CCA--Part II, Direction First, Second General Part

Part Second: Directions for managing this War successfully, with some Motives sprinkled among them.

Direction 1: The Christian must be armed, and the reason why

Second General Part: The reason why

Text: That you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

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We can divide this text into two branches: First, the danger that comes from being unarmed, which is the schemes of the devil. Second, the certainty of standing against his schemes, if we are armed.

First Branch: Our danger is the devil's schemes.

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Doctrine: The devil is a very subtle and crafty enemy.

So, what we are going to do is outline the goals and methods that Satan uses. Now, Satan has two primary goals. The first is to draw us into sin, and the second is to accuse us and vex us for our sin. Speaking here, of course, only to the saints.

I. Goal 1--Draw us into sin. He shows his craftiness in three ways.
A)He tempts us at the most advantageous times.
B)He tempts us in a form that is likely to work.
C)He uses fitting and dangerous instruments to tempt us with.

A) He tempts us at the most advantageous times. Some of these:
(1) When the Christian is newly converted.
(2) When the Christian is troubled by physical or emotional suffering.
(3) When the Christian is involved in a great project that God's glory is invested in.
(4) When there is some object present that can increase temptation (example: the fruit in the garden)
(5) When the Christian has been shown some deep vision of God's love for him (making him not so watchful against sin).
(6) When he is dying, "it is now or never" says Satan.

B) The method and form Satan's temptations take show his craftiness. For example:
(1) He comes towards the Christian as if he were a friend, as if he were looking out for our best interests.
(2) He always seizes the most opportune moment, showing his constant readiness.
(3) He comes gradually to the soul, not showing his temptations all at once, which would alert us to the danger, but slowly seducing the soul away to sin. Small concessions are made, one at a time.
(4) He always has reserves, meaning that if one way fails, he immediately takes up another.
(5) In his false retreats. He may seem to melt before you when you resist him, but do not let your guard down.

C) The instruments (meaning, human instruments) Satan uses are fit for his purposes.
(1) He uses men of influence and power, both in secular affair and in the church. Men of respect and position are often Satan's instruments.
(2) He uses wise men, men well respected for their wisdom. The main use of such men is to formulate false doctrine and to make it popular in the church. This deserves brief treatment...

Wise men are used:
1. To discredit sincere messengers of Christ through sophistry and fallen logic.
2. To cover over their errors with noble sounding ideas and wrongly used Scriptures.
3. To create doctrines that give the flesh relief and scope to act:
a. These doctrines appeal to carnal reason.
b. These doctrines appeal to man's pride.
c. These doctrines give license to sin.

(3) He uses men with a great reputation for holiness.
(4) He uses men with a near relationship to us, such as friends and family.

Application:

1. If Satan is such a cunning foe, do not imagine that you can outwit him. His intelligence is surely far beyond ours.
2. We should study and consider Satan's schemes, and so be prepared for his attacks. How can we do this?
a) Seek God's mind often, for he can warn you of coming temptations.
b) Be acquainted with your own heart, and its weaknesses.
c) Be a student of the Word, which will give you much information.

II. Goal 2--To trouble and vex us for our sin.

His schemes:
(1) He "lays his brats at the saint's door," in other words, makes us think that the sinful thoughts and urges that he stirs up, are properly our own.
(2) He aggravates our sins by making them seem to hit a much deeper place than they do. It is important to distinguish between the rebukes of God for sins that need to be dealt with, and Satan's false rebukes that do not need to be addressed.
(3) He will mock and belittle our obedience and duties. It is true that even our best obedience is marked with sin. What shall we do when Satan attacks our obedience in this way?
a) Let it encourage you to be more careful in your obedience.
b) Let it lead you to humility, knowing your imperfection.
c) Know the weakness of this attack. Simply because a duty is imperfect, does not mean it is not acceptable in God's eyes. Jesus cleanses and sanctifies our imperfect obedience.
(4) He will try to convince you that you are not sorry enough for sin. Let's examine this one in some detail:

Question: How will I answer Satan if he accuses me with this.
Answer: Spot the weakness in his argument.

(1) He will say, "There must be a proportion between sin and sorrow." But this is impossible, because sin is infinitely offensive, and we can never be infinitely sorry. Rather, gospel sorrow is in proportion if it leads to gospel repentance. This is the proportion God demands. See I Cor. 7
(2) He will say, "Your sorrow is not sufficient because it is less than some who never even repented." But this is a false argument, because repentance is a grace of God, and men may see the sorrow of their sins without being given the grace of repentance. Indeed, all men will be made sorry for their sins one day. "Worldly sorrow brings despair."

Application:
1. If Satan uses his wisdom to trouble saints for their sins, those men who do the same thing are his instruments. We should be careful that we do not assist Satan in this. These instruments are:
A) Men who bring up old sins already forgiven.
B) Men who look for weaknesses in order to point them out with joy.
C) Men who blame their own sins on the saints.

2. If Satan is so wise and crafty to trouble our peace with God, let us watch our ways carefully, so as not to give him any ammunition to use against us.

Some thoughts on how to defend ourselves against Satan's attacks:

Question: How shall I stand in a defensive posture against Satan's attempts to trouble me with my sins?

(1) If you don't want him to trouble you, guard yourself against him as a tempter.
(2) Study and know well the doctrine of justification before God.
(3) Watch out for the places where Satan will try to trap you:
i) Difficult and complicated theological questions.
ii) Obscure and isolated passages of Scripture.
iii) Mysterious and troubling providence (as in, afflictions seemingly without cause.
(4) Remember to "keep your receipts" for the pardon for sin that you have received, so that when Satan brings it up, you can show him those receipts.

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Doctrine: Satan, despite all his schemes, will never triumph over those who are armed with the grace of God.

1) There is a curse that is upon Satan and all his ways. He will never have victory over the elect.
2) God's wisdom allows us from time to time to fall into temptation, but this is only his arrangements as we are traveling to heaven.

Question: But how does God outwit Satan in his schemes against us?

Answer: By accomplishing his own purposes in the temptations that Satan intended to harm us. He "works all things together for God for us." Let's show how he does this:

(A) Satan aims to defile the image of God in us. But God uses these temptations to sin, to purge us from sin.
1. By using one sin to guard against another. Perhaps a fall in one area produces humility in all areas, etc.
2. He purges out the very sins tempted to, even in the tempting. Peter's great fall cured for all time of self-confidence.
3. God uses these temptations to make us more zealous against our sins.

(B) Satan hopes to encourage one saint to sin by the example of another saint. But God uses this to encourage greater obedience instead.
1. By causing them to look to their own standing upon seeing another fall.
2. By comforting them: If even that saint suffers from sin, yet is accepted, I have greater comfort despite my own weakness.
3. By allowing one saint to fall, he positions him to help other saints in danger from the same temptation.

(C) Satan hopes to create a distance between God and the saint because of his sin. But instead, our failings and sin draw us nearer to God.
1. God uses our failing as opportunities to communicate his great love to us.
2. Instead of lessening our faith, we learn to rely more on God through our temptations. Instead of lessening our love for God, we learn to love God deeper because of his grace to us.

Application:

1. This shows why God allows his saints to fall into temptation.
2. This should greatly encourage us. Satan never ruined even one of the elect. We cannot triumph over them. Therefore, be encouraged.