Satan's Devices to Draw the Soul into Sin (Device7)

Seventh Device: Satan will encourage one to venture near temptations.  He says, "You can walk by the harlot's door without going into her bed.; you can sup with the drunkard without getting drunk with him; you can look upon Jezebel's beauty and toy with Delilah without committing wickedness with either."

First remedy:  Dwell on those scriptures that expressly command us to avoid all occasions to sin, and the least appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).  The Bible not only forbids sin, but also those things that would lead us into sin.  If you would not be burned, then stay away from the fire and if you would not hear the bell then don't pull the rope! To walk in front of sin's door and then to pray, "lead us not into temptation," is the same as sticking one's hand into the flame and praying that it would not get burnt.  God considers it all wisdom to stay away from everything that might lead us into evil (Proverbs 4:14-15, Jude 23). 

Second remedy: Consider that there is ordinarily no conquest over sin unless we turn from all opportunities to sin.  God does not remove the temptation unless you turn from the occasion.   As long as there is fuel in our hearts for a temptation, we cannot be secure.  If you are carrying gunpowder, you need to stay away from sparks!

Third remedy: Remember those saints that have gone before and are now rejoicing in heaven, how they avoided every occasion to sin as hell itself.  Think of Joseph (Genesis 39:10).  Consider those who made a Nazirite vow, that would not only abstain from wine, but would not even eat a grape.  Think of righteous Job (Job 31:1) or David (Psalm 26:4-5) and follow those whose godly example teaches us to avoid every occasion to sin.  If we would be equal with them in glory we should strive to be like them in grace. 

Fourth Remedy: Consider that avoiding occasions to sin is an evidence of grace that lifts men above others and accurately reflects one's character.  It takes a Daniel to be holy in Babylon.  A man truly belongs to Christ when he can avoid occasions to sin even though he walks among them.  Nothing but grace can fence a man against occasions to sin when he is strongly tempted to seek them.  So if you want sure evidence of grace in your heart then shun every opportunity to venture near to sin. 

Satan's Devices to Draw the Soul into Sin (Device 6)

Sixth Device: He will persuade you that the work of repentance is easy, and therefore you need not fret over sin.  Satan will seek to convince you that you may sin and then merely cry, "God have mercy on me!"  By this device Satan has made millions of souls slaves of sin. 

First Remedy: To consider that repentance is a difficult work; one that is outside our natural ability.  Repentance is a flower that does not grow in nature's garden.  Men forget that repentance is a gift from God.  Men are not born with repentance in their hearts in the way that they are born with tongues in their mouths.  Consider how Peter speaks of Christ granting repentance to Israel (Acts 5:31). Also consider Paul's words in 2 Timothy 2:25.  It is not in the power of any man to repent at his own pleasure. 
Some poor, ignorant souls have deluded themselves that the mere words, "Lord have mercy on me," are enough to send them to heaven.  But just as many have been deceived by counterfeit jewels, so many have been deceived by their supposed repentance. 

Second Remedy: Consider the true nature of repentance. Repentance consists of three things.
First, the formal act of repentance involves a changing and converting.  It is often spoken of in Scripture as a turning (Jeremiah 31:18-19).  It is a turning from darkness to light. 
Second, the subject changed and converted is the whole man.  It is both the sinners heart and life.  First his person, then his life and conversation.
Third, the terms of this change is from sin to God (Isaiah 55:7).  The heart must be changed from the state and power of sin and the life from acts of sin, but unless this turning is from sin to God it is an incomplete change. 
Also consider, that this means turning from even the most precious sins and then ask yourself again if repentance is such an easy thing.  Repentance means a turning from all sin to all good.  It is not enough that the tree stops bearing bad fruit, but that it must bring forth good fruit or else be cut down and cast into the fire (Luke 13:7).
We may conclude this second device with the saying of a wise and holy man, "Repentance strips us naked of all the garments of the old Adam and leaves us not a shirt."  As the flood drowned Noah's own friends and servants, so must the flood of repenting tears drown our sweetest and most profitable sins. 

Third Remedy: To consider that repentance is a continuous act. Repentance is a grace and must operate daily in the same way as other graces.  True repentance is a spring where the waters of godly sorrow are always flowing (Psalm 51:3).  A true penitent always has something to turn from and can never get near enough to God. 

Fourth Remedy:  If repentance was as easy as Satan makes it out to be, there would not be multitudes in hell for not repenting.  If repentance is so easy why do wicked men's hearts rise up against the very thought of it.  Surely, if repentance were so easy, men would not become so enraged when the doctrine was put before them!

Fifth Remedy: Remember that to repent of sin is as great a work of grace as avoiding sin. The work of grace that tends to preserve a man from sin is the same that causes him to rise to repentance when he has fallen into sin.  It was confidence in God's mercy and love; that He would bind them and heal their wounds and revive their dejected spirits that caused Israel to return to the Lord in Hosea's day (Hos. 6:1-2).

Sixth Remedy:  Remember that Satan, who now tempts you to believe that repentance is easy will be the one who works to bring you to despair and after you sin and will then try to convince you that repentance is the hardest work in the world!  He will accuse you and tempt you to see nothing but the wrath of God against sin and the mouth of hell open and ready to receive the impenitent soul.  He will work to convince you that you have no power over sin and to remind you of the number of times that you ave resolved to leave sin behind and failed.  "Why, for such a wretch as you, repentance is impossible," he will say!
Learn this device well.  He that now tempts you to sin by suggesting the ease of repentance will at last work you to despair by suggesting that repentance is the hardest work in the world and completely outside your ability.  Be wise, and break off your sins through a lifestyle of repentance!

Satan's Devices to Draw the Soul into Sin (Device 5)

Fifth Device: To present God as made up only of mercy.  Satan says, " You don't need to make a big deal of sin, because God delights in showing mercy.  He is more ready to pardon than punish his people so why trouble yourself over a little sin?"

First Remedy: Consider that the worst judgment God can render is to let us sin with impunity.  It is an unhappy state when God leaves a man to himself and does not convict him of his sins.  When the road to hell becomes smooth and pleasant, it is a dreadful sign of God's indignation against a man.  A soul given up to sin is a soul that is ripe for hell.  As Brooks says, "Ah Lord! This mercy I humbly beg, that whatever thou givest me up to, thou will not give up to the ways of my own heart; if thou will give me up to be afflicted, or tempted, or reproached, I will patiently sit down and say, 'It is the Lord; let him do with me what seems good in his own eyes.' Do anything with me, lay what burden thou wilt upon me so thou dost not give me up to the ways of my own heart."

Second Remedy: Remember God's justice as well as His mercy. Though the Scriptures speak of God's mercy, they also speak of His justice.  Read of how he cast rebellious angels out of heaven (2 Peter 2:4), or how he banished Adam and Eve from paradise.  Remember how he flooded the earth for its wickedness and rained destruction upon Sodom.  Above all, see his justice poured out on His own Son as he bore the sins of the people (Matt. 27:46).

Third Remedy: Consider that sins against mercy will bring the worst judgments.  When mercy is despised, then justice takes the throne.  God is like a prince that first sends heralds to a rebellious city with white flags of mercy; if this wins men, then they are blessed forever, but if they spurn mercy, he sends his armies of justice and judgment. 

Fourth Remedy: Consider that although God's general mercy is over all his works, His special mercy is confined to those who are divinely qualified (Exodus 34:6-7; Exodus 20:6; Psalm 25:10; Psalm 32:10; Psalm 33:18; Psalm 103:11). Yes, God is merciful, but that mercy is displayed toward those that fear Him, trust Him, hope in Him, love Him and keep His commandments.  Can you say that this is true of you? 

Fifth Remedy: Consider that those that were once glorious on earth, and are now triumphing in heaven, looked upon the mercy of God as the most powerful argument to keep them from sin and not an an encouragement to sin.  Consider how Joseph was strengthened against temptation (Genesis 39:9).  His eye was fixed upon mercy and therefore sin could not enter his heart.  Hear the words of Paul (Romans 6:1-2).  There is nothing in the world that renders a man more unlike a saint, and more like Satan, than to argue for sinful liberty because God is merciful.  This is the devil's logic and in whomever you find it, you can consider that man lost. 

Satan's Devices to Draw the Soul into Sin (Device 4)

Fourth Device:  By presenting the best men's sins and hiding their virtues, sorrow and repentance.  He will set before us the adultery of David, the pride of Hezekiah, the impatience of Job, the drunkenness of Noah and the denials of Peter all the while hiding their tears, sorrow and repentance.

First Remedy: Remember that the Spirit of the Lord has been as careful to record the saints rising in repentance as he has their falling into sin.  David sins greatly but repents powerfully (Psalm 51).  Peter denies Christ, but a look of love from the savior melts him into tears.  We can sin as easily as the saints, but can we repent with them?  There are many who can sin with David and Peter, that cannot repent with David and Peter, and so must perish forever. 

Second Remedy: We must also consider that these saints did not make a practice of sin.  They fell once or twice and rose by repentance so that they could keep near Christ forever.  These saints fell accidentally, occasionally and with much reluctance, but this cannot be confused with those who sin presumptuously, readily and customarily.  The man who makes a practice of sin takes it on as another nature which he cannot and will not lay aside.  But you must lay it aside! If sin and your soul do not part, then Christ and your soul cannot meet.

Third Remedy: Remember that though God does not disinherit his people  for their sins, he does severely punish them for their sins.  David sins and God breaks his bones for that sin (Psalm 51:8; 2 Samuel 12:10).  God will never break his covenant nor utterly remove his lovingkindness, yet he will discipline and chastise his people to bring them back into line.  When Satan draws your attention to other men's sins to encourage you to sin, think just as seriously about their sufferings to keep you from sin.  If you sin with David, you must suffer with David.

Fourth Remedy:  Remember that there are two main reasons why God records the falls of His saints.  The first is to keep those who do fall from weakness and infirmity from sinking into despair under the burden of their sins.  The second is that their falls would stand as landmarks to warn others that stand to take heed, lest they fall.  It never entered the heart of God to record his children's sins, so that others would be encouraged to sin, but rather that we would cling more firmly to Christ so that we might not fall as others.  Nothing could be more contrary to God's purposes than to justify one's sin because other great saints have sinned themselves.  When you find such a man, you can be certain that he is Christless, graceless, cast off by God and held fast by Satan.  Only God knows that man's end.

Satan's Devices to Draw the Soul into Sin (Device 3)

Third Device: Satan will diminish the seriousness of sin.  He will convince you that it is just a little pride, a little worldliness, a little drunkenness, a little uncleanness, etc. You can commit that without any serious danger to your soul. 


First Remedy:  Consider that those sins we think are small have often resulted in the greatest wrath of God.  For Adam and Eve it was just the eating of a piece of fruit.  For the Israelites, it was gathering a few sticks on the sabbath day.  Fur Uzza, it was just to reach out his hand to steady the Ark of God (1 Chronicles 13:10). Think of the dreadful wrath these sins brought upon those who committed them. Remember that the least sin is contrary to the law, the nature, the being and the glory of God and therefore must be punished most severely. 

Second Remedy: Remember that giving in to lesser sins leads to the committing of greater ones.  Sin creeps upon us by degrees, step by step, until it has us completely in its grasp.  Consider David, who started with a wandering eye that led to adultery and eventually murder.  Satan would have you start with unclean thoughts, which lead to unclean looks, leading to unclean words, at last becoming unclean in your practices.  When a man or woman begins to sin, they do not know where it will end.  A person travels easily from evil to evil, folly to folly, until they are ripe for eternal misery. 

Third Remedy: Consider how sad it is to turn your back on God over a trivial sin.  It would be the greatest offense to sever a friendship over a trifle, how much more to breach our fellowship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Truine God who is your greatest friend, by yielding to his greatest enemy. 

Fourth Remedy: Consider how great a danger is present in even the smallest sins.  As Paul says, "A little leaven,leavens the whole lump" (1 Cor. 5:6). A small hole in a ship can sink it; a small stab in the heart can kill a man; a little sin without a great deal of mercy will condemn a man. 

Fifth Remedy: Remember that many saints have chosen to suffer the greatest torments rather than commit the least sin.  You see this in Daniel and his companions, who chose the fiery furnace and the lions den rather than worship any other than God.  We should be ready to suffer the worst torments that men and devils can inflict rather than allow God to be dishonored, our consciences wounded, religion reproached or our souls endangered.

Sixth Remedy: Remember that no one will be able to stand under the guilt and weight of the least sin when God brings it home to the soul.  The least sin will press the stoutest sinner as low as hell.  Think of how God used the smallest creature, the gnat, to plague mighty Pharaoh until he cried out for mercy.  In this way, when God gives power to the smallest sin and arms it against the soul, the soul will retreat away from it. 

Seventh Remedy:  Consider that there is more evil in the least sin than the greatest affliction.  The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23) whether that sin be great or small.  God did not spare his son for the least of sins, but made him drink the cup of his wrath to the last drop. Let this cause you to tremble at the least sin as though it were hell itself. 

Satan's Devices to Draw the Soul into Sin (Device 2)

Second Device: Satan will paint sin with virtues colors.  Satan knows that if he presents sin in its true colors we would run from it rather than yield to it, so he disguises it as virtue.  For example, pride comes disguised as neatness and cleanliness; greed ( which Paul condemns as idolatry in Colossians 3:5) comes disguised as carefully managing one's own affairs; drunkenness as good fellowship, etc.

First Remedy:  Remember that sin is no less vile though it is disguised as virtue. A wolf is no less a wolf though he is wearing sheep's clothing, nor is the devil any less the devil because he comes disguised as an angel of light. 

Second Remedy: Consider that the more sin is painted with the colors of virtue, the more dangerous it is to the souls of men.  Just as the most dangerous serpent can hide under the fairest flower, and the most beautiful clothing can cover the vilest person, so can the sweetest names be placed upon the worst vices. 

Third Remedy: Remember to look on sin as you will look on it in eternity. When you stand before the judgment seat of Christ, how will that sin appear then? On that day God will strip away the paint and varnish and you will gaze at the truly hideous form of that sin.  Strive to look upon sin as you will look upon it for all eternity and as God, conscience and Satan will present it to you on another day. 

Fourth Remedy: Consider that those very sins that Satan paints with the most beautiful colors are those that cost Christ his blood.  Someone wisely said, "Never let go out of your minds the thoughts of a crucified Christ." Those sins that seem least harmful cost the most precious and noblest blood of all! 

Satan's Devices to Draw the Soul into Sin (Device 1)

First Device: To Present the Bait and Hide the Hook

He presents the golden cup and hides the poison; he presents the pleasure of yielding to sin all the while hiding the wrath and misery that will follow the committing of the sin.  It is by this device that he took our first parents (Genesis 3:4-5).  He promised that their eyes would be opened and they would be like gods, knowing good and evil, but took great pains to hide the shame and wrath that would certainly follow. They exchanged paradise for a piece of fruit.  He attempted the same thing with Christ (Matt. 4:8-9), but his fire fell upon wet tinder. 
Through the promise of profit and pleasure Satan has used the worlds trinkets to beguile multitudes, but these twin breasts of Satan's harlot can never deliver what they promise.  As Brooks says, "Adversity has slain its thousands, but prosperity her ten thousand."

First Remedy: To keep the greatest distance from sin and from playing with the bait that Satan uses to catch you (Romans 12:9).  The best way to keep from falling into a pit is to stay the greatest distance from it.  Joseph kept a distance from Satan's bait and withstood temptation while David ventured near with devastating effects. 

Second Remedy: To consider that sin is a bitter sweet.  The thing that seems most sweet about sin will soon vanish only to leave lasting shame, sorrow, horror and terror.  Many eat on earth what they will digest in hell.  Men must not think that they will dance and dine with the devil and then feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  Though sin may please a little at first, it will kill the soul at last. 

Third Remedy:  Consider that sin will usher in the saddest and greatest losses that can be upon our souls.  It will bring about the loss of God's favor, which is better than life; the loss of the peace that surpasses understanding and the loss of divine influences through which you are refreshed, quickened, raised, strengthened and made joyful. 

Fourth Remedy: Consider that sin is of a very deceitful and bewitching nature (Hebrews 3:13).  Like Delilah, it will smile at us while betraying us into the hands of the devil just as she did to Samson.  Sin gives Satan a power over us, and an advantage to accuse us and to lay claim over us.  It will lead us into calling evil good and good evil; bitter sweet and sweet bitter; light darkness and darkness light.  Sin will so twist and harden a heart until a man would rather have sin than God.  He would rather lose God, Christ, Heaven and his own soul than to part with his sin.  Take heed of nibbling at Satan's golden baits.