How to Defeat Satan
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argue the point with them; for no argument, however conclusive, could
convince them. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Corinthians 2:14
. None
who hold this error can have a true conception of the character or the
mission of Christ, or of the great plan of God for man’s redemption.
Still another subtle and mischievous error is the fast-spreading
belief that Satan has no existence as a personal being; that the name is
used in Scripture merely to represent men’s evil thoughts and desires.
The teaching so widely echoed from popular pulpits, that the sec-
ond advent of Christ is His coming to each individual at death, is a
device to divert the minds of men from His personal coming in the
clouds of heaven. For years Satan has thus been saying, “Behold, He
is in the secret chambers” (
Matthew 24:23-26
); and many souls have
been lost by accepting this deception.
The Aim to Undermine Confidence
Satan stands at the head of the great army of doubters, and he
works to the utmost of his power to beguile souls into his ranks. It is
becoming fashionable to doubt. There is a large class by whom the
word of God is looked upon with distrust for the same reason as was
its Author—because it reproves and condemns sin. Those who are
unwilling to obey its requirements endeavor to overthrow its authority.
They read the Bible, or listen to its teachings as presented from the
[11]
sacred desk, merely to find fault with the Scriptures or with the sermon.
Not a few become infidels in order to justify or excuse themselves
in neglect of duty. Others adopt skeptical principles from pride and
indolence. Too ease-loving to distinguish themselves by accomplish-
ing anything worthy of honor, which requires effort and self-denial,
they aim to secure a reputation for superior wisdom by criticizing the
Bible. There is much which the finite mind, unenlightened by divine
wisdom, is powerless to comprehend; and thus they find occasion to
criticize. There are many who seem to feel that it is a virtue to stand
on the side of unbelief, skepticism, and infidelity. But underneath an
appearance of candor it will be found that such persons are actuated
by self-confidence and pride. Many delight in finding something in
the Scriptures to puzzle the minds of others. Some at first criticize and