Evil
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.
Matthew 13:28 (KJV)
STORY
Rev. James Smith was a Baptist pastor at New Park Street Chapel in London from1841until his retirement in 1850. In 1841, as he began to shepherd his new flock, he wrote a daily devotional that was titled The Believer’s Daily Remembrancer with the subtitle a Pastor’s Morning and Evening Visit. The devotional became so popular that it had gone through 38 editions by 1864. One of the devotionals discussed the manipulative tactics that Satan uses to take control of our lives. The essay was titled “The Enemy,” and it reads:
The Christian has many foes, but there is one who is emphatically called, “The ENEMY.” He is the god of this world; all worship him except those whom Jesus has delivered from him. He is the prince of the power of the air, he rules over and works in all unbelievers. He is a subtle serpent, endeavoring to deceive; a roaring lion, seeking to devour. He has the power of death. He gains access to our hearts and is always attempting to lead us astray. He is well versed in Scripture and will often quote it in order to misapply it; he will use one part to fill us with terror, another to lead us to make light of sin. He is always planning how he shall injure us, and is incessantly trying to draw us from God. Beloved, there is no safety for us but at the feet of Jesus; it is only as we abide in him, and walk with him, that we can overcome Satan. Our weapons are the blood of the Lamb, and the word of the divine testimony; faith seizes the perfect work of Christ as its shield, and the word of God as its sword, and thus overcomes the infernal foe. Let us put on the WHOLE ARMOR of God.
DEVOTION
Rev. James Smith has provided us with one of the most articulate accounts of how Satan infects our soul. An exegetical study and comments by me are unnecessary for I could not improve upon Rev. Smith’s profound wisdom.
Point to Ponder
Ø From Rev. James Smith list of the manipulative tactics of Satan, which one are you most susceptible to
o For me: The item on Smith’s list that I am most susceptible to is that Satan “has the power of death.” Though I am secure in my salvation and I am secure in my eternity in heaven, the other side is still very much an unknown and I do get anxious when I think about it
Ø Why was Smith’s devotional so popular
o For me: Sadly, I think people are more attracted to an enthusiastic discussion of Satan and hell than they are to a more peaceful discussion on the beauty and tranquility of heaven.
Ø Why should we refer to Satan as “the enemy”
o For me: Satan is real and like so many mean and self-serving people that we encounter in our daily living who want to control us, Satan is just as selfish for his own desire to control us and have us idolize and worship him. Self-centered people who are oppressive are servants of Satan.
Ø Is Satan real or just a concept the we employ to describe evil
o For me: Satan is very real. I personally encountered a vision of Satan when I was of elementary school age. I was sitting on the commode at home in Lorain, Ohio, when the round bathroom throw rug suddenly opened up. I looked down through that hole in the floor and I saw Satan standing in what appeared to be a cave, he was wearing a tuxedo, and with his right arm motioning me to come down to him. I was frozen in fright. The incident is as real for me today as if it happened yesterday. I know for certain that I saw Satan, and even at that very young age I was able to resist him.
Ø What physical or spiritual form does Satan take
o For me: The devil can manifest himself the same way that an angle can. We can have a vison of Satan, though this is very seldom. Mostly, Satan is a spirit that can enter into the soul if it is unprotected by the Holy Spirit.
Ø What does Smith mean when he writes that Satan is the god of this world
o For me: Satan tries to seduce us by having us desire an earthly kingdom of material possessions and self-idolization, rather that have us seek the heavenly kingdom of self-sacrifice. Satan is the ruler of the fallen world and he desires our obedience and worship.
Please share other Points to Ponder so I can update my list
Please share your thoughts with me – if you desire I will publish them for others to read anonymously or first name only or your entire name as you choose