Subtilty of Satan

The gospel is supposed by many to be something very easily understood. No doubt its leading truths are comparatively few and simple, but the evil heart of unbelief, our natural blindness, and the efforts of the adversary, often bring it about that men misunderstand it, pervert it, add to it, or detract from it. Hence Paul expresses himself in the language of anxiety, "I fear." And if so the evil he deprecates must be a great evil. Note —

I. SATAN'S TEMPTATION OF EVE, AS A PROOF OF HIS SUBTILTY AND OUR DANGER (cf. Genesis 3:1-6).

1. His subtilty is manifest in his availing himself of the circumstances in which Eve was placed.(1) She was alone. Had Adam been near she would surely have consulted him. Satan's success manifestly depended on his giving no opportunity for consulting one perhaps possessed of more vigour of mind and judgment than herself. Here learn that in times of temptation we should avail ourselves of the benefit of Christian counsel.(2) She was in the situation where temptation was most likely to be successful — near the forbidden fruit. She apparently had but to lift the eye, and the object of temptation was before her. Had she been obliged to travel to a distance, there might have been time for deliberation; but being upon the spot, the very sight of the forbidden fruit would bring new feelings and desires into action, and add fuel to the fire. Let us learn from this to be especially upon our guard when near the object of temptation.

2. Satan's subtilty is manifest in the way in which he assailed her, viz., by the serpent. The very fact of the serpent's speaking must have awakened no ordinary surprise and curiosity. Her mind could not be in a calm state. And the remarkable occurrence might only the better prepare her for giving credit to his subsequent statement. And does not this teach us that Satan is ever more to be dreaded when he speaks to us through the instrumentality of others. Peter, no doubt, thought he was but giving utterance to his own feelings when he said, "Far be it from Thee, Lord." But Christ's words are, "Get thee behind Me, Satan," etc.

3. The subtilty of Satan is more especially manifest in the nature of the temptation, and the manner in which it is conducted.(1) The first step of the temptation is laid in the remark, "Yea, hath God said ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"(a) Here Satan's effort seems to be to awaken doubts of God's goodness and truth. "Is it so? Can it be that God hath made this restriction? Can He have created the fruit; given you appetites and desires, and forbidden you to indulge them? He must either be a hard master, or you must be labouring under some strange delusion." This is the way in which he still works. Sometimes he will work through the burden of sin pressing upon the conscience; sometimes through present suffering, or our natural craving after things forbidden; and if he can but awaken doubt or suspicion, a separation is made between the creature and the Creator. The creature stands helpless and alone, and the after steps are comparatively easy.(b) Look now to the results. These are brought before us in the answer of Eve. From the extensive nature of the grant, so illustrative of His goodness, her attention is turned away. A separation is made between Eve and God.(2) Satan has her now at a great advantage. "And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die." Emboldened by success, Satan daringly sets up his word in opposition to the word of the God of truth. But a few moments before he would not have ventured thus to accost his victim.

II. THE EVIL WHICH THE APOSTLE FEARS AND DEPRECATES. "Lest your minds should be corrupted."

1. From the simple, poor gospel, that is in Christ. Free in Christ are held forth all spiritual blessings. The gospel — simple, intelligible, and plainly revealed. And yet, how few understand it, believe it! The apostle had preached it at Corinth, and yet he speaks of Christ crucified being to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness. Well aware of the importance of clear and realising views of the gospel, Satan is ever active in his efforts to mislead, to blind, or to obscure (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4). Ah! be then upon your guard. Bear in mind that you have such an adversary, not the less to be dreaded because unseen.

2. From the simple, direct, confiding reliance upon Christ. This is our duty, and it is our interest. But obligatory and blessed as it is our minds, through the subtilty of Satan, are very apt to be corrupted or turned away from it. He will suggest that your sins have been too many and that the sacrifices that you will have to make are too many or too great.

3. From the simple, ruling aim, of glorifying God in Christ.