How to Defeat Satan
17
Human knowledge of both material and spiritual things is partial
and imperfect; therefore many are unable to harmonize their views
of science with Scripture statements. Many accept mere theories and
speculations as scientific facts, and they think that God’s word is to
be tested by the teachings of “science falsely so called.”
1 Timothy
6:20
. The Creator and His works are beyond their comprehension;
and because they cannot explain these by natural laws, Bible history is
regarded as unreliable. Those who doubt the reliability of the records
of the Old and New Testaments too often go a step further and doubt
the existence of God and attribute infinite power to nature. Having let
go their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity.
[9]
Thus many err from the faith and are seduced by the devil. Men
have endeavored to be wiser than their Creator; human philosophy
has attempted to search out and explain mysteries which will never
be revealed through the eternal ages. If men would but search and
understand what God had made known of Himself and His purposes,
they would obtain such a view of the glory, majesty, and power of
Jehovah that they would realize their own littleness and would be
content with that which has been revealed for themselves and their
children.
It is a masterpiece of Satan’s deceptions to keep the minds of men
searching and conjecturing in regard to that which God has not made
known and which He does not intend that we shall understand. It
was thus that Lucifer lost his place in heaven. He became dissatisfied
because all the secrets of God’s purposes were not confided to him,
and he entirely disregarded that which was revealed concerning his
own work in the lofty position assigned him. By arousing the same
discontent in the angels under his command, he caused their fall. Now
he seeks to imbue the minds of men with the same spirit and to lead
them also to disregard the direct commands of God.
No Shield from Delusion
Those who are unwilling to accept the plain, cutting truths of
the Bible are continually seeking for pleasing fables that will quiet
the conscience. The less spiritual, self-denying, and humiliating the
doctrines presented, the greater the favor with which they are received.
These persons degrade the intellectual powers to serve their carnal