The Christian's Attitude...
The devil is a fierce, unrelenting, hate-filled enemy. He is described as a roaring beast of prey, prowling about, seeking whom he may tear to pieces. Of ourselves, we are no match for him. More over, both the Bible and the pages of Christian history are filled with the accounts of his conquests over the saints.
But in the Word we have specific instructions:
"Be sober, be vigilant [awake, be on the elert]; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
"Whom resist stedfast in the faith [stand up to him, firm in faith], knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world [remember that your brother Christians are going through the same kinds of suffering while they are in the world]"
(I Peter. 5:8,9).
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [Draw near to God, and He will come close to you]" (James 4:7,8 KJV and the Amplified Bible)
Note that the attitude of the Christian always should be one of resistance to the devil. We are not ignorant of his devices. His attacks come from familiar sources. His methods have changed little since he tempted our first parents in the Garden of Eden.
First, the devil spoke disparagingly of the Word of God. Then he charged God wrongfully, after which He plunged into utter falsification. He still casts doubt upon the (now written) Word of God. and uses the well-known avenues for his evil suggestions: the lust (appetites and longings) of the flesh; the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (proud pretensions of life and life's glamor). The Christian who walks in the way of the flesh will soon be enticed into compromise, sin, and even base denial of Christ.
It is significant that in all the armor provided for the Christian in his spiritual warfare there is no protection for the back. The lesson is patent. The Christian is not to turn his back to the enemy or to run from him. With great verities, which God offers, truth, righteousness, salvation, faith, service, the Scriptures, and prayer, the battle with the devil is to be joined.
It is significant that in all the armor provided for the Christian in his spiritual warfare there is no protection for the back. The lesson is patent. The Christian is not to turn his back to the enemy or to run from him. With great verities, which God offers, truth, righteousness, salvation, faith, service, the Scriptures, and prayer, the battle with the devil is to be joined.
It is not that any Christian is to court battle with so great and powerful an enemy. It will come soon enough. But when Satan approaches, we are to resist in the Lord's own power. Particularly is the Christian to conceal himself behind the shield of faith and to draw the sword of the Word of God. If we resist the devil, he will flee from us (James 4:7). In reality, he does not "turn tail" from us, but from our invincible armor.
But what of the devil's relationship to the person of the world? Are men and women outside of Christ also subject to Satanic temptation? Does the devil lead them into gross sin? Are their wills captive to his purpose?
There is a great mystery here, and it is a subject little understood. In the great treasury of truth which is the Bible, Satan is named the prince of this world, prince of the power of the air, and the evil one with the whole world under his power.
While it is true Satan's claim to world rule is false, yet it is factual to a certain extent. He does exercise control, even though he is an illegal claimant, a usurper. While God had promised one day to terminate forever the reign of Satan over this world, this is to come in God's own good time.
So, in the meantime, this world is in spiritual slavery to the devil. Unbelievers do not know this, and would treat the idea with contempt. This does not mean that all persons are as vile, despicable, and immoral as they can be. Remember Satan does not want this kind of a front for his work. The drunkard, the theif, the prostitude are admissions of the failure of the devil rather than of his successful control. So he seeks bigger game.
As a great master of puppets, Satan stands in the shadows and pulls the strings of this godless, unbelieving world. He leads out in various high-sounding world movements, many of them humanitarian, charitable, scientific, and educational. The realms he desires to manipulate(Satan.com, ...jus kiddin) are those of business, education, entertainment, society, welfare, and particularly of religion. He perfers to keep the world on an even keel as it advances to a Christless eternity; although he is not averse to fomenting wars, brutality, crime, and adversity if it suits his evil purpose. All is grist for his mill, if he can only keep men from Christ.
Again, much of the world's wickedness stems from the sinful character of the heart of the unsaved. This works hand in glove with Satanic purposes and makes the devil's work easier.
Very frequently it is to the devil's advantage to enhance the wellbeing of men and nations. The Christian often notices his worldly neighbor's prosperity in contrast with his own adversities. This might be the subtle work of Satan to test the child of God. Part of the subtlety of Satan is to substitude riches, possessions, pleasure, and achievements for that which he fears most and fights so bitterly- the born again experience saint.
The whole world is under the control of Satan, save for the little band of the redeemed, fantastic as it may seem.
Are you redeemed? Do you know Him (Jesus)?
But what of the devil's relationship to the person of the world? Are men and women outside of Christ also subject to Satanic temptation? Does the devil lead them into gross sin? Are their wills captive to his purpose?
There is a great mystery here, and it is a subject little understood. In the great treasury of truth which is the Bible, Satan is named the prince of this world, prince of the power of the air, and the evil one with the whole world under his power.
While it is true Satan's claim to world rule is false, yet it is factual to a certain extent. He does exercise control, even though he is an illegal claimant, a usurper. While God had promised one day to terminate forever the reign of Satan over this world, this is to come in God's own good time.
So, in the meantime, this world is in spiritual slavery to the devil. Unbelievers do not know this, and would treat the idea with contempt. This does not mean that all persons are as vile, despicable, and immoral as they can be. Remember Satan does not want this kind of a front for his work. The drunkard, the theif, the prostitude are admissions of the failure of the devil rather than of his successful control. So he seeks bigger game.
As a great master of puppets, Satan stands in the shadows and pulls the strings of this godless, unbelieving world. He leads out in various high-sounding world movements, many of them humanitarian, charitable, scientific, and educational. The realms he desires to manipulate(Satan.com, ...jus kiddin) are those of business, education, entertainment, society, welfare, and particularly of religion. He perfers to keep the world on an even keel as it advances to a Christless eternity; although he is not averse to fomenting wars, brutality, crime, and adversity if it suits his evil purpose. All is grist for his mill, if he can only keep men from Christ.
Again, much of the world's wickedness stems from the sinful character of the heart of the unsaved. This works hand in glove with Satanic purposes and makes the devil's work easier.
Very frequently it is to the devil's advantage to enhance the wellbeing of men and nations. The Christian often notices his worldly neighbor's prosperity in contrast with his own adversities. This might be the subtle work of Satan to test the child of God. Part of the subtlety of Satan is to substitude riches, possessions, pleasure, and achievements for that which he fears most and fights so bitterly- the born again experience saint.
The whole world is under the control of Satan, save for the little band of the redeemed, fantastic as it may seem.
Are you redeemed? Do you know Him (Jesus)?
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