CHARACTER OF THE GREAT ADVERSARY. 97 These, with numerous other passages, fully establish the fearful truth that we are continually beset by an evil spirit, who is seeking to injure and destroy our souls. When we have to contend with an enemy, it is important that we should know his character. From the Scriptures, we learn several characteristics of the great enemy of our souls: 1. He is powerful. He has other fallen spirits at his command. Our Saviour speaks of the "fire prepared for the devil and his angels." He is called "prince of this world," "prince of darkness," and "the god of this world." All these titles denote the exercise of great power. He is also called destroyer; and is said to walk about, seeking whom he may devour. Indeed, so great was his power, and so mighty his work of ruin and destruction in this lost world, that it became necessary for the Son of God to come into the world to destroy his works. "For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." But, although he is powerful, yet his power is limited. This you see in the case of Job. No doubt his malice would have destroyed that holy man at once. But he could do nothing against him till he was permitted; and then he could go no farther than the length of his chain. God reserved the life of his servant. Jude, also, speaks of the devils as being "reserved in chains, under darkness." But the objection arises, "As God is almighty, why is Satan permitted to exercise any 98 HIS KNOWLEDGE. power at all?" To this objection, the Bible furnishes satisfactory answers. (1.) It is to try the faith of his children. This was the case with Job. The devil had slandered that holy man, by accusing him of serving God from selfish motives. By suffering Satan to take away all he had, the Lord proved this accusation to be false; and Job came out of the furnace greatly purified. The apostle James says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." If the children of God were never tempted, they would never have an opportunity to prove the sincerity of their faith. But they have the blessed assurance that God will not suffer them to be tempted above what they are able to bear, but will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that they may be able to bear it. (2.) Again, the devil is permitted to exercise his power for the discovery of hypocrites, and for the punishment of sinners. "These have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." "But, if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not." He knew the comparents, and therefore When those that were 2. He has much knowledge. mand of God to our first tempted them to break it. brought to Christ, they possessed with devils were cried out, "We know thee, who thou art; the holy one of God." He has also a knowledge of the HE IS WICKED, CRAFTY, AND FALSE. 99 Bible; for he quoted Scripture in his temptation of our Saviour. And, as he has great experience in the world, he must have a great knowledge of human nature, so as to be able to suit his temptations to the peculiar constitutions of individuals. 3. He is wicked. "The devil sinneth from the beginning." He is called the wicked one; or, by way of eminence, "The Wicked." He is altogether wicked. There is not one good quality in his character. 4. He is crafty, and full of deceit and treachery. He lays snares for the unwary. That he may the more readily deceive the people of God, he appears to them in the garb of religion. "Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." In consequence of his cunning and craft, he is called the serpent.* He is also represented as deceiving the nations. † Hence we are cautioned against the wiles of the devil. ‡ 5. He is a liar. The first thing recorded of him is the lie which he told our first parents, to persuade them to disobey God. Hence our Saviour calls him a "liar from the beginning." 6. He is malicious. As Satan is the enemy of God, so he hates every thing that is good. He is continually bent on mischief. If his power were not restrained, he would introduce general disorder, anarchy, and confusion into the government of God. He loves to ruin immortal souls; and he * Gen. iii. 1; Isa. xxvii. 1; Rev. xii. 9. + Rev. xx. 8. 100 DEVICES OF SATAN. takes delight in vexing the people of God. Hence he is called destroyer,* adversary, accuser, tormentor, and murderer.† Now, since we are beset by an adversary of such knowledge and power, so sly and artful, so false and so malicious, it becomes us to be well acquainted with his arts, that we may be on our guard against them. Paul says, "For we are not ignorant of his devices." O that every Christian could say so! How many sad falls would be prevented! I will mention a few of the devices of Satan, which are manifest both from Scripture and experience. It is the opinion of some great and good men, that the devil can suggest thoughts to our minds only through the imagination. This is that faculty of the mind by which it forms ideas of things communicated to it through the senses. Thus, when you see, hear, feel, taste, or smell any thing, the image of the thing is impressed upon the mind by the imagination. It also brings to our recollection these images when they are not present. It is thought to be only by impressing these images upon the imagination, that he can operate upon our souls. Hence we may account for the strange manner in which our minds are led off from the contemplation of divine things by a singular train of thought, introduced to the mind by the impression of some sensible object upon the *Abaddon signifies destroyer. + Rev. ix. 11; 1 Pet. v. 8; Rev. xii. 10; Matt. xviii. 34; John viii. 44. DEVICES OF SATAN. 101 imagination. This object brings some other one like it to our recollection, and that again brings another, until we wander entirely from the subject before us, and find our minds lost in a maze of intellectual trifling. Satan adapts his temptations to our peculiar tempers and circumstances. In youth, he allures us by pleasure, and bright hopes of worldly prosperity. In manhood, he seeks to bury up our hearts in the cares of life. In old age, he persuades to the indulgence of self-will and obstinacy. In prosperity, he puffs up the heart with pride, and persuades to self-confidence and forgetfulness of God. In poverty and affliction, he excites feelings of discontent, distrust, and repining. If we are of a melancholy temperament, he seeks to sour our tempers, and promote habitual sullenness and despondency. If naturally cheerful, he prompts to the indulgence of levity. In private devotion, he stands between us and God, prevents us from realizing his presence, and seeks to distract our minds, and drive us from the throne of grace. In public worship, he disturbs our minds by wandering thoughts and foolish imaginations. When we have enjoyed any happy manifestations of God's presence, any precious tokens of his love, then he stirs up the pride of our hearts, and leads us to trust in our own goodness, and forget the Rock of our salvation. Even our deepest humiliations he makes the occasion of spiritual pride. Thus we fall into darkness, and thrust ourselves through |