Q4 What are some of the ploys of Satan?
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. 1 Timothy 6:20,21.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8
NOTE: Satan uses subtle methods to take us from the simple truths that Jesus teaches us. He takes the true words spoken in the Bible and corrupts them. He uses science to stand in opposition to the plain words of the Bible, e.g. evolution against the special divine creation of life; or scientific statements to oppose the fact that when we die we sleep in death and know nothing. He uses philosophy to explain sin. All these are intended to take us from Jesus Christ against whom he is opposed.
Q5 What methods do Satan’s agents use to deceive and destroy?
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. 2 Thessalonians 2:8,9. (See Module 23 for more detail)
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do. Revelation 13:11-14 (See Module 23 for more detail)
NOTE: Satan always works through agents, sometimes political and civil forces who are able to make legislation to enforce the deceptions; sometimes religious powers; and at times both of these combined, using subtle and complicated arguments, lies, force, and deception, miracles and signs and wonders, even prophesied to come fire from heaven.
Q6 Why does Satan work to trap us?
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8
NOTE: The devil is trying to implicate all the human race in his evil so that as many as possible are reduced to ashes when he is. Nothing he does is positive or for our good, but only to degrade and destroy those who were created in the image of God.
Q7 In everyday life what stratagems of the devil are particularly effective?
And that [the seed of the Word of God] which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Luke 8:14
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Luke 21:33,34. |
