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 i...