Satan’s Tactics by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 12, 1906

Satan’s Tactics

By William Ambrose Spicer

THERE was a time when opposition to the Bible came from avowed skeptics or infidels of the Voltaire, Ingersoll, or Bradlaugh types. The authority and divine origin of the Bible were directly assailed.

That kind of opposition is little in evidence in these days. The higher critics have taken away the business of the old-fashioned opposer.

Now it is freely allowed that the Bible is the word of God, but theories as to human influences entering into it have undermined its authority. It is inspired, say its professed friends, but then, every man’s best work is inspired. So, with all the theories of inspiration, the true faith in the Scriptures as the living word of the living God is well-nigh banished from the earth. Indirect attack has been far more destructive than the direct and open method.

There was a time in the history of our work when the enemy’s opposition to it was prominent in direct and open attack upon this truth and movement. We must be watchful of the indirect attack in these days when we see the evil one changing his tactics. He is sure to seek to undermine and spoil, where he fails to overthrow. It will be here a perversion, there a false notion, some side-issue to take attention from the main line of the advent truth—anything to persuade the unwary to forget that the very message that made this advent movement, and made us a people of prophecy with a mission in the world, is the message that will finish the work.

And in personal experience, where once the temptations, perhaps, came in direct assaults upon the spiritual life, we may well watch for the indirect method. The devil will seek to spoil the experience which he can not altogether crush. Where he can not overturn the coach, according to the old saying, he will endeavor to drive it.

Where the enemy can not lead us into the world, out and out, he will try to put a little of the world into us. Satan has come down in great wrath to deceive, if possible, the very elect. His fiercest wrath is not always manifested in direct attack. Paul said, “We are not ignorant of his devices.” Vigilance now and stedfast dependence upon God are the essentials to progress in religious experience.

W. A. S.