The Great Controversy
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 32: Snares of Satan
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. {GC 518.1}
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. {GC 518.2}
The Scriptures declare that upon one occasion, when the
angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan came also among
them (Job 1:6), not to bow before the Eternal King, but to further his own
malicious designs against the righteous. With the same object he is in
attendance when men assemble for the worship of God. Though hidden from sight,
he is working with all diligence to control the minds of the worshipers. Like a
skillful general he lays his plans beforehand. As he sees the messenger of God
searching the Scriptures, he takes note of the subject to be [519]
presented to the people. Then he employs all his cunning and shrewdness so to
control circumstances that the message may not reach those whom he is deceiving
on that very point. The one who most needs the warning will be urged into some
business transaction which requires his presence, or will by some other means
be prevented from hearing the words that might prove to him a savor of life
unto life. {GC 518.3}
Again, Satan sees the Lord's servants burdened because of
the spiritual darkness that enshrouds the people. He hears their earnest
prayers for divine grace and power to break the spell of indifference,
carelessness, and indolence. Then with renewed zeal he plies his arts. He
tempts men to the indulgence of appetite or to some other form of
self-gratification, and thus benumbs their sensibilities so that they fail to
hear the very things which they most need to learn. {GC 519.1}
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. There has ever been a
class professing godliness, who, instead of following on to know the truth,
make it their religion to seek some fault of character or error of faith in
those with whom they do not agree. Such are Satan's right-hand helpers.
Accusers of the brethren are not few, and they are always active when God is at
work and His servants are rendering Him true homage. They will put a false
coloring upon the words and acts of those who love and obey the truth. They
will represent the most earnest, zealous, self-denying servants of Christ as
deceived or deceivers. It is their work to misrepresent the motives of every
true and noble deed, to circulate insinuations, and arouse suspicion in the
minds of the inexperienced. In every conceivable manner they will seek to cause
that which is pure and righteous to be regarded as foul and deceptive. {GC 519.2}
But none need be deceived concerning them. It may be readily
seen whose children they are, whose example they follow, and whose work they
do. "Ye shall know them by [520] their fruits." Matthew
7:16. Their course resembles that of Satan, the envenomed slanderer, "the
accuser of our brethren." Revelation 12:10. {GC 519.3}
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. {GC 520.1}
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. From
the beginning the servants of God have contended against false teachers, not
merely as vicious men, but as inculcators of falsehoods that were fatal to the
soul. Elijah, Jeremiah, Paul, firmly and fearlessly opposed those who were
turning men from the word of God. That liberality which regards a correct
religious faith as unimportant found no favor with these holy defenders of the
truth. {GC 520.2}
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. [521]
{GC 520.3}
In order to sustain erroneous doctrines or unchristian
practices, some will seize upon passages of Scripture separated from the
context, perhaps quoting half of a single verse as proving their point, when
the remaining portion would show the meaning to be quite the opposite. With the
cunning of the serpent they entrench themselves behind disconnected utterances
construed to suit their carnal desires. Thus do many willfully pervert the word
of God. Others, who have an active imagination, seize upon the figures and
symbols of Holy Writ, interpret them to suit their fancy, with little regard to
the testimony of Scripture as its own interpreter, and then they present their
vagaries as the teachings of the Bible. {GC 521.1}
Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without
a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the
most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning. The papal
leaders select such portions of Scripture as best serve their purpose,
interpret to suit themselves, and then present these to the people, while they
deny them the privilege of studying the Bible and understanding its sacred
truths for themselves. The whole Bible should be given to the people just as it
reads. It would be better for them not to have Bible instruction at all than to
have the teaching of the Scriptures thus grossly misrepresented. {GC 521.2}
The Bible was designed to be a guide to all who wish to
become acquainted with the will of their Maker. God gave to men the sure word
of prophecy; angels and even Christ Himself came to make known to Daniel and
John the things that must shortly come to pass. Those important matters that
concern our salvation were not left involved in mystery. They were not revealed
in such a way as to perplex and mislead the honest seeker after truth. Said the
Lord by the prophet Habakkuk: "Write the vision, and make it plain,
. . . that he may run that readeth it." Habakkuk 2:2. The word
of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful [522] heart.
Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth. "Light is sown
for the righteous." Psalm 97:11. And no church can advance in holiness
unless its members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure. {GC 521.3}
By the cry, Liberality, men are blinded to the devices of
their adversary, while he is all the time working steadily for the
accomplishment of his object. As he succeeds in supplanting the Bible by human
speculations, the law of God is set aside, and the churches are under the
bondage of sin while they claim to be free. {GC 522.1}
To many, scientific research has become a curse. God has
permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the world in discoveries in
science and art; but even the greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God
in their research, become bewildered in their attempts to investigate the
relations of science and revelation. {GC 522.2}
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. {GC 522.3}
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 [523] they
would realize their own littleness and would be content with that which has
been revealed for themselves and their children. {GC 522.4}
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. {GC 523.1}
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 desires. Too wise in
their own conceit to search the Scriptures with contrition of soul and earnest
prayer for divine guidance, they have no shield from delusion. Satan is ready
to supply the heart's desire, and he palms off his deceptions in the place of
truth. It was thus that the papacy gained its power over the minds of men; and
by rejection of the truth because it involves a cross, Protestants are
following the same path. All who neglect the word of God to study convenience
and policy, that they may not be at variance with the world, will be left to
receive damnable heresy for religious truth. Every conceivable form of error
will be accepted by those who willfully reject the truth. He who looks with
horror upon one deception will readily receive another. The apostle Paul,
speaking of a class who "received not the love of the truth, that they
might be saved," declares: "For this cause God shall send them strong
delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they [524] all
might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12. With such a warning before us
it behooves us to be on our guard as to what doctrines we receive. {GC 523.2}
Among the most successful agencies of the great deceiver are
the delusive teachings and lying wonders of spiritualism. Disguised as an angel
of light, he spreads his nets where least suspected. If men would but study the
Book of God with earnest prayer that they might understand it, they would not
be left in darkness to receive false doctrines. But as they reject the truth
they fall a prey to deception. {GC 524.1}
Another dangerous error is the doctrine that denies the
deity of Christ, claiming that He had no existence before His advent to this
world. This theory is received with favor by a large class who profess to
believe the Bible; yet it directly contradicts the plainest statements of our
Saviour concerning His relationship with the Father, His divine character, and
His pre-existence. It cannot be entertained without the most unwarranted
wresting of the Scriptures. It not only lowers man's conceptions of the work of
redemption, but undermines faith in the Bible as a revelation from God. While
this renders it the more dangerous, it makes it also harder to meet. If men
reject the testimony of the inspired Scriptures concerning the deity of Christ,
it is in vain to 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. {GC 524.2}
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. [525]
{GC 524.3}
The teaching so widely echoed from popular pulpits, that the
second 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. {GC 525.1}
Again, worldly wisdom teaches that prayer is not essential.
Men of science claim that there can be no real answer to prayer; that this
would be a violation of law, a miracle, and that miracles have no existence.
The universe, say they, is governed by fixed laws, and God Himself does nothing
contrary to these laws. Thus they represent God as bound by His own laws—as
if the operation of divine laws could exclude divine freedom. Such teaching is
opposed to the testimony of the Scriptures. Were not miracles wrought by Christ
and His apostles? The same compassionate Saviour lives today, and He is as
willing to listen to the prayer of faith as when He walked visibly among men.
The natural cooperates with the supernatural. It is a part of God's plan to
grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we
not thus ask. {GC 525.2}
Innumerable are the erroneous doctrines and fanciful ideas
that are obtaining among the churches of Christendom. It is impossible to
estimate the evil results of removing one of the landmarks fixed by the word of
God. Few who venture to do this stop with the rejection of a single truth. The
majority continue to set aside one after another of the principles of truth,
until they become actual infidels. {GC 525.3}
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. [526] {GC 525.4}
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. 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 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 accomplishing
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 reason on the wrong side, from a mere love of controversy. They
do not realize that they are thus entangling themselves in the snare of the
fowler. But having openly expressed unbelief, they feel that they must maintain
their position. Thus they unite with the ungodly and close to themselves the
gates of Paradise. {GC
526.1}
God has given in His word sufficient evidence of its divine
character. The great truths which concern our redemption are clearly presented.
By the aid of the Holy Spirit, which is promised to all who seek it in
sincerity, every man may [527] understand these truths for
himself. God has granted to men a strong foundation upon which to rest their
faith. {GC 526.2}
Yet the finite minds of men are inadequate fully to
comprehend the plans and purposes of the Infinite One. We can never by
searching find out God. We must not attempt to lift with presumptuous hand the
curtain behind which He veils His majesty. The apostle exclaims: "How
unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Romans
11:33. We can so far comprehend His dealings with us, and the motives by which
He is actuated, that we may discern boundless love and mercy united to infinite
power. Our Father in heaven orders everything in wisdom and righteousness, and
we are not to be dissatisfied and distrustful, but to bow in reverent
submission. He will reveal to us as much of His purposes as it is for our good
to know, and beyond that we must trust the Hand that is omnipotent, the Heart
that is full of love. {GC
527.1}
While God has given ample evidence for faith, He will never
remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts
upon will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey God's word until
every objection has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for
doubt, will never come to the light. {GC 527.2}
Distrust of God is the natural outgrowth of the unrenewed
heart, which is at enmity with Him. But faith is inspired by the Holy Spirit,
and it will flourish only as it is cherished. No man can become strong in faith
without a determined effort. Unbelief strengthens as it is encouraged; and if
men, instead of dwelling upon the evidences which God has given to sustain
their faith, permit themselves to question and cavil, they will find their
doubts constantly becoming more confirmed. {GC 527.3}
But those who doubt God's promises and distrust the
assurance of His grace are dishonoring Him; and their influence, instead of
drawing others to Christ, tends to repel [528] them
from Him. They are unproductive trees, that spread their dark branches far and
wide, shutting away the sunlight from other plants, and causing them to droop
and die under the chilling shadow. The lifework of these persons will appear as
a never-ceasing witness against them. They are sowing seeds of doubt and
skepticism that will yield an unfailing harvest. {GC 527.4}
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. {GC 528.1}
Satan can present a counterfeit so closely resembling the
truth that it deceives those who are willing to be deceived, who desire to shun
the self-denial and sacrifice demanded by the truth; but it is impossible for
him to hold under his power one soul who honestly desires, at whatever cost, to
know the truth. Christ is the truth and the "Light, which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world." John 1:9. The Spirit of truth has been
sent to guide men into all truth. And upon the authority of the Son of God it
is declared: "Seek, and ye shall find." "If any man will do His
will, he shall know of the doctrine." Matthew 7:7; John 7:17. {GC 528.2}
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. [529] {GC 528.3}
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. {GC 529.1}
"The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His
ears are open unto their prayers. . . . And who is he that will harm
you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" 1 Peter 3:12, 13. When
Balaam, allured by the promise of rich rewards, practiced enchantments against
Israel, and by sacrifices to the Lord sought to invoke a curse upon His people,
the Spirit of God forbade the evil which he longed to pronounce, and Balaam was
forced to exclaim: "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how
shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?" "Let me die the death
of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" When sacrifice had
again been offered, the ungodly prophet declared: "Behold, I have received
commandment to bless: and He hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not
beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord
his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them." "Surely
there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against
Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What
hath God wrought!" Yet a third time altars were erected, and again Balaam
essayed to secure a curse. But from the unwilling lips of the prophet, the
Spirit of God declared the prosperity of His chosen, and rebuked the folly and
malice of their foes: "Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he
that curseth thee." Numbers 23:8, 10, 20, 21, 23; 24:9. {GC 529.2}
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The people of Israel were at this time loyal to God; and so
long as they continued in obedience to His law, no power in earth or hell could
prevail against them. But the curse which Balaam had not been permitted to
pronounce against [530] God's people, he finally
succeeded in bringing upon them by seducing them into sin. When they
transgressed God's commandments, then they separated themselves from Him, and
they were left to feel the power of the destroyer. {GC 529.3}
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. {GC 530.1}
No man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer.
Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand His word. Here
are revealed the wiles of the tempter and the means by which he may be
successfully resisted. Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own
interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us to stumble. We
should study the Bible with humility of heart, never losing sight of our
dependence upon God. While we must constantly guard against the devices of
Satan, we should pray in faith continually: "Lead us not into
temptation." {GC
530.2}
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"The First Great Deception"
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