The Great Deceiver!

The Great Deceiver!

It seems to me, that in the present day, the agency, power, and determined activity of satan, in doing mischief, is too much lost sight of. If he can get us to lose sight of his presence and power - he can carry out his schemes with so much the more ease. The representations given of him in God's word are calculated, if not to excite alarm, to make us cautious, careful and watchful. Just look at one, "That old serpent called the devil, and satan, which deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). Here is,

Our enemy. He is represented by a great dragon; because so quick-sighted and cruel. None escape his notice, or remain unmolested by him. He is that old serpent, full of subtlety, craft, and cunning. He is powerful, far beyond what most give him credit for - and brings the experience of six thousand years to bear upon his victims. He is called "the devil," a forger of calumnies, an accuser, who accuses the saints day and night. He is also called "satan," an adversary, a legal adversary, one who is well versed in the law, and who opposes the Lord's people in the court of justice.

He is full of bitter hatred to believers, because they love the Saviour, and desire to honor him. His malice is deep and dreadful, which prompts him in every way to seek to injure them. He hates them because they have escaped out of his hand, they oppose his kingdom and government; they hate sin, and pant, and pray, and strive for holiness. He is a terrible foe, for he never wearies, and though foiled a thousand times - he will renew the attack! If he knows that he cannot devour us, he will do all he can to worry us; and though we may be off our guard - he is never off his!

His Work. "He deceives the whole world." He delights to deceive, and he will do so on any point - but especially in reference to spiritual things. He deceives by misrepresenting objects. He represents sin as harmless, painful, pleasant, and much to be desired. He represents holiness as repulsive, injurious, gloomy, and undignified. He represents man to himself as innocent, injured, dignified, and deserving God's blessing. He represents himself as man's friend, pitying, and wishing to elevate him, and make him happy. He represents God as severe, cruel, revengeful, and almost implacable. He represents the law as harsh, severe, and unnecessarily strict. He represents the gospel as degrading to man, and very little better than the law. Indeed every spiritual object is misrepresented by him! 

He blinds the mind, conceals the true nature of the gospel by prejudices, errors, or superstition and hides the Saviour from man's view.

He makes use of all kinds of error, and all sorts of false teachers, to hinder God's work, eclipse the glory of the gospel, and destroy the souls of men.

He counterfeits the work of the Holy Spirit, leading souls to rest in slight convictions, feeble impressions, false joys, natural excitement, or the performance of religious duties - and so stop short of Christ. He will do anything and everything - to keep the sinner from Christ, driving him to presumption or despair. If he can lull the soul into false security, his end is answered, and the doom of the poor creature is sealed!

The Extent of his Success. "He deceives the whole world!" The Church is rescued from his grasp, by sovereign and invincible grace; "being delivered from the power of satan, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son." But outside the true church of Christ - satan exercises authority, exerts his power, and deceives all but the elect. In all places, among all parties, and in all people - he works; exciting enmity against God, opposition to the gospel, and the indulgence of sin.

All around us we see satan working, deceiving, and leading souls captive at his will. It should lead us to walk carefully, examine diligently, pray fervently, watch daily, and sympathize deeply with those who are overcome and deceived by him.

Just so with the unsaved world, even when they hate us, persecute us, and reject the counsel of God against themselves - we must still pity them. What a fine example our beloved Lord sets us, when sinners had done their worst to insult, degrade, and make Him contemptible. He looked up to heaven, and prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.!

So may we say of multitudes around us; and of more who are under the influence of popery, paganism, Mohammedanism. They are deceived by satan, the father of lies, who has succeeded in blinding their minds! The poor wretches go on in darkness; and unless they are plucked as brands from the burning - must perish of their sins. O for that sympathy that will pity, pray for, and send the gospel to them, that they may be saved!

Of for wisdom to resist satan, and overcome him!

~James Smith~

(The End)