The Devil’s Devices

 

The devices that Satan uses to attack the truth and prevent a clear testimony of the truth on the part of God's people are illustrated in the account of how the Pharaoh dealt with Israel in Exodus. Satan tries to destroy the truth by persecuting God's people or keeping them in worldliness. The purpose behind enslaving the Israelites was to prevent them from leaving Egypt, which was a type or figure of the world. (Exodus 1:10-11) The purpose behind increasing their burdens was to keep them from worshipping Jehovah (or Yahweh). (Exodus 5:6-17) When Pharaoh did send Israel away he was sending them to a religious festival and not a permanent departure, and the subsequent pursuit by Pharaoh and his army was to stop true worship by destroying God's people. (Exodus 3:18; 5:1-3; 12:31; 14:9; note that the Israelites camped at Pihahiroth at the close of the third day of their journey from Egypt as they had told Pharaoh, and from a natural viewpoint they would have went to the north of the Gulf of Suez for a permanent departure.)

Satan imitates the truth and the works of the truth to make his servants appear to be the spiritual equals or equivalents of God's people. (Exodus 7:10-12, 20-22; 8:6-7; Matthew 7:15-23; II Corinthians 11:3-4,13-15; II Timothy 3:5, 8)

Satan uses compromise, as demonstrated in the propositions submitted by Pharaoh to Moses after four successive plagues fell on Egypt. The first proposition was: You can worship your God as long as you do this in Egypt. (Exodus 8:25) In other words: We are willing to acknowledge Jehovah as a god, but you should be broadminded and recognize the claims of our gods as well, and we can worship our gods together. (I Kings 18:21; I Corinthians 10:21) The Devil offers this compromise because he knows that the witnesses of the truth of God sacrifice the power of their testimony when they make the truth which they represent merely one of many from which the choice is inconsequential.

 The second proposition was: You can leave Egypt to worship your God, but don't put a distance between yourselves and Egypt. (Exodus 8:28) Pharaoh offered this compromise because he knew that Israel could not accomplish anything by separating just a little way from Egypt. The Devil offers this compromise because he knows that Christians are ineffective and not a threat to his kingdom if they do not take any clear-cut and decisive positions. (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:14-15; James 4:7-8)

The third proposition was: You can go as far away from Egypt as you like to worship your God, but you must leave your children in Egypt. (Exodus 10:8-11) In other words: You separate yourselves from the world and worship your God, but let the Devil and the world teach your children what they need to know about morals and religion, and don't bother the children with devotions, Bible stories, moral guidance, doctrines, or church until they are grown and converted themselves.

The fourth proposition was: You and your children can leave Egypt, but you must leave your property in Egypt. (Exodus 10:24-26) In other words: You can acknowledge God's sovereignty over your person and your family, but not over your money and possessions. Don't make monetary offerings a part of your worship. (Matthew 6:21) Note that where the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil, the context is dealing with heresy and backsliding. (I Timothy 6:3-10, 17-19)