Section 3: Fourth Device

Satan’s Devices to Keep Souls from Holy Duties,

To Hinder Souls in Holy Services,

& to Keep Them Off from Religious Performances

Fourth Device – Satan will make false inferences about our duties to God based upon Christ’s perfect work on our behalf.  He will say that because of all Christ has done for us there is nothing for us to do but rest and rejoice.  Since He has perfectly justified us and fulfilled the law and satisfied divine justice and pacified the Father’s wrath and has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us and intercede for us; therefore, there is no need for praying, and serving.  

First Remedy – To spend just as much time on those scriptures that show us the duties and services Christ requires of us as upon those that declare the precious and glorious things that He has done for us.  It is a dangerous thing to look with both eyes at our dignity and privileges and not to look with one eye to see our duties and services.  Consider the following Scriptures that call us to action:

•  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body
• 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain
• Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always,
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,
• Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
• 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
• Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near

If we would avoid this snare of Satan, we must make these scriptures and others like them to be our best friends and they will draw us near to Christ and His service.  

Second Remedy – consider that those glorious things Jesus has done and is doing for us, far from keeping us from duty and service, should be the greatest motive and encouragement to their performance.  Since Christ has freed us from our sins, the curse of the law, the sting of death and the torments of hell, what should our response be? It is not that we should throw off duties of righteousness and holiness, but that our hearts might be more encouraged in the performance of these duties.  So the apostle says, “…and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:18), and immediately follows it up with, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God,” (2 Cor. 7:1).  Consider again, Titus 2:12-14, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” There no better arguments for the performance of heavenly service than those drawn from consideration of the great and glorious things that Christ has done for you.

Third Remedy – Consider the example of eminent saints who experienced the blessings of Christ and were exceedingly active in their service to Him.  No one experienced more grace than David, but who has exceeded him in praising God, in study, and in meditation (Psalm 119:97; 119:164).  You can read the same of Jacob, Moses, Daniel and the rest of the prophets and apostles.  Christ has done as much for them as he has for you, but this did not cause them to be slothful in their duty.  Satan gains the upper hand when he can convince us to believe that Christ has done such glorious things for us that we need not take care to do such religious services that that the Word of God calls for.  The prophets and apostles knew nothing of such logic!

Fourth Remedy - Consider that those who do not walk in the ways of righteousness and holiness, and do not wait upon God in the duties and services commanded by him do not have the assurance and evidence of their fellowship and communion with God. The apostle John writes, “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous” (1 John 3:7). He goes on to write, “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:10 cf. James 2:14, 20).  If you would have in yourselves a constant and blessed evidence of your fellowship with the Father and the Son, and of the truth of your grace and future happiness, then be careful not to turn your back upon religious duties.  

Fifth Remedy – Remember that there are other glorious reasons for the performance of our duties than satisfying the law and justice of God or for purchasing the pardon of sin.  Consider Matthew 7:17, “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.” Our works give testimony of our love for God, of our deliverance from spiritual bondage, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  These and an abundance of other glorious reasons are given in Scripture and provide ample encouragement for active service.

Section 3: Third Device

Satan’s Devices to Keep Souls from Holy Duties,

To Hinder Souls in Holy Services,

& to Keep Them Off from Religious Performances

Third Device – Satan will present to the soul the difficulty of performing these duties.  He will tell you that it is hard to pray as you should, and to wait on God as you should and to walk with God as you should, and to be lively, warm and active in the communion of the saints as you should.  Doubtless, this device has kept thousands from waiting on God and from giving him the service that is due his name.  

First Remedy - To dwell more on the necessity of the service and duty than on its difficulties.  Instead of listening to Satan, preach to yourself!  Remind yourself that though these services are difficult they are necessary for the honor of God and the magnification of his name in the world.  They are useful in overcoming sin, strengthening weak graces, keeping clear the evidences of regeneration, scattering your fears and raising your hopes.  By such services we gladden the hearts of the righteous and silence the tongues of the unrighteous who look for every opportunity to blaspheme the name of God and besmirch His people.  Never think about the difficulties without thinking about the necessities and your soul will be lifted up above every trouble that attends religious duties.  

Second Remedy – Remember that the Lord Jesus will make such difficulties easy as he draws you to himself while you are in his service.  If meeting with God who is goodness itself, beauty itself, strength itself,  and glory itself will not sweeten your service to him, nothing in heaven and earth will.  When Jacob met with Rachel, it made his service to Laban seem easy in comparison (Genesis 29:20).  We can be sure that the Lord will assist us by His grace to make service joyous rather than grievous.  This is what gave Nehemiah confidence and raised his spirit above all the difficulties that accompanied his service to the Lord (Nehemiah 2:19-20).  While you are serving the Lord, you will find that the God of Heaven will prosper you, support you, encourage and strengthen you and carry you through the most difficult service with joy and gladness.  Remember that God will give you strength suitable to the task and when the service is most difficult you will receive the greatest assistance.  

Third Remedy - To dwell upon the difficulties that the Lord Jesus passed through for your temporal, spiritual and eternal good.  Christ did not complain that the cross was too heavy to bear; the wrath too great to endure; the cup  too bitter to drink.  Not once did Christ complain about the difficulty of the service!  Rather than plead the difficulty he sweetly and triumphantly passed through it all.  If this consideration does not move you past your discouragements then nothing will.  A soul not stirred by this, not raised up by this to be resolute in its service is a soul given up by God to much blindness and hardness.  

Fourth Remedy – Consider that religious duties and heavenly exercises are only difficult to the base and carnal part of a saint.  Here is the battle between the flesh and the Spirit! Paul describes this conflict in Romans 7:22, “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.” To the higher part of man, Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden is light (Mt. 11:30).  We are always at our best when we see the most of God, when we taste the most of God and when we find our greatest delight in serving Him.  Our prayer is that it would always be that way! Oh that our strength would not fail and our flesh would not falter and that we would work in tireless power toward that service to God that will give us the greatest pleasure. 

Fifth Remedy – consider that a great and glorious reward is given to those that cling to the service of the Lord in the face of all difficulties and discouragements.  One hour in heaven will abundantly repay you for clinging to the Lord in the face of all difficulties (Heb. 12:2).  If we would persevere we must look more to the crown than the cross, more to future glory than present misery, more upon holy encouragements than discouragements. In the same way that heat accompanies fire, there is always some degree of comfort that follows every good action (Psalm 19:11).

Section 3: Second Device

Satan’s Devices to Keep Souls from Holy Duties,

To Hinder Souls in Holy Services,

& to Keep Them Off from Religious Performances

Second Device: Satan will present all of the dangers, losses and sufferings that accompany the performance of these services.  In this way he has kept many who would have believed in Christ from confessing him.  This is what we see in John 12:42, “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue.” 

First Remedy – Consider that all the afflictions and troubles you meet in the way of righteousness can never truly harm you.  Remember the words of Peter, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? (1 Peter 3:13).  All the troubles that come to men in the way of righteousness can never rob them of their treasure.  The treasures of the saints are the presence of God, union and communion with God, the pardon of sin, the joy of the Spirit, the peace of conscience, which are jewels that Christ alone can give and none but Christ can take away.  A believer’s treasure is always safe in the hands of Christ; his life is safe, his soul is safe and his crown is safe. “…But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me” (2 Timothy 1:12). 

Second Remedy – Consider the saints who have gone before who have persevered in their service despite the difficulties that surrounded them.  Nehemiah and Ezra were surrounded by dangers and opposition, and yet, in the face of it all, they kept on building the Temple and the wall of Jerusalem.  Daniel and his friends, without any support and encouragement from countrymen of friends and in the face of many temptations and discouragements remained faithful to God in the palaces of Babylon. Though afflictions and imprisonments accompanied Paul and the other apostles, they persevered in their work and service to the Lord.  Why then, should we not take encouragement from such examples and carry on in our duties before God. 

Third Remedy – Consider that the dangers and troubles that hinder your service are only temporary, but the neglect of these duties can lay you open to spiritual and eternal danger.  “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,” (Hebrews 2:3).  Following Christ may bring about the frowns of men, but neglecting to follow Him opens one up to the frowns of God.  Remember that there is no one who will not suffer more by neglecting the ways of God than he will suffer by doing them.  Heavenly duties may cause you to lose earthly possessions but neglecting them can cause you to lose God, Christ, heaven and your soul forever.  

Fourth Remedy – Remember that God sometimes delivers us from greater trouble through lesser troubles.  There once was a godly man who broke his leg on the way to the airport who missed his flight that was taking him to speak at a conference, but the plane he would have been on crashed.  God spared his life through the lesser affliction.  Sometimes God places us in a situation that makes us heartsick but it is in order that we may be made perfect.  He purges from us those actions and attitudes that would rob us of Godliness. 

 

Fifth Remedy – Consider that you will gain more through service to God than you could ever possibly lose or suffer by being found in His service. Diligent saints will discover that religious service is not mere empty formality but rather those things in which God is pleased to reveal His beauty and glory to their souls.  David says, “So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory,” (Psalm 63:2). The saints can say in all their afflictions that they have meat to eat and drink to drink that the world does not know.  In their service they receive such reward and refreshing that they would not exchange them for all the riches and honors of this world.  Let a Christian compare his temporal losses with his spiritual and eternal gain and he will find that for every penny he loses in his service he will gain a dollar!  We may lose peace with the creature but we will find it with the Creator.  In exchange for “slight momentary afflictions,” they receive an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Section 3: First Device

Section 3

Satan’s Devices to Keep Souls from Holy Duties,

To Hinder Souls in Holy Services,

& to Keep Them Off from Religious Performances

Device 1 – Satan dresses up the world in such a way that it entraps and wins a person’s affections.  He presents the world in all its finery, which proves a bewitching sight to a world of men.  He tried this with Christ but could find nothing in Him for his temptation to work upon (Mt. 4:8-10). How many people have followed hard after God for a time until the devil beguiles them with the world’s finery and they start to neglect holy duties and eventually turn their back on them altogether (2 Timothy 4:10). Where a thousand have been destroyed by the world’s frowns, ten thousand have been destroyed by its smiles.  

First Remedy – To think on the impotency and weakness of things below.  A crown of gold cannot cure a headache.  Our own experience proves this when we see that all the riches and fame that men enjoy cannot keep them from common infirmities.  We also notice that great wealth cannot keep a man from falling into poverty.  Why then should something that cannot give you true comfort and security on earth keep you from gaining entrance to heaven?

Second Remedy – To think not only upon the impotency but the vanity of things below.  This is the sum of Solomon’s message in Ecclesiastes, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” He had tried all of these things and was able to pronounce with authority that anything but the fear of God was vanity (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  There are many thousands who would profess to agree with Solomon’s words, yet chase after these things as though there were nothing more glorious.  John Chrysostom once said that if he had an opportunity to gather the whole world before him, he would stand on a mountain and preach Psalm 4:2, “O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?”

If you say that you believe that the things of this world are vanity, why do you spend more time on thoughts of the world than on Christ, heaven and eternity? Why do you neglect your duty toward God to gain the world? Why are you so fervent in pursuing the world and so cold in your pursuit after God, Christ and holiness? Why are you so happy when the world smiles at you and so dejected when it frowns upon you? 

Third Remedy – To think often about the uncertainty and changeableness of all things here below.  Man himself is but a vapor (James 4:14), The Scriptures constantly remind us not to trust in the fleeting treasures of this world, which is itself only temporary.  Consider Proverbs 23:4-5, “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.  When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Again, 1 Corinthians 7:31, “and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.” Paul gave Timothy this instruction concerning rich men, “charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” 

As a bird hops from tree to tree, so do riches and fame hop from man to man. Where is the glory of Solomon today?  Where are the palaces of Nebuchadnezzar?  Where is the power of Alexander? Where is the authority of Caesar?  Those that had the most glory in life have often come to the most inglorious ends.  

Fourth Remedy – remember that the things of this world are dangerous to both the inner and outer man due to the corruptions of the heart.  A wealthy man’s riches are a strong tower in his imagination (Psalm 30:6).  They very often swell the heart with pride and make men forget and neglect God. Consider Moses’ pronouncement in Deuteronomy 32:15, or God’s sobering assessment of Judah’s once faithful King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16).  Even honestly gained riches are like manna; those that gathered less had no want, and those that gathered more than they needed daily found it a trouble and annoyance to them.  

Fifth Remedy – Remember that all the happiness of this world is mixed.  Our light is mixed with darkness, our joy with sorrow, our pleasure with pain, our honor with dishonor and our riches with wants.  Sorrow accompanies worldly joy, danger accompanies worldly safety, loss accompanies our labors and tears accompany our worldly purposes.  To chase after these things is to chase after vain hope and counterfeit joy.  

Sixth Remedy – Get better acquainted with and become assured of better and more glorious things. Consider the faithful of Hebrews 10-11.  That which lifted up their spirits to rise above this world was the assurance of better things.  They were looking for a city whose architect and maker was God.  This caused them to count all the glory of this world as something too contemptible to set their hearts upon.  The riches of heaven are the Holy Spirit, adoption, justification, remission of sin, and peace with God; these triumph over the riches of this life and the favor of men.  Those that become acquainted with the goods of the throne will easily trample on the goods of the footstool.  How much wiser is the man who works to acquire the things of eternity that will yield joy in life and peace in death!  Assurance of glorious things will breed in the soul a holy scorn and contempt of all the trivial things we valued before we met Christ.  

Seventh Remedy – Consider that true happiness and satisfaction is never to be had in the enjoyment of worldly goods.  The angels in heaven experience perfect happiness and blessedness yet they do not have the things of this world.  If happiness was to be found in these things, the Lord Jesus, who is the heir of all things, would have exchanged his cradle for a crown.  Will honor, riches, or the admiration of men comfort you when you die or will it be faith in the blood of Christ, the witness of the Spirit of Christ, the love and favor of Christ and the hope of reigning eternally with Christ? Happiness cannot be found in those things that cannot satisfy the soul of man, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). 

Eighth Remedy – Consider the worth of the soul.  The soul of man is worth more than a thousand worlds.  It is the height of folly to let it dwell upon the fading glory of this world when it is capable of union with Christ, of communion with the Father, and of enjoying an eternal vision of God.  Seneca once said, “I am too great and born to greater things than that I should be a slave to bodily passions.”

So much time has been spent on the remedies against this device of Satan because he usually does more harm to men by this one than all others.  We would be wise to always keep these words before us, “Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).  Don’t let the things of this world keep you from the holy and heavenly services that will make you blessed while you live and happy when you die.  Blessed are they who prefer Christ’s spirituals and eternals above all temporary and transitory things. 

Satan's 12th Device to Draw Us into Sin

Device 12 - Satan will entice you to have sinful friends and run in sinful circles. 

First Remedy - Meditate on the commands of God that expressly forbid us to shun the company of the wicked (Proverbs 1:10-15; Proverbs 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6).  These commands cannot be taken lightly.  If you don't observe them, they will rise up like witnesses against you and like a millstone around your neck to sink you in the day of judgment. 

Second Remedy - Consider how bad company is infectious and dangerous. "As ye shun a stinking carcass, as the seaman shuns rocks and sand, as ye shun those who have plague-sores running on them, so you should shun the society of wicked men." As weeds endanger a garden, the company of evil people endangers the soul (Proverbs 13:20)!

Third Remedy - Consider the names that Scripture gives to evil men. They are referred to as lions for their fierceness, bears for their cruelty, dragons for their destruction, dogs for their filthiness, and wolves for their craftiness.  Scripture also calls them scorpions, vipers, thorns, briars, thistles, brambles, stubble, dirt, chaff, dust and dregs.  It is not to safe to look at them with the names that sinful men may give them, but we must remember those names that Scripture sets upon them.  As was Nabal's name, so was his nature (1 Samuel 25:25)!  You may know what is in a man's nature by the names that the Holy Spirit gives them in Scripture. 

Fourth Remedy - Remember that the company of evil men was a source of grief to the saints who have gone before  (Psalm 120:5-6; Jeremiah 9:2; 2 Peter 2:7). Guilt or grief is all that the saints receive from the company of evil men. 

Satan's 11th Device to Draw Us Into Sin

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!