of God exerted in mercy, to deliver the entangled one, and here we must remember the solemn words of 2 Timothy 2. 25--" IF PERADVENTURE God may give them repentance," etc.

THE CAMOUFLAGED SNARE.

Thirdly, there is the Camouflaged Snare. This is, perhaps, the most deceitful of all his devices. It may not appear to be a snare at all. There may be so much of that which, in itself, is harmless, or even lawful, that the very idea that it is a device of Satan is scouted. It may even commend itself, and be commended by others as a desirable thing.

The means he more generally uses to-day to cloak his designs is religion. The more he contrives to conceal the ensnaring error or errors beneath a vaunted profession of truth, the more the unwary children of God are taken by it. In close communion with God and acquaintance with His Word lie the only safety. In view of such a time as this the Apostle in Acts 20. 32 says, "I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified" (that is, "set apart for a holy purpose "). Notice Psalm 91. 1 here

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High

Shall a bide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in whom I trust.

For He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,

And from the noisome pestilence,"

and so on to end of Psalm.

Having briefly viewed some of Satan's devices, we will now turn to provisions for our defence that are available to us. The first verse of the Psalm quoted above gives us the clue, communion with the Most High. The means being prayer and the Word--speaking to Him and hearing Him speak to us. As a consequence we have "His truth is a shield and a buckler" (Psalm 91. 4). Verse 14 shows how much God values the love for Him, and the knowledge of Him, that turn the soul to Him in restful confidence amidst surrounding trials and temptations. "Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name."

In James 4. 7 and 8, we are called upon to " Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," but- this is coupled with that encouraging assurance for our weakness, "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you."

The work of the devil is to cultivate human pride-the "vainglory of life," and to encourage friendship with the world. The one too proud to heed the word of God--the one who is " a friend of the world." is in league with the Enemy, with the Almighty God against him. James 4. is very helpful in this connection. The submissive, the humble one, the one conscious of his own frailty, is bidden to resist the mighty adversary, with the promise that such resistance will ensure the retreat of the enemy ; but this injunction is associated with the assurance that He "giveth grace to the humble," yea, " giveth more grace." Submit ourselves to God, to his revealed will; draw nigh to Him by way of prayer, and we shall find that He not only equips us with a whole armoury of defence and an effectual weapon of offence to enable us to stand against the wiles of the Devil, but also that God Himself draws nigh to us (indeed we have God within us iii the Person of the Blessed Holy Spirit), what wonder then, that the arch-enemy should flee! Then, too, we have our Lord Jesus Christ, touched with the feeling of our infirmities, having experienced the terrible attacks of the enemy in person, and who is " able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through Him." " Let us, therefore, draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Here is our succour in times of sore temptation. As we have already seen in Ephesians 6., the grace and mercy of God have provided us with complete protection in the "panoply of God." And "the sword of the Spirit " is a far more effective weapon against that mighty being of evil the Devil, with his host of auxiliaries and his ever-present instruments-" the flesh" and "the world," than all the protective and fighting contrivances that human ingenuity can devise to cope with his works ; contrivances such as "temperance " and " purity pledges "; " campaigns "leagues"; "endeavours" ; and so forth.

The divine provision of Ephesians 6. is worth while our careful examination piece by piece. Our confidence will grow as we do so. David of old was clad in the armour of Saul; but had no confidence in such a misfit. His faith in God provided him with an invulnerable suit, a far more secure protection than a human-made helmet, breastplate, and shield. Armed in the armoury of God we shall indeed be able to stand, being "strong in the Lord, and in the

strength of His might."

In conclusion we cite the words of the Apostle, "I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple (harmless, or innocent) unto that which is evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly "(Romans 16. 19, 20). and the words of 1 John 3 8, "To this end was the Son of God manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."

In its final and complete issue, what a glorious prospect!

CECIL BELTON | Aug 1936
The World. The Flesh. And The Devil.