SATAN AS TEMPTER TO SIN

“The more eminent your service for God, the greater the probability that Satan is at that very moment hatching some deadly scheme against you.

Satan will come on the scene when you are on some notable errand for God's glory. He will raise himself up like a snake in your path, hissing his venomous lies. This old serpent never was a friend to kingdom work. What a handsome excuse he served the Jews: "The time is not come!" God's time was come, but not the devil's; and therefore he perverted the sense of Providence, as if it were not yet time for the Messiah.

Two periods stand out in Christ's life: His entrance into public ministry at His Baptism, and the culmination of it at His Passion. At both He had a fierce encounter with the devil. This should give you an idea of how the master tempter works. The more public your place, and the more eminent your service for God, the greater the probability that Satan is at that very moment hatching some deadly scheme against you. If even the cadet corps need to be armed against Satan's bullets of temptation, how much more the commanders and officers, who stand in the front line of battle!

Satan will not always wait until you are on an important mission to tempt you, however; he will seize every opportunity along the way to practice his enticing skills. His job is made a little easier if he can find some object to enforce his temptation. Thus he took Eve when she was looking with longing at the tree. Since her own eye first enticed her, it was all the easier for Satan to take the object of her affection, polish it to a high gloss, and with it quicken a lust which lay dormant in her heart. If we lean out the window to hear temptation's serenade, Satan is satisfied that his suit may in time be granted. If we do not wish to yield to sin, we must take care not to walk by or sit at the door of the occasion. Do not look on temptation with a wandering eye if you do not wish to be taken by it, nor allow your mind to dwell on that which you do not want lodged in your heart.”

Simple but powerful truths are given us in these words. We however have an air of invincibility. We think that will never happen to me. We do not realize Satan takes his time to scheme against us and we must beware to run to God daily.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S. Bell http://www.moodypublishers.com/

SATAN CHOOSES WHEN TO TEMPT

“Temptation is never stronger than when relief seems to dress itself in the very sin that Satan is suggesting.

The devil especially likes to tempt when the Christian is newly converted. No sooner is the child of grace born than this vicious dragon belches forth white-hot temptations upon him. The first cry of the new creature in Christ startles all the legions of hell. They are as troubled by it as Herod and Jerusalem were when the sat in council to take away the life of the newborn King. Satan did not hesitate to tempt the apostles while they were yet infants in Christ. He knew grace within was weak and the nourishment promised at the Spirit's coming had not yet arrived. Is an enemy ever more likely to take a town than when only the children are home? Indeed, the disadvantages are so many that we would despair for every babe in Christ if we did not know he is wrapped in covenant grace and held tightly in the strong arms of God's promise.

Another time Satan attacks is when the Christian is enduring some great affliction.”

Satan looks for opportunities to convince us to take things into our own hands, to come up with a solution and not wait on God for His provision. Abraham was promised a son but he and Sarah did not wait and Abraham and Sarah’s servant brought forth a son and from him we have the Israel and Arab conflict of today.

God will fulfill His promise if we know the way He works and are willing to pursue His solution and not our own. Do not let Satan get you off course in the heat of battle. God is working if we will hold steady, do our part and trust Him for His part.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S. Bell http://www.moodypublishers.com/

THE OBJECT OF GOD'S AFFECTIONS

“When was His ear deaf to your cries or His hand short from supplying your needs?

He who keeps you does not slumber. The psalmist assures us, "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, Psalm 34:15 . He has fixed His gaze forever and with definite delight pleases Himself in the object of His affection. When was His ear ever deaf to your cries or His hand short from supplying your needs? Does not your welfare occupy the thoughts of God, and are there any other than thoughts of peace which He entertains? A few drops of this oil will keep the wheels of your faith in motion.

To better understand the nature of our enemy let us note the term Paul uses here: wiles, or methods. The word in the Greek connotes "that art and order one observes in handing an argument." Now because it implies extraordinary skill and a sharp wit to compose that kind of discourse, wiles is used to express the subtlety of Satan in planning his strategy against the Christian. The expert soldier is keenly aware of this order, as well as the scholar. He understands there is method in forming an army, as well as in framing an argument.

Because the devil is a very subtle enemy, the saint must always be on his guard. Satan is called the old serpent. The serpent is subtle above the other creatures; and an old serpent, above other serpents.”

Although we in our own wisdom and strength are no match for the enemy, God empowers us and gives us the wisdom we need to overcome the enemy at the right time by His Spirit. So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zach 4:6.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S. Bell http://www.moodypublishers.com/

SATAN'S SURPRISE ATTACK

“Perhaps you are a parent with a family under your wing. They fare much as you do.

One of Satan's favorite maneuvers is the surprise attack. Imagine the confusion in a town if an alarm suddenly sounded in the dead of night, signaling the enemy was already at the gates-- but all the soldiers were home in bed. What turmoil would ensue! One hunts his pants, another his sword, a third does not know what to do for ammunition. Thus in utter chaos they run up and down, spreading panic-- which could never happen if the enemy had found them upon their guard. A similar uproar will occur if you do not keep your spiritual armor on. You will be feverishly searching for this grace and that when you should have already reported to Christ for active duty.

Not only are active graces necessary for your own protection, but also for the help and comfort of other Christians. Paul had this in mind when he disciplined himself to keep a good conscience so as not to be a scandal to other believers. He knew that the cowardice of one may make others run; that the ignorance of another may do mischief to many. How often has the waywardness of a saint seduced a fellow Christian to leave the narrow path for the broad road that leads to destruction? This is among the gravest of errors for we are commanded to do just the opposite! God told the Reubenites and the Gadites to go before their brethren armed for battle, until the land was conquered. Thus you are to assist your fellow brethren who may not have the same measure of grace or comfort as you. Help such weak ones; be their shield bearer. This you will not be able to do unless your own grace is exercised, your armor buckled on.

Perhaps you are a parent with a family under your wing. They fare much as you do. If your heart is feasting on Christ, you will never find yourself in short supply when caring for their spiritual needs. On the other hand, if your own heart is malnourished, they will go hungry for spiritual food.” 


So very well said! We live in a world where people are much like those in the book of judges, which says, “Everyone did that which is right in there own eyes.” When our eyes are firmly fixed on God and His word we are much more likely to be a help to and not a hindrance to those around us who also need the grace, wisdom and strength God provides.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S. Bell http://www.moodypublishers.com/

ALERT FOR THE ENEMY

“Surely," says Satan when he sees a fervent Christian, "this will not last long."

Where the soldier is placed, there he stands and must neither stir nor sleep till he is discharged. When Christ comes, only that soul whom He finds so doing shall have His blessing.

Why is Christ so insistent that His soldiers remain on alert? Because Satan's actions demand it. Satan's advantage is great when he catches our graces napping. When the devil found Christ so ready to repel his temptation, he soon had enough. It is said, "He departed... for a season" Luke 4:13. But in his shameful retreat it seems he comforted himself with the hopes of surprising Christ unawares at another time more advantageous to his design. And we do find him coming again at the most likely time to have had his way-- but only if his enemy had been man and not God Matthew 27:42.

Now if this bold tempter watched Christ so closely, does it not seem likely he will scout you, too, hoping sooner or later to find your graces slumbering? What he misses now by your watchfulness he may gain later by your negligence. In fact, he hopes you will push yourself to exhaustion with continual duty. What fiendish pleasure he would derive from turning the tables on your sincere efforts for Christ. "Surely," says Satan when he sees a fervent Christian, "this will not last long." When he finds him most sensitive to the Spirit and scrupulous in conduct, he says, "This is but for a while; he cannot keep it up for long. Soon he will unbend his bow and unbuckle his armor, and then I will have at him." But this can never happen as long as we are continually applying to God for our strength.

Satan is not the only pitfall; the nature of our graces makes diligence essential. If not watched closely, they will play the truant. And a soul long absent from the school of obedience will not be eager to return and take up his old assignments.”

In today’s study Satan’s diligent attempts to trip us up and our not so perfect ability to be faithful are the focus. What is missing is the watchful eye of God on us who are His beloved. God is eager to deliver us and keep us from the sifting of Satan even as He was for Peter. We need not fear Satan but we must be diligent in our pursuit of God and His ways.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S. Bell http://www.moodypublishers.com/

THE ARMOR MUST BE KEPT ON

“He tells us to have our armor on, our grace in action: "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning" Luke 12:35. The Christian's armor is made to be worn-- no taking it off until you have finished your course. Your armor and your garment of flesh come off together. Then there will be no more need of shield or helmet, no more late night watches. Those military duties and field graces-- as I may call faith, hope, and the rest, shall be honorably discharged. In heaven you shall appear, not in armor, but in robes of glory.

Nevertheless, for the present you must wear your assigned suit night and day. You must walk, work, and sleep in it or you are not a true soldier of Christ. Paul set himself a goal: "So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man" (Acts 24:16). Here we see this holy man at his arms, training like a true soldier, his own heart the target range on which he practices all the graces in preparation for battle. We have ample reasons to conduct ourselves in like manner.

He speaks as a general to his soldiers: "Oil your armor; light your torch; be ready to march. Prepare to fight at the first alarm of temptation!" Again He speaks, this time as a master to his servants: "If the lord of the manor is called away and the hour of his return uncertain, will a faithful servant bolt the door, douse the fire, and retire? No, he will stand watch through the night, ready to greet the master whenever he comes." Meaning, it is not fit for the Master to stand at our heart's door knocking, and find our graces sleeping.

Every duty of the Christian demands this constant effort. Pray he must, but how? "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We must hold our shield of faith and helmet of hope to the very end (Ephesians 6:16-17).ESV 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S. Bell http://www.moodypublishers.com/ I have replaced the books translation with the ESV and deleted repetitive portions.  Artwork from Rose Publishing.