Unveiling the Plans of Satan —
The Secret Instructions
Satan
DOES have plans! And they involve you and your loved ones. You should
understand what they are—and how to avoid them. If ever there was a time
when men should be alert to Satan’s devices and wide-awake to his traps,
it is now. Such awareness will drive us to our Saviour who is more than
able to overcome every snare of the enemy on our behalf, as we cling to
Him day by day, moment by moment.
Come,
read the secret instructions–the plans of the evil one to overcome you,
your family, and your friends.
As the people of God
approach the perils of the last days, Satan holds earnest consultation
with his angels as to the most successful plan of overthrowing their
faith. He sees that the popular churches are already lulled to sleep by
his deceptive power. By pleasing sophistry and lying wonders he can
continue to hold them under his control. Therefore he directs his angels
to lay their snares especially for those who are looking for the second
advent of Christ, and endeavoring to keep all the commandments of God.
Says the
great deceiver: “We must watch those who are calling the attention of
the people to the Sabbath of Jehovah; they will lead many to see the
claims of the law of God; and the same light which reveals the true
Sabbath, reveals also the ministration of Christ in the heavenly
sanctuary, and shows that the last work for man’s salvation is now going
forward. Hold the minds of the people in darkness till that work is ended,
and we shall secure the world and the church also.
“The
Sabbath is the great question which is to decide the destiny of souls. We
must exalt the sabbath of our creating. We have caused it to be accepted
by both worldlings and church-members; now the church must be led to unite
with the world in its support. We must work by signs and wonders to blind
their eyes to the truth, and lead them to lay aside reason and the fear of
God, and follow custom and tradition.
“I will
influence popular ministers to turn the attention of their hearers from
the commandments of God. That which the Scriptures declare to be a perfect
law of liberty shall be represented as a yoke of bondage. The people
accept their ministers’ explanations of Scripture, and do not
investigate for themselves. Therefore, by working through the ministers I
can control the people according to my will.
“But our
principal concern is to silence this sect of Sabbath-keepers. We must
excite popular indignation against them. We will enlist great men and
worldly-wise men upon our side, and induce those in authority to carry out
our purposes. Then the sabbath which I have set up shall be enforced by
laws, the most severe and exacting. Those who disregard them shall be
driven out from the cities and villages, and made to suffer hunger and
privation. When once we have the power, we will show what we can do with
those who will not swerve from their allegiance to God. We led the Romish
Church to inflict imprisonment, torture, and death upon those who refuse
to yield to her decrees, and now that we are bringing the Protestant
churches and the world into harmony with this right arm of our strength,
we will finally have a law to exterminate all who will not submit to our
authority. When death shall be made the penalty of violating our sabbath,
then many who are now ranked with
commandment-keepers will come over to our side.
“But
before proceeding to these extreme measures, we must exert all our wisdom
and subtlety to deceive and ensnare those who honor the true Sabbath. We
can separate many from Christ by worldliness, lust, and pride. They may
think themselves safe because they believe the truth, but the indulgence
of appetite or the lower passions, which will confuse judgment and destroy
discrimination, will cause their fall.
“Go, make
the possessors of lands and money drunk with the cares of this life.
Present the world before them in its most attractive light, that they may
lay up their treasure here, and fix their affections upon earthly things.
We must do our utmost to prevent those who labor in God’s cause from
obtaining means to use against us. Keep the money in our own ranks. The
more means they obtain, the more they will injure our kingdom by taking
from us our subjects. Make them care more for money than for the
upbuilding of Christ’s kingdom and the spread of the truths we hate, and
we need not fear their influence; for we know that every selfish, covetous
person will fall under our power, and will finally be separated from
God’s people.
Through
those that have a form of godliness, but know not the power, we can gain
many who would otherwise do us great harm. Lovers of pleasure more than
lovers of God will be our most effective helpers. Those of the class who
are apt and intelligent will serve as decoys to draw others into our
snares. Many will not fear their influence, because they profess the same
faith. We will thus lead them to conclude that the requirements of Christ
are less strict than they once believed, and that by conformity to the
world they would exert greater influence with worldlings. Thus they will
separate from Christ; then they will have no strength to resist our power,
and erelong they will be ready to ridicule their former zeal and devotion.
“Until
the great decisive blow shall be struck, our efforts against
commandment-keepers must be untiring. We must be present at all their
gatherings. In their large meetings especially our cause will suffer much,
and we must exercise great vigilance, and employ all our seductive arts to
prevent souls from hearing the truth and becoming impressed by it.
“I will
have upon the ground, as my agents, men holding false doctrines mingled
with just enough truth to deceive souls. I will also have unbelieving ones
present, who will express doubts in regard to the Lord’s messages of
warning to His church. Should the people read and believe these
admonitions, we could have little hope of overcoming them. But if we can
divert their attention from these warnings, they will remain ignorant of
our power and cunning, and we shall secure them in our ranks at last. God
will not permit His words to be slighted with impunity. If we can keep
souls deceived for a time, God’s mercy will be withdrawn, and He will
give them up to our full control.
“We must
cause distraction and division. We must destroy their anxiety for their
own souls, and lead them to criticize, to judge, and to accuse and condemn
one another, and to cherish selfishness and
enmity. For these sins, God banished us from His presence, and all
who follow our example will meet a similar fate.” —Testimonies to
Ministers, 472-475 / 1884 Great Controversy, 337-340; paperback edition:
247-250 (initial paragraphs of the chapter, Snares of Satan).
“None are
in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those who,
notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures, deny the
existence and agency of the devil and his angels. So long as we are
ignorant of their wiles, they have almost inconceivable advantage; many
give heed to their suggestions while thy suppose themselves to be
following the dictates of their own wisdom. This is why, as we approach
the close of time, when Satan is to work with greatest power to deceive
and destroy, he spreads everywhere the belief that he does not exist. It
is his policy to conceal himself and his manner of working.
“There is
nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become
acquainted with his devices. . . .”—Great Controversy, 516.
“From the
very beginning of the great controversy in heaven it has been Satan’s
purpose to overthrow the law of God. It was to accomplish this that he
entered upon his rebellion against the Creator, and though he was cast out
of heaven he has continued the same warfare upon the earth. To deceive
men, and thus lead them to transgress God’s law, is the object which he
has steadfastly pursued. Whether this be accomplished by casting aside the
law altogether, or by rejecting one of its precepts, the result will be
ultimately the same. He that offends ‘in one point,’ manifests
contempt for the whole law; his influence and example are on the side of
transgression; he becomes ‘guilty of all.’ James 2:10.
“In
seeking to cast contempt upon the divine statutes, Satan has perverted the
doctrines of the Bible, and errors have thus become incorporated into the
faith of thousands who profess to believe the Scriptures. The last great
conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the
long-standing controversy concerning the law of God. Upon this battle we
are now entering—a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of
Jehovah, between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and
tradition.
“The
agencies which will unite against truth and righteousness in this contest
are now actively at work. God’s holy word, which has been handed down to
us at such a cost of suffering and blood, is but little valued. The Bible
is within the reach of all, but there are few who really accept it as the
guide of life. . . .”—Great Controversy, 582-583.
“Satan is
constantly at work, with intense energy and under a thousand disguises, to
misrepresent the character and government of God. With extensive,
well-organized plans and marvelous power, he is working to hold the
inhabitants of the world under his deceptions. God, the One infinite and
all-wise, sees the end from the beginning, and in dealing with evil His
plans were far-reaching and comprehensive. . . .”—Patriarchs and
Prophets, 78.
“During
the Christian dispensation, the great enemy of man’s happiness has made
the Sabbath of the fourth commandment an object of special attack. Satan
says, ‘I will work at cross purposes with God. I will empower my
followers to set aside God’s memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath. Thus I
will show the world that the day sanctified and blessed by God has been
changed. That day shall not live in the minds of the people. I will
obliterate the memory of it. I will place in its stead a day that does not
bear the credentials of God, a day that cannot be a sign between God and
His people. I will lead those who accept this day to place upon it the
sanctity that God placed upon the seventh day.
“‘Through
my vicegerent, I will exalt myself. The first day will be extolled, and
the Protestant world will receive this spurious sabbath as genuine.
Through the nonobservance of the
Sabbath that God instituted, I will bring His law into contempt. The
words, “A sign between Me and you throughout your generations,” I will
make to serve on the side of my sabbath.
“‘Thus
the world will become mine. I will be the ruler of the earth, the prince
of the world. I will so control the minds under my power that God’s
Sabbath shall be a special object of contempt. A sign? I will make the
observance of the seventh day a sign of disloyalty to the authorities of
earth. Human laws will be made so stringent that men and women will not
dare to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. For fear of wanting food and
clothing, they will join with the world in transgressing God’s law. The
earth will be wholly under my dominion.’” —Prophets and Kings,
183-184.
“Satan
therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against the government
of God by planting his banner in the Christian church. If the followers of
Christ could be deceived and led to displease God, then their strength,
fortitude, and firmness would fail, and they would fall an easy prey.
“The
great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice what he had failed to
secure by force. Persecution ceased, and in its stead were substituted the
dangerous allurements of temporal prosperity and worldly honor. Idolaters
were led to receive a part of the Christian faith, while they rejected
other essential truths. They professed to accept Jesus as the Son of God
and to believe in His death and resurrection, but they had no conviction
of sin and felt no need of repentance or of a change of heart. With some
concessions on their part they proposed that Christians should make
concessions, that all might unite on the platform of belief in Christ.
“Now the
church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and sword were
blessings in comparison with this. Some of the Christians stood firm,
declaring that they could make no compromise. Others were in favor of
yielding or modifying some features of their faith and uniting with those
who had accepted a part of Christianity, urging that this might be the
means of their full conversion. That was a time of deep anguish to the
faithful followers of Christ. Under a cloak of pretended Christianity,
Satan was insinuating himself into the church, to corrupt their faith and
turn their minds from the word of truth.”—Great Controversy, 42-43.
“Satan
summons all his forces and throws his whole power into the combat. Why is
it that he meets with no greater resistance? Why are the soldiers of
Christ so sleepy and indifferent? Because they have so little real
connection with Christ; because they are so destitute of His Spirit. Sin
is not to them repulsive and abhorrent, as it was to their Master. They do
not meet it, as did Christ, with decisive and determined resistance. They
do not realize the exceeding evil and malignity of sin, and they are
blinded both to the character and the power of the prince of darkness.
There is little enmity against Satan and his works, because there is so
great ignorance concerning his power and malice, and the vast extent of
his warfare against Christ and His church. Multitudes are deluded here.
They do not know that their enemy is a mighty general who controls the
minds of evil angels, and that with well-matured plans and skillful
movements he is warring against Christ to prevent the salvation of souls.
Among professed Christians, and even among ministers of the gospel, there
is heard scarcely a reference to Satan, except perhaps an incidental
mention in the pulpit. They overlook the evidences of his continual
activity and success; they neglect the many warnings of his subtlety; they
seem to ignore his very existence.
“While
men are ignorant of his devices, this vigilant foe is upon their track
every moment. He is intruding his presence in every department of the
household, in every street of our cities, in the churches, in the national
councils, in the courts of justice, perplexing, deceiving, seducing;
everywhere ruining souls and bodies of men, women, and children; breaking
up families, sowing hatred, emulation, strife, sedition, murder. And the
Christian world seems to regard these things as though God had appointed
them and they must exist.
“Satan is
continually seeking to overcome the people of God by breaking down the
barriers which separate them from the world. Ancient Israel were enticed
into sin when they ventured into forbidden association with the heathen.
In a similar manner are modern Israel led astray. ‘The god of this world
hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto
them.’ 2 Corinthians 4:4. All who are not decided followers of Christ
are servants of Satan. In the unregenerate heart there is love of sin and
a disposition to cherish and excuse it. In the renewed heart there is
hatred of sin and determined resistance against it. When Christians choose
the society of the ungodly and unbelieving, they expose themselves to
temptation. Satan conceals himself from view and stealthily draws his
deceptive covering over their eyes. They cannot see that such company is
calculated to do them harm; and while all the time assimilating to the
world in character, words, and actions, they are becoming more and more
blinded.
“Conformity
to worldly customs converts the church to the world; it never converts the
world to Christ. Familiarity with sin will inevitably cause it to appear
less repulsive. He who chooses to associate with the servants of Satan
will soon cease to fear their master. When in the way of duty we are
brought into trial, as was Daniel in the king’s court, we may be sure
that God will protect us; but if we place ourselves under temptation we
shall fall sooner or later.
“The
tempter often works most successfully through those who are least
suspected of being under his control. The possessors of talent and
education are admired and honored, as if these qualities could atone for
the absence of the fear of God or entitle men to His favor. Talent and
culture, considered in themselves, are gifts of God; but when these are
made to supply the place of piety, when, instead of bringing the soul
nearer to God, they lead away from Him, then they become a curse and a
snare. The opinion prevails with many that all which appears like courtesy
or refinement must, in some sense, pertain to Christ. Never was there a
greater mistake. These qualities should grace the character of every
Christian, for they would exert a powerful influence in favor of true
religion; but they must be consecrated to God, or they also are a power
for evil. Many a man of cultured intellect and pleasant manners who would
not stoop to what is commonly regarded as an immoral act, is but a
polished instrument in the hands of Satan. The insidious, deceptive
character of his influence and example renders him a more dangerous enemy
to the cause of Christ than are those who are ignorant and uncultured.”—Great
Controversy, 507-509.
“A
guardian angel is appointed to every follower of Christ. These heavenly
watchers shield the righteous from the power of the wicked one. This Satan
himself recognized, when he said: ‘Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast
not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that
he hath on every side?’ Job 1:9, 10. The agency by which God protects
His people is presented in the words of the psalmist: ‘The angel of the
Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.’
Psalm 34:7. Said the Saviour, speaking of those that believe in Him:
‘Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto
you, That in heaven their
angels do always behold the face of My Father.’ Matthew 18:10. The
angels appointed to minister to the children of God have at all times
access to His presence.
“Thus
God’s people, exposed to the deceptive power and unsleeping malice of
the prince of darkness, and in conflict with all the forces of evil, are
assured of the unceasing guardianship of heavenly angels. Nor is such
assurance given without need. If God has granted to His children promise
of grace and protection, it is because there are mighty agencies of evil
to be met—agencies numerous, determined, and untiring, of whose
malignity and power none can safely be ignorant or unheeding.
“Evil
spirits, in the beginning created sinless, were equal in nature, power,
and glory with the holy beings that are now God’s messengers. But fallen
through sin, they are leagued together for the dishonor of God and the
destruction of men. United with Satan in his rebellion, and with him cast
out from heaven, they have, through all succeeding ages, cooperated with
him in his warfare against the divine authority. . . .” —Great
Controversy, 512-513.
“The
great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward
for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the wicked one
redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man’s behalf and
to fasten souls in his snares. To hold the people in darkness and
unrepentance till the Saviour’s mediation is ended, and there is no
longer a sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish.
“When
there is no special effort made to resist his power, when indifference
prevails in the church and the world, Satan is not concerned; for he is in
no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his will. But when
the attention is called to eternal things, and souls are inquiring,
‘What must I do to be saved?’ he is on the ground, seeking to match
his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the influence of
the Holy Spirit.”—Great Controversy, 518.
“While
Satan is constantly seeking to blind their minds to the fact, let
Christians never forget that they ‘wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places.’
Ephesians 6:12, margin. The inspired warning is sounding down the
centuries to our time: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour.’ 1 Peter 5:8. ‘Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’ Ephesians 6:11.” —Great
Controversy, 510.
“Satan
well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer, and the searching
of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks. Therefore, he invents
every possible device to engross the mind. . . .”—Great
Controversy, 519.
“The
position that it is of no consequence what men believe is one of Satan’s
most successful deceptions. He knows that the truth, received in the love
of it, sanctifies the soul of the receiver; therefore he is constantly
seeking to substitute false theories, fables, another gospel. . . .”—Great
Controversy, 520.
“The
great deceiver has many agents ready to present any and every kind of
error to ensnare souls—heresies prepared to suit the varied tastes and
capacities of those whom he would ruin. It is his plan to bring into the
church insincere, unregenerate elements that will encourage doubt and
unbelief, and hinder all who desire to see the work of God advance and to
advance with it. Many who have no real faith in God or in His word assent
to some principles of truth and pass as Christians, and thus they are
enabled to introduce their errors as Scriptural doctrines.”—Great
Controversy, 520.
“The
vague and fanciful interpretations of Scripture, and the many conflicting
theories concerning religious faith that are found in the Christian world,
are the work of our great adversary to confuse minds so that they shall
not discern the truth. And the discord and division which exist among the
churches of Christendom are in a great measure due to the prevailing
custom of wresting the Scriptures to support a favorite theory. Instead of
carefully studying God’s word with humility of heart to obtain a
knowledge of His will, many seek only to discover something odd or
original.”—Great Controversy, 520.
“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.” —Great Controversy, 523.
“The
errors of popular theology have driven many a soul to skepticism who might
otherwise have been a believer in the Scriptures. It is impossible for him
to accept doctrines which outrage his sense of justice, mercy, and
benevolence; and since these are represented as the teaching of the Bible,
he refuses to receive it as the word of God.
“And this
is the object which Satan seeks to accomplish. There is nothing that he
desires more than to destroy confidence in God and in His word. 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. . . .” —Great Controversy, 525-526.
“There is
but one course for those to pursue who honestly desire to be freed from
doubts. Instead of questioning and
caviling concerning that which they do not understand, let them give heed
to the light which already shines upon them, and they will receive greater
light. Let them do every duty which has been made plain to their
understanding, and they will be enabled to understand and perform those of
which they are now in doubt.” —Great Controversy, 528.
“The
followers of Christ know little of the plots which Satan and his hosts are
forming against them. But He who sitteth in the heavens will overrule all
these devices for the accomplishment of His deep designs. The Lord permits
His people to be subjected to the fiery ordeal of temptation, not because
He takes pleasure in their distress and affliction, but because this
process is essential to their final victory. He could not, consistently
with His own glory, shield them from temptation; for the very object of
the trial is to prepare them to resist all the allurements of evil.
“Neither
wicked men nor devils can hinder the work of God, or shut out His presence
from His people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and
put away their sins, and in faith claim His promises. Every temptation,
every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully
resisted, ‘not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the
Lord of hosts.’ Zechariah 4:6.” —Great Controversy,
528-529.
Yes, the devil has plans,—but
the God of heaven has better ones for your life. Cling to Him and His
Inspired Word!
Unveiling
the Plans of Satan –
The Secret Instructions
SUMMING
UP HIS OBJECTIVE—AND WHY
“The
great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward
for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the wicked one
redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man’s behalf and
to fasten souls in his snares. To hold the people in darkness and
impenitence till the Saviour’s mediation is ended, and there is no
longer a sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish.”—Great
Controversy, page 518.
SUMMING
UP OUR DEFENSE
“Satan is
well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is more than a match
for the hosts of darkness, and that, should he reveal himself openly, he
would be met and resisted. Therefore he seeks to draw away the soldiers of
the cross from their strong fortification, while he lies in ambush with
his forces, ready to destroy all who venture upon his ground. Only in
humble reliance upon God, and obedience to all His commandments, can we be
secure.” —Great Controversy, page 530.
“Neither
wicked men nor devils can hinder the work of God, or shut out His presence
from His people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and
put away their sins, and in faith claim His promises. Every temptation,
every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully
resisted, ‘not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, saith the Lord
of hosts.’ Zechariah 4:6.” —Great
Controversy’, page 529.
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