"Be self-controlled and
alert. Your enemy the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8
Though it is not profane, yet it is foolish to speak lightly of the
devil. He is not a sacred person—but he is a dangerous
person!
Thoughts of levity concerning him are quite out of place. They
throw us off our guard, make us secure, lead us to sloth and
carelessness—and thus to sin.
He who is our adversary, and has slain his thousands and tens
of thousands—is never more sure of his prey than when there
is least fear of him. He began his work of revolt in heaven,
afterwards invaded Eden, assaulted the Son of God Himself
with the greatest violence and rancor—and will always be busy
until he is chained down in the pit!
He has no pity. He is wholly malignant and unscrupulous.
To dishonor God, destroy souls, fill earth with woe, and
hell with the damned—is his trade and his delight.
The
keener the anguish, and the deeper the guilt of man—
the more is Satan gratified.
He does all he can to make . . .
earth like hell,
men like devils,
saints like sinners.
He delights in seeing all wickedness raging and rioting on
earth. He is the god of the men of this world. He commands
and they obey. He is the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit who now works in the children of disobedience. His
empire is built on usurpation and fraud, cruelty and crime,
blood and rebellion.
Satan rages, and hates, and lies, and murders!
His ways are various. Sometimes he appears as an angel of
light. He has cordials for wounded consciences. He speaks
much of mercy. He delights in corrupting the truth. His great
object is to keep men from embracing Christ. He has much
to do with religious men and religious ordinances. He never
misses a sermon! He knows that men can go to hell in the
pew of a church, as well as in the seat of a theater. If they
will rest in 'religious forms', and if they will go about
to
establish their own righteousness—he will encourage
them,
and help them to be joyful.
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your
stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:11