Chapter 32 : 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.

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.

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 may not reach those whom [519]

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.

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.

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.

But none need be deceived concerning them. It may be readily

seen whose children they are, whose example they follow, and whose

[520] work they do. “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” [Matthew 7:16.]

Their course resembles that of Satan, the envenomed slanderer, “the

accuser of our brethren.” [Revelation 12:10.]

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.

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.

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.

In order to sustain erroneous doctrines or unchristian practices, [521]

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.

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.

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.” [Habakkuk 2:2.] The Word of God is

[522] plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. Every truly honest

soul will come to the light of truth. “Light is sown for the righteous.”

[Psalm 97:11.] And no church can advance in holiness unless its

members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure.

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.

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.

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 farther, 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.

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

Jehovah, that they would realize their own littleness, and would be [523]

content with that which has been revealed for themselves and their

children.

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.

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, “For this cause God shall send them strong [524]

delusion, that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned

who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” [2

Thessalonians 2:10-12.] With such a warning before us, it behooves

us to be on our guard as to what doctrines we receive.

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.

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 Corinthians 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.

Still another subtle and mischievous error is the fast-spreading

[525] belief that Satan has no existence as a personal being; that the name

is used in Scripture merely to represent men’s evil thoughts and

desires.

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;” [Matthew 24:23-26.] and many souls

have been lost by accepting this deception.

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.

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,

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; and since these are represented [526]

as the teaching of the Bible, he refuses to receive it as the Word of

God.

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.

God has given in his Word sufficient evidence of its divine char-

[527] acter. The great truths which 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 unsearchable 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 for

our good to know, and beyond that we must trust the Hand that is

omnipotent, the Heart that is full of love.

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.

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.

But those who doubt God’s promises, and distrust the assurance

of his grace, are dishonoring him; and their influence, instead of [528]

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.

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.

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.” [Matthew 7:7; John 7:17.]

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

[529] 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 unto 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 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!” [Numbers 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.” [Numbers 24:9.]

[530] The people of Israel were at this time loyal to God; and 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.

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.”