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.