TEXT: 2COR. 2:11
''Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.''
A yes to Christ, makes a space for a man in the watch list of Satan; he agrees to have Satan as mortal enemy, who applies to Jesus for comradeship or friendship. The fiery darts of Satan are directed towards all who walk in the pathway of righteousness. Hence, the Christian man must be convinced that his whole life is but a warfare: his armor must ever be on him; his sword ever drawn, and his sentinel must he ever keep. One of the Christian soldier's vantage strand, or point, is the knowledge of Satan's wiles or devices. Paul and all who have gone ahead or before us, saw to it that they have a firm grip of the workings of this malicious ancient foe of mankind, especially the elect. Satan, oh saints, is more experienced and exposed than ten thousand us put together; he was before the first godly man; overtime, he has gathered new experiences. He is not afraid to try to tempt the best of us: men greater than us had been fooled and foiled by him. Satan is not a fool, to set a net before our naked eyes: he hides his net under the straws of our inclinations and bents; he has a depth that is unfathomable by any of us! Friends, to be ignorant of Satan's devices or ploy, makes a man worthy of being his prey. The knowledge of God consists, not only in understanding His existence and attributes, but also in noting lively, the ways of His enemy, Satan. By knowing God, we are better disposed to fear and honor Him. Knowing Satan, we are set afoot against his sinister intention toward us. As we beg to know God better, it is equally of great importance to be versed in the ploy and tricks of our enemy. Satan has never gone on holiday, nor is he standing at one point: for he moves to and fro, seeking whom to devour. Brothers, can you detect the first rising of Satan? How versed are you in the stratagem of the enemy of your souls? Do you know the depth of Satan? Our foe makes inquiry about us all the time; sends spying spirits to find out our going out and coming in; what we muse on and that which we delight in talking about! As our names are in the Lamb's book of life by God's love, so are they in the old and malicious book of those considered to rebel to Satan, out of malice. Can we say, like our blessed Apostle Paul, 'we are not ignorant of his devices.'?