(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")
"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 personbut 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 carelessnessand thus to sin.
He who is our adversary, and has slain his thousands and tens of thousandsis 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 rancorand 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 damnedis 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 righteousnesshe 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 _________________ CHRISTIAN
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