Device 11 - Satan will cloud the minds and judgments of men with dangerous errors of doctrine that will lead them into sin. For example, he will encourage us to have such low views of Scripture, the ordinances, or the church that we begin to think that these things are unimportant.
First Remedy - Consider that wrong beliefs are just as evil to God as evil deeds. Think about Romans 1:28. Because men suppressed the truth in unrighteousness, God's punishment was to give them over to depraved minds. Depraved minds lead to depraved deeds. We cannot separate thought from action.
Second Remedy - Be ready and willing to receive the truth and to let it dwell in your heart. When men bar the doors of their hearts against truth, God gives them up to be deluded and deceived by error to their eternal undoing (2Thessalonians 2:10-12). It is not he that receives the most truth into his head, but the one that receives it affectionately into his heart that will enjoy the blessing of sound judgment and discernment while others are deluded and deceived by error. If you would love truth then don't let God's word be a stranger but make it your best friend!
Third Remedy - Remember that maintaining error, even those sincerely held, brings nothing but loss. Consider Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. All those who rise early and retire late and travel the world to propagate falsehood will lose all the fruits of their labor no matter how sincerely they held those beliefs. How sad to discover in eternity that one's labors will burn up in futility. How much wiser to 'buy truth and sell it not" (Proverbs 23:23).
Fourth Remedy - Learn to hate every doctrine that would lead to legalism or license and that would substitute our righteousness for that of Christ's.
Fifth Remedy - Hold fast to truth (1 Tim. 1:13; Titus 1:9)! Hasn't truth been your best friend on your worst days? Hasn't truth stood by you when others have forsaken you? Hasn't it done more for you than all the world? How then can you forsake the least truth of God? Truth is your right eye, without which you cannot see Christ. It is your right hand, without which you cannot work for Christ. It is your right foot, without which you cannot walk with Christ. Learn to treasure it more than rubies and gold (Proverbs 3:15)!
Sixth Remedy - Keep Humble! Just as low trees and shrubs are safer from violent winds, so humble souls are safer from the blasts of Satan that would tear down proud men. The God of light and truth delights to dwell with the humble, and the more light and truth dwell in your hearts the further off darkness and error will stand from your soul.
Seventh Remedy - Consider the great evils that false doctrines have produced. "Error is a fruitful mother, and hath brought forth such monstrous children as hath set towns, cities and nations on fire." Ideas have consequences!
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