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. {GC88 518.1}
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. {GC88 518.2}
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 to so control
circumstances that the message
519
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. {GC88 518.3}
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. {GC88 519.1}
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. {GC88 519.2}
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
520
by their fruits." [MATT. 7:16.] Their course resembles that of Satan, the
envenomed slanderer, "the accuser of our brethren." [REV. 12:10.] {GC88
519.3}
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. {GC88 520.1}
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. {GC88 520.2}
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 so confuse minds
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.
{GC88 520.3}
In order to sustain erroneous doctrines or unchristian
521
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 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. {GC88 520.4}
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. {GC88 521.1}
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." [HAB. 2:2.] The Word of God
is plain to all who study it with a prayerful
522
heart. Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth. "Light is
sown for the righteous." [PS. 97:11.] And no church can advance in
holiness
unless its members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure.
{GC88 521.2}
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. {GC88 522.1}
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. {GC88 522.2}
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." 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
father, 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. {GC88 522.3}
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 has made
known
of himself and his purposes, they would obtain such a view of the glory,
majesty, and power of
523
Jehovah, that they would realize their own littleness, and would be
content
with that which has been revealed for themselves and their children. {GC88
522.4}
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. {GC88 523.1}
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,
524
"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 THESS. 2:10-12.] With such a warning
before us, it behooves us to be on our guard as to what doctrines we
receive. {GC88 523.2}
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. {GC88 524.1}
Another dangerous error, is the doctrine that denies the divinity 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
divinity 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
COR. 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. {GC88 524.2}
Still another subtle and mischievous error is the fast-spreading
belief
that Satan has no existence as a personal
525
being; that the name is used in Scripture merely to represent men's evil
thoughts and desires. {GC88 524.3}
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;" [MATT. 24:23-26.] and many souls have been lost by accepting
this
deception. {GC88 525.1}
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 co-operates 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. {GC88 525.2}
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. {GC88 525.3}
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;
526
and since these are represented as the teaching of the Bible, he refuses
to
receive it as the Word of God. {GC88 525.4}
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
criticising the Bible. There is much which the finite mind, unenlightened
by
divine wisdom, is powerless to comprehend; and thus they find occasion to
criticise. 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 criticise 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. {GC88 526.1}
God has given in his Word sufficient evidence of its divine
character.
The great truths which concern our redemption
527
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. {GC88 526.2}
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!" [ROM. 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. {GC88 527.1}
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. {GC88 527.2}
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, will permit themselves to question and cavil, they will find their
doubts constantly becoming more confirmed. {GC88 527.3}
But those who doubt God's promises, and distrust the assurance of his
grace, are dishonoring him; and their
528
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 life-work 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. {GC88 527.4}
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. {GC88 528.1}
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." [MATT. 7:7; JOHN 7:17.] {GC88 528.2}
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
529
temptation; for the very object of the trial is to prepare them to resist
all the allurements of evil. {GC88 528.3}
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." [ZECH. 4:6.] {GC88 529.1}
"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 PET. 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!" [NUM. 23:8, 10, 20, 21, 23; 24:9.] Yet a third altar was
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." [NUM. 23:8, 10, 20,
21,
23; 24:9.] {GC88 529.2}
The people of Israel were at this time loyal to God; and
530
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. {GC88 529.3}
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."
{GC88 530.1}
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