'Great Controversy -
Chapter XXXII-Snares of Satan …cont…
Still another subtle
and mischievous error is the fast-spreading 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 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 character. 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!” [Romans11:33.] 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 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 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 theirf oes: “Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and
cursed is he that curseth thee.” [Numbers 24:9.] 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 besecure. 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.”'
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