Satan as a Deceiver by W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 19, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 32.

Satan as a Deceiver.

By W.

IN our last article we showed from the admissions of Spiritualists themselves that the testimony of the spirits is not to be depended on; and that, since they are lying spirits, they must be, as the Bible says, spirits of devils. We know indeed that the spirits that communicate to men, and work wonders, are spirits of devils, because the devils and the angels of God are the only spirits there are. But none of these are the spirits of dead men. Angels, whether good or bad, are an order of beings entirely distinct from men. The Bible declares that "the dead know not anything;" but angels were never men, and men never become angels. If it is asked how we know that these spirits of which we speak are not good angels, we reply, that they are lying spirits. They deny the Bible, and the divinity of Christ. A sure test is this: "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.

Then the question arises, "If Spiritualism is of the devil, how is it that men are often healed of disease, and helped in various ways by it?" People will go to clairvoyant physicians, and will patronize the "mind cure," thinking that if they are benefited thereby to any degree, there can be nothing wrong in it. Say they, "The devil wouldn't do people good, would he?" Right here is where thousands will be swept into Spiritualism in spite of themselves.

Notice these texts: "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Rev. 16:13, 14. "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast," etc. Rev. 19:20. Also in Rev. 13:13, 14 we read of the power called "the false prophet," that "he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do."

These texts show that the devil performs his wonders solely for the purpose of deception. To deceive means to impose upon; to delude; to ensnare by artifice. We are deceived only by false

pretenses. The gambler deceives the unwary by pretending to be his friend. Very often a man who is a thief at heart deceives a whole community, so that they trust him as an honest man. He will be very kind to them; he may do them great favors until he can gain their confidence and their property. If the libertine should always appear in his true character, he could never seduce the innocent. But he appears as a virtuous man; he talks of virtue and religion; he appears as the embodiment of virtuous sentiment, until he gains the full confidence of his intended victim. Thus he practices those seductive arts that show him to be an apt pupil of his master the devil. Indeed, any one who has lived long in this world need not be told that the worst of men often dissemble and appear to be the best friends of those whom they would ruin.

If this is so with men, should we be surprised that Satan, the arch deceiver, should do likewise? He is the originator of deception and deceptive arts; and wicked men and seducers are only attempting what he can do to perfection. Paul says that he appears as an angel of light. Now it would be useless for Satan to appear as an angel of light unless he acted as one. Thus we are to understand that, so far as possible, he throws aside, or rather conceals, his devilish character, and appears as a friend.

Let it be borne in mind, then, that when the Bible says that the devil will work miracles to deceive those that dwell on the earth, it virtually tells us that he will do things to gain our confidence and good-will. But just as the seducer has selfish ends in view when he does good acts, so Satan has an object of his own to serve in all his deceptions, and that is the ruin of mankind. And this should answer those who say, "Well, suppose the devil is behind this clairvoyant healing and mind cure, if we are helped isn't it all right?" We answer, no. Just as we would not receive favors from a villain who had ends of his own to serve by offering them to us, so we ought not to accept favors at the hands of the devil. We do not care to be under obligations to him, for we are sure that for everything he gives he will exact more than tenfold in return. By means of his pretended good services, he is now fastening the chains of error around thousands. Remember, he "deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do."

Then the question has been asked, "Why does God permit the devils to lay their invisible snares for the souls of men? Why does he allow them to be so deceived?" He does not allow them to lay invisible snares. His word sheds the clearest light upon them, so that none need be deceived. "We are not ignorant of Satan's devices," if we take heed to the lamp of God's word. But, unfortunately, people will not heed the warning. The Bible is full of admonitions, but these will do no good unless heeded. Says the wise man: "If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

. . . Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path." Prov. 2:3-9.

But instead of so doing, men hate (true) knowledge, and do not choose the fear of the Lord; therefore, they eat of the fruit of their own way, and are filled with their own devices. Indeed, the Bible plainly declares that no man is ever led away by the deceptions of Satan unless he first rejects truth. Paul says that Satan works "with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2:9, 10.

To those who are thinking of "trying" the spirits by personal inspection, we would say, Beware. Trust the description that you find in God's word, and go not into their assemblies. God's word is a better guide than human sense. Keep as far away from danger as possible; keep off the devil's ground; in short, keep in Christ, where alone there is safety. W.