Peeking Into the Devils Playbook

Satans Strategies for Tempting Christians to Sin

By Robert G. Spinney

Peeking Into the Devils Playbook: Satans Strategies for Tempting Christians to Sin ISBN 0-9776680-4-5

1st Edition Copyright 2006 by Robert G. Spinney All rights reserved.

TULIP BOOKS P.O. Box 481 Hartsville, TN 37074 USA www.tulipbooks.com

All Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

emptation is an issue that Christians rarely talk about these days. Even the word itself has quietly slipped out of religious use. Temptation has instead become a term used to boost sales of perfume and chocolates. Attempting to create an electrifying name that would attract big audiences, television producers titled a recent reality show Temptation Island. I know of no musical groups called The Blasphemers or The Compromisers, but one of Motowns most famous groups was named The Temptations. One grocery store chain recently called its new line of gourmet cookies (you guessed it!) Temptations. The word temptation once evoked a sense of seriousness and caution, much as did the words tuberculosis and heresy. To brand something a temptation was to give it the kiss of death: no respectable person would knowingly flirt with temptation. Now it is a word we say with a twinkle in our eye. It would be bad enough if the word temptation had simply dropped out of common use, but it is worse than that. Temptation is no longer seen as a devilish strategy for encouraging Christians to sin. By losing the biblical concept of sins enticing appeal, we have also lost (at least in part) the biblical diagnosis of how and why we sin. Few subjects are as practical for the Christian as temptation. In all likelihood, you will be tempted to sin at least several times today. If you are a believer, then you know from experience that sins seduction is frequent, unrelenting, and more successful than we would like to admit.

his booklet aims to reacquaint believers with the critical subject of temptation. More specifically, it is designed to equip you to resist temptation more effectively. This booklet also has a second goal: to familiarize you with a book about

temptation that was written 350 years ago. Thomas Brooks, a Puritan pastor, published Precious Remedies Against Satans Devices in 1652. Holding Brooks book in my hands makes me feel like a football coach who will be leading his team into the Super Bowl in a few weeks . . . and who has obtained his opponents entire playbook. Brooks book is something like Satans playbook: with withering thoroughness, it exposes the most common temptation strategies that the Father of Lies uses to damage Gods people. Then it supplies no-nonsense remedies that the believer can use to thwart Satans assaults. Because my burden is identical to that of Brooks, this booklet uses the first section of Precious Remedies Against Satans Devices as a framework for discussing temptation. I borrow some of Brooks ideas and quote him occasionally. I also include a few quotations from other Puritan pastors, in part to demonstrate that Brooks ideas were shared by his peers in pastoral ministry. This booklet is not a shorter version of Brooks work, but it uses some of Brooks concepts as a starting point for its own treatment of temptation. I trust that this booklet will prosper your soul; I hope that this booklet will also encourage you to read Precious Remedies Against Satans Devices for yourself. hy should Christians consider carefully the subject of temptation? Four reasons. First, discussions today about combating temptation have gone the way of the dinosaur: both are seemingly extinct. Yet virtually all honest observers agree that holiness among professing Christians is at low ebb today. Part of the reason we are not holy is because we rarely consider the old issue of temptation. Temptation is the door between holiness and sin. The Bible establishes a direct causal link between our desires, temptation, and sin (James 1:14-15). Christians who are determined to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord must be determined to battle

with temptation. Practical Christian living often comes down to saying to oneself, I am facing a temptation to sin. I will say no to it. (Learn to say no, advised Charles Haddon Spurgeon. It will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin.) In everyday terms, denying myself, taking up my cross, and following Christ almost always (and I am inclined to say always) involves resisting sins temptations. However, naivete about the Devils schemes allows temptation to flourish unchecked. If we dont see the enemy, he is free to plunder. Christians can only resist temptation effectively when they have reflected on how temptation works. Second, discussing temptation means discussing Satans activity in this present world. It is difficult today to speak about spiritual warfare, in part because of the excesses and downright nonsense of some who have used these concepts unbiblically. Our caution regarding the careless use of words like Satan, the devil, and demons often keeps us from talking about spiritual warfare at all. But a biblical understanding of temptation recaptures the truth that Satans primary activity in this world is to tempt humans to sin. Spiritual warfare (correctly understood) is warfare that takes place largely within a mans soul: Satan tempts me to sin while Gods Word and Gods Spirit call me to faith and obedience. We must recover this sense of daily spiritual warfare or we will not recover daily biblical holiness. Third, the joint treatment of temptation and Satan communicates this issues seriousness. Temptation is not just a nagging desire to eat a little more chocolate; rather, it is the Prince of Darknesss activity that encourages me to commit cosmic treason against God. Sin is not merely a violation of abstract moral rules; rather, it is a personal defiance of the Creators legitimate authority. Spiritual warfare is not an exotic topic reserved for charismatic preachers and Christian novels; rather, it is what happens every time I am tempted to sin.

Fourth, to expose Satans tactics with regard to temptation is to win half the battle. To be sure, understanding temptation does not guarantee holiness. Exposed temptations still retain their fleshly appeal. Nevertheless, the sad fact is that many of us are far too easily sucked into sinful behaviors. We are deceived, misled, tricked, and bamboozled by the Father of Lies. Often we do not even realize it. Fortunately, light dispels darkness. Unmasked sin is easier to resist than camouflaged sin. The first section of Precious Remedies Against Satans Devices is entitled Satans Devices to Draw the Soul to Sin. This section discusses twelve temptations and their remedies (to use Brooks word). I will use Precious Remedies twelve-point framework here to organize our own discussion. The twelve sections that follow match Brooks identification of Satans twelve most frequently used temptation strategies.

Satans most common scheme: he presents the bait and hides the hook. Satan presents sin as fun, satisfying, profitable, and pleasurable, while concealing the miseries and pain that always accompany sin. Surely this is part of what Scripture calls the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). We are tempted to believe that our happiness and fulfillment require us to indulge some sin. The passing pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25) seem irresistible, in part because temptation presents to me only the alleged benefits of sin. Far from conferring benefits, however, sin is the very thing that cripples us. As Brooks puts it, wrath, misery, shame, and loss always follow the committing of sin. Sin is bad for many reasons; one of them is that it wreaks havoc in a mans soul. It promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness. Sin leads to more and bigger sins. It either makes us feel guilty and ashamed (which is bad) or creates moral numbness in us so we no longer

feel guilt and shame over our sin (which is worse). But Satan hides these hooks and presents only the bait. Satan used this ploy successfully in the Garden of Eden. He told Eve that the forbidden fruit would open her eyes, thus causing her to be like God (Genesis 3:4-5). The serpent presented the bait; he said nothing about the hook. Richard Sibbes, one of Brooks contemporaries, wrote, Satan gives Adam an apple, and takes away Paradise. Therefore in all temptations let us consider not what he offers, but what we shall lose. Satan also tempted the Lord Jesus Christ in this manner: he offered Christ the largest bait imaginable, namely all the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8-9). The bait looks attractive because we believe that sin leads to happiness. Temptation offers shortcuts to fulfillment; it promises quick contentment. But obedience to God is the only sure route to satisfaction. Gods laws are guidelines given by a loving Creator who desires for His creatures to flourish. Holiness (not sin!) leads to happiness. Sins remnants in us rebel against this truth, which is why we often struggle with obedience to Gods will. Satan exploits sins vestiges in us and fans our doubts about whether Gods way is truly the best way. When we are tempted, the alleged benefits of a sin appear largejust like a juicy worm appears large on a fishermans hook. The worm does taste good to the fish when he swallows it. But along with the worm comes a hook. Expect Satan to entice you with bait that has special appeal to you. Satan, like a fisher, baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish, observed Thomas Adams, one of Brooks fellow pastors. Sins hook is painful. It injures, damages, enslaves, and sometimes disables. Sin leaves long-term (and occasionally lifelong) scars: although God forgives sin, He frequently allows us to live with the consequences of our sins. Christian, believe Gods assessment of sin: it brings misery.

Satan misrepresents sin so that it appears not only harmless but even virtuous. Scripture reports that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Understand that Satans deception extends beyond disguising his person to also disguising his activities. Especially when the Deceiver tempts Christians, he presents sins as things that are not so bad and sometimes even good. Wasnt this what Satan did in the Garden of Eden? He claimed the forbidden fruit would open the eyes, make man like God, and impart the ability to know good and evil. Eves conclusion: it was good to eat the fruit (Genesis 3:6-7). Brooks gives several examples of this kind of temptation that resonated with his seventeenth-century culture. Believers are tempted to be proud (says Brooks) when Satan deceives us into thinking that pride is really only neatness and cleanliness. Christians are tempted to covet when covetousness is repackaged as thriftiness. Drunkenness is recast as nothing more than enjoying fellowship with friends. Riotous living is excused as merely a stage through which all youth pass. Here are several examples that resonate with todays culture. Men are tempted to give free rein to their bad tempers when this sin is portrayed as merely exercising firm leadership as the head of ones family. Women are tempted to nag and manipulate their husbands when they are deceived into regarding such behaviors as only encouraging their spouses to do whats right. Children are tempted to dishonor their parents when they think they are only exercising their God-given rights as individuals. We allow ourselves to wallow in self-pity when we rationalize it as suffering unfairly for Christs sake. Believers are tempted to indulge in pornography when Satan persuades them that they are merely fulfilling normal sexual desires in a way that doesnt hurt anyone. Impatience is justified as a determination to get things accomplished. Irreverence in worship is

excused as friendliness, warmth, and avoiding stuffiness. When we are argumentative in religious discussions, we are tempted to justify our lack of kindness because we are defending the truth. We are tempted to wear immodest clothing when we recast the subject as fitting into our culture for the sake of the gospel. An employee is tempted to steal from his employer when he regards his theft of money, goods, or time as a just compensation for the employers alleged injustices. Sadly, sin corrupts our minds so that we make ingenious defenses for sinful conduct. (See Ephesians 2:3, Ephesians 4:1718, Titus 1:15, 2 Timothy 3:8, Colossians 1:21, and Romans 8:6-7 for statements regarding sins effect on the mind.) Indeed, we are chillingly adept at putting a virtuous face on sin. Satan encourages this activity; he excites the remnants of sin in us to think about sin itself in an unbiblical (and sinful!) manner. A sanctified mind is one of our best defenses against temptation. Sin frequently appeals to our feelings; in this regard, it is often irrational. It uses our emotions to overwhelm our better judgment. But when our mind is informed by the Word of God, it exposes sin to the purifying light of Gods truth. It is our mind that says, No! This sexual lust will not make me happy. It will not fulfill; it will make me miserable. It will destroy the joy and contentment that only God gives. A biblically-informed mind argues against the often emotional appeal of temptation; it unmasks sin that masquerades as virtue. In so doing, a sanctified mind promotes real godliness (and real contentment).

Satan downplays the seriousness of sin so that we think it poses no danger to our soul. But its such a harmless sin, Satan tells us. Its so small. No one will be hurt. Its just a little pride, a little worldliness, a little compromise, a little sexual immorality. Only you and God will know, and God understands. There will be no victims and

no negative fallout from such a minor sin. You may engage in this sin (carefully, of course) without harming your soul. This is a lie. Despite its appeal to your flesh, you must reject this temptation as a falsehood straight from Hell. All sin is a vandalizing of Gods world; all sin is a criminal violation of Gods authority. Sin both offends and betrays God. Theologian Cornelius Plantinga explains: Sin is not only the breaking of law but also the breaking of covenant with ones Savior. Sin is the smearing of the relationship, the grieving of ones divine parent and benefactor, a betrayal of the partner to whom one is joined by holy bond. (Not the Way Its Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, p. 12) This is why the Bible never suggests that so-called small sins are insignificant. Every sin is big. Of course, some sins carry more obvious consequences, and some sins hurt more bystanders than other sins. But even the smallest sin is an act of treason against the Creator. Sin is a personal affront to God: deliberate sin is the equivalent of slapping God in the face. This is why Adam plunged the human race into sin and was banished from Eden for what we would likely consider a small sin. Adam didnt murder or commit adultery; he ate a piece of fruit! This was a massively serious sin, however, because it (like all sin) was a defiant rejection of Gods legitimate authority. Is not resisting so-called small sins a better test of true love for God than avoiding what we regard as big sins? The earthly consequences of big sins are frequently so frightful that even non-Christians refrain from them. Because of the threat of legal punishment or the prospect of public scorn, even unbelievers often frown on adultery, condemn murder, and disapprove of theft. But in small sins, the issue of obedience or disobedience is more clearly one of principle. When the consequences of sin are less apparent, do you still obey God? Do you obey God simply because He is God? Do you avoid sin only because of its painful earthly consequences, or rather because you love your Creator?

Sin corrupts our thinking so that we do not see how small sins damage our souls. Due to sins very nature (and not its smallness or bigness), it distorts our character and perverts our abilities. Small sins are like small amounts of the HIV virus: they weaken our spiritual immune system, compromise our overall spiritual health, increase our vulnerability to other sins, and insure that we will grow only more ill in the future. Small sins numb our consciences. They nurture soul-level corruption and lead to other sins. Brooks is right: in the end, there is more misery in the smallest sin than in the most severe hardship. Small sins often lead to big sins. Heres how. We frequently entertain small sins when we feel empty, lonely, depressed, or angry. We want our spirits to improvewe want a mood enhancerso we indulge in a sin in hopes that it will make us happy. Often it does: there is frequently a momentary thrill when we do something forbidden, and sin is often pleasurable (at least initially). Our little sin seemingly has the desired effect of injecting excitement into our lives. However, this sin-induced mood enhancement wears off. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can create sustained fulfillment and contentment in our souls. We soon find ourselves back where we started: empty, lonely, depressed, or angry. But now, the little sin that electrified us last month no longer carries the same thrill that it had before. It is no longer exotic because we have explored it. Indulging in our little sin has normalized that sin to us. At this critical moment, temptation does not say to us, The old course of actionfinding pleasure in sinfailed. Instead, the Tempter says, Finding pleasure in sin is the right course of action; just do more sin. To enhance our mood now, we must graduate from our little sin to a bigger and more exciting one. In time, however, we will become bored with this bigger sin as well . . . and will need an even bigger one to obtain the same mood-enhancing effect.

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This is the classic process of addiction. Alcoholics and drug addicts know it all too well. However, the same dynamic is at work with sin and especially the attraction of so-called little sins. The longest running addiction on planet earth is the addiction to sin. When we say that we are sinners, we mean that we are sin addicts; Christians are recovering sin addicts who suffer relapses. As with the alcoholic, so with the sin-oholic: he hopes to find in his vice the satisfaction that only God gives. A little sin is to the sinner what a little whiskey is to the alcoholic: they are doorways to self-destruction. Both sinner and alcoholic desperately need to resist temptations in order to be healthy. It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, says Proverbs 10:22, and He adds no sorrow to it. God gives spiritual highs that come with neither hangovers nor destructive addictions.

Satan tempts us to excuse sin (and be unconcerned about it) by showing us the sins of great men. We need not turn to tabloid newspapers to read of great mens sins; the Bible will suffice. Noah got drunk. Abraham lied. Jacob deceived his father and cheated his brother. David committed adultery and murder. Peter denied the Lord Jesus Christ and behaved hypocritically toward Gentile Christians. Satan tells us that such examples prove sin comes with few negative consequences. These men continued to be useful servants in Gods kingdom, Satan says. They sinned, found forgiveness, and the whole mess was over. They recovered and all was well. Satan also tells us that such examples prove that sin is inevitable. There is no avoiding sin, the devil says. Sin will happen to the very best of men. God expects us to sin, so He is neither surprised nor terribly disappointed when we do sin. Dont get overly concerned about sin, the Deceiver tells us. When Satan tempts us in this manner, he neglects to tell us the rest of the story. He hides the tears, heartaches, misery, and

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painful repentance that result from yielding to temptation. Davids infamous sins with Bathsheba and Uriah were followed by his humiliating encounter with Nathan, his public disgrace, and his soul-wrenching repentance. We also know that God punished David for his sin. (See Psalm 51 and 2 Samuel 12:10.) Peters denial of Jesus before a lowly servant girl resulted in a night of tears. According to early Christians who knew the elderly Peter, whenever the apostle heard a cock crow he would be reminded of his sins, fall upon his knees, and beg for pardon anew. Great saints sin, but they also feel the pain of sin acutely. Though God doth not, nor never will, disinherit His people for their sins, writes Brooks, yet He hath severely punished His people for their sins. Nor does Satan tell us that great men do not make it a habit to sin. They fall into sin, but they do not stay there. They are overtaken by sin; they do not remain in it. As Brooks put it, they fall accidentally, occasionally, and with much reluctancy; they do not sin obstinately, readily, delightfully, or customarily. Great saints grieve over and fight their way out of sin. Seeing the sins of great men should certainly affect us: it should persuade us that sin is deceitful and powerful. It should convince us that we are not strong enough to experiment with sin. Every Christian should realize that he is not so mature that he is immune to the allure of sin. Great mens sins should cause us to fear sin all the more and be even more vigilant in resisting it. Believers who think they stand should take heed lest they also fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). It can encourage our own repentance when we see that even great saints sinned and yet found restoration through forsaking their sin. Satans showing us the sins of great men often has another effect: it encourages us to think that we lack the power to resist sin. If that great saint could not resist temptation, the devil tells us, then how can you? You are much weaker than he! We

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see godly Christians succumb to temptations and conclude that resisting sin is futile. Not true. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) That verse assures me that I always possess the ability to resist Satans temptations. I never face a temptation that is stronger than the provision of Gods grace. God is faithful to restrict temptations to snares I am able to resist. This verse also tells me that there is always a way to escape from the temptation without sinning. I can never surrender and cry out, I cant endure this temptation any longer! Because a sovereign God controls all events and gives grace, I am always able to endure it. The question is never do I have the ability to resist this temptation to sin?, because the answer to that question is yes. Rather, the question Christians face is am I willing to resist this temptation to sin? The Bible tells me that I am never in a situation where I must sin. The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation. (2 Peter 2:9)

Satan tempts us to think that God is so indulgent that we need not fear punishment for our sins. Few of Satans lies are more widespread and more dangerous today: God is a God of love. He does not punish. He never judges. God expects people to sin and simply overlooks our sin, much as would a lenient and permissive grandfather. So dont get too alarmed about sin. Not true. Here we see Satan resorting to a common ploy: he obscures a portion of the truth to create a falsehood. God is indeed a God of love, but He is also holy. God forgives sin, but He is also a consuming fire. Although rich in mercy, God also cast the angels out of Heaven and expelled Adam from Paradise. Gods patience is great, but He also destroyed the entire earth

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in a catastrophic flood. God displays compassion, but He also sent fire from Heaven to judge the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Nowhere is Gods righteous anger against sin more clearly demonstrated than at Calvary. When the Lamb of God hung on the cross bearing the sins of all Gods people, the thrice holy God poured out His divine punishment upon the Messiah. The Bible makes this clear: the God who gives grace is also the God who judges sin. It is an error (and sometimes a fatal one) to misinterpret Gods patience as Gods indulgence. God mercifully withholds chastisement as He calls us to repentance. But Satan tempts us to regard withheld punishment as Gods lack of concern for our sin. We are then emboldened to continue in sin. Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4) The Holy Spirit displays Gods goodness to us and inclines us to repent; Satan tells us that Gods goodness is evidence that He wont punish sin and therefore we dont need to repent. God does not indulgently ignore our sins. Do not be deceived, says the Bible to we who are so easily deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7) There is a reaping that is inevitably linked to our sowing: if we sow in sinful actions, we will reap a harvest of sins consequences (which include Gods judgment). There are several good protections against temptation, but one of the best is a healthy fear of Gods hand of punishment. Brooks cautions that we should be most alarmed over our spiritual health when we can break Gods laws and not sense Gods holy displeasure with us. When God lets the way to Hell be a smooth and pleasant way, warns Brooks, it is a dreadful sign of Gods indignation against a man; a token of His rejection, and that God doth not intend good unto him.

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Satan tells us that repentance is easy and forgiveness is available, so yielding to temptation is not serious. We are tempted to think that well only commit a sin a few times and then claim Gods forgiveness. Correcting the situation after we sin (the Tempter tells us) is easy. But this is dangerous thinking for several reasons. First, consider how nauseating even we humans find insincere repentance. Heres an example of what I mean by insincere repentance. Imagine that you heard me saying to my young daughter, I am about to smash your finger with this hammer. I will do this deliberately and with no regard for the pain it causes you. I know it is wrong for me to crush your finger like this, but Im going to do it anyway. Ill do it because it is fun and pleasurable to me. And tomorrow, I will apologize and ask for your forgiveness. I then proceed to wallop my little girls finger; as expected, she screams in anguish. The next day, I say to my injured daughter, Im sorry. Please forgive me. Dont hold this against me. I apologize. Wouldnt you be horrified that I could manipulate concepts like Im sorry and forgive me so mechanically? Wouldnt you be outraged at my hypocrisy and maliciousness? Surely you would doubt that I was truly repentant; by definition, repentance includes sincerity and genuine remorse. Humans reject insincere repentance like this; surely God rejects it as well. Satan will tempt you to think that God will accept such insincere repentance. The Holy One of Israel will not; it is not true repentance at all. It is an insulting attempt to manipulate God, and it results in judgment. And what if Satan is successful at getting you to think like this? What if the devil persuades you to sin now on the assumption that it will be easy to find forgiveness later? If Satan is so successful at getting you to sin today, what makes you think he wont be equally successful at getting you to avoid repenting? Once you have committed your sin, Satan will work just as hard

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to persuade you that repentance is unnecessary. After your sin, the Adversary will point out (accurately, I might add) that repentance is often humiliating. It may involve tears and sleeplessness, shame and anguish of soul, perhaps even public confession and costly restitution. Anyone who has repented knows that repentance is not easy! If Satan persuades you to sin now, isnt it likely that he will persuade you to not repent later? The power of Satans temptations today should convince you that Satans temptations tomorrow will be equally powerful. Your easy repentance and easy forgiveness will not be so easy. Nor can we even be certain that we will want to repent after we sin. This is because indulging in sin desensitizes us to sin. Frequent sinning diminishes our sense of moral outrage at sin. When sin becomes commonplace and routine, we are more likely to sin again. We all know calloused men who sin repeatedly and no longer wish to repent of their sins. They continue in their sins precisely because they dont want to repent of them. This is the process that Scripture characterizes as a searing of the conscience (1 Timothy 4:2). Your deliberate sins today may make you unwilling to repent tomorrow.

Satan tempts us to fear sin so little that we do not keep a safe distance from it. Brooks characterized this strategy as making the soul bold to venture upon the occasions of sin. Like many of the devils lies, it distorts a truth, namely that temptation is not sin. The Christian who is tempted only sins when he surrenders to the temptation; being tempted is not a sin. But the Tempter twists this truth into an untruth that says that there is no harm in getting close to sin or exposing yourself to temptations so long as you dont take the final step and do the sin. It goes like this: You need not keep a safe distance from sin. You are strong enough to resist temptation; you are strong enough to go near

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sin without falling into it. You need not avoid compromising situations. Sin is not so strong and you are not that weak. Heres how Brooks expressed this temptation: Saith Satan, You may walk by the harlots door though you wont go into the harlots bed; you may sit and sup with the drunkard, though you wont be drunk with the drunkard . . . you may with Achan handle the golden wedge, though you do not steal the golden wedge. The Scriptures primary teaching regarding temptation is to flee from it. Few Bible truths today are as neglected as this one. Our spiritual forefathers understood well both their own sinfulness and the alluring power of sin; for them, fleeing temptation was the Christians first strategy for growing in holiness. But today, we think far too little of sins power and far too much of our own spiritual ability. As a result, fleeing temptation is often regarded as a quaint notion, one popular in a bygone era when people were too uptight about sin. But what do the Scriptures say? The Lord Jesus Christ instructed His followers to pray that they would not be confronted with temptations to sin (Matthew 6:13, 26:41). How can we sincerely pray, Father, do not lead us into temptation and then recklessly place ourselves in situations that overwhelm us with temptation? If I ask God to steer me away from temptation, then surely I must steer myself away from it as well! When the Apostle Paul counseled the young pastor Timothy, he told him to flee from the temptations of materialism and lust (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). When the inspired apostle wrote to the Christians in Corinth, he directed them to flee from immorality and idolatry (1 Corinthians 6:18, 10:14). These New Testament instructions reaffirm Old Testament teaching: Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on. (Proverbs 4:14-15)

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To be sure, God sometimes calls His people to remain in positions where temptation is ongoing. For example, Christian policemen face their own special temptations that are almost inescapable. Living in a fallen world means believers can never completely insulate themselves from temptation. God does not command us to withdraw into present-day monasteries where temptations are allegedly minimized. But the first Christian response to sinful temptation is to get away from it, if possible. Satan tempts us to not flee temptation. The devil encourages us to think that the temptation does not warrant fleeing because it is easy to resist. Satan strokes our self-esteem by telling us that we are sufficiently strong to say no to the temptation. The Father of Lies tells us something like this: You have identified the temptation. You see the sin. Thats all that is necessary. You are now adequately protected from the temptation: seeing it clearly makes you immune to its allure. We want to believe Satan, dont we? Distancing ourselves from a temptation or removing ourselves from a tempting environment often involves cost. Fleeing may require extra work or create inconveniences. People who notice our sin-fleeing tactics frequently reward us with scorn or ridicule. Even church members will sometimes disdain your fleeing from sin as cowardice, legalism, self-righteousness, or surrender. Sometimes we enjoy a small thrill from being close to a sin, almost like smelling a good meal but not eating it. (Fellow Puritan Samuel Rutherford wisely observed, To want temptations is the greatest temptation of all.) For many reasons, we would rather not go to the trouble of distancing ourselves from sinful temptations. Satan hides from us two things: sins deceitful power and our own weakness when it comes to resisting sin. He obscures the fact that sinful behavior excites sins remnants inside us. Sinful behaviors inflame more sin in our soul, and thus sin ensnares us. The process is all too familiar: We are tempted to

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sin but persuaded to think that we can resist the temptation. Once we get close to the sin, however, we want to sample just a little bit of it . . . but only a little, so that we will still be able to free ourselves quickly (or so we tell ourselves). Then once we nibble, the remnants of sin inside us are strengthened. Now we want a slightly larger bite. Satan skillfully encourages us to think that we are still in control of the situation. Like every other addict in the world, we think, I can stop any time I want. Sobelieving that we can always put it down and walk awaywe indulge the larger bite. That inflames even more sin inside of us. Isnt it true that living the Christian life often involves doing things that non-Christians dont understand? One of those things is fleeing from temptation. In a world full of people who think they are quite self-sufficient and capable when it comes to doing what is morally right, we Christians are painfully aware of our debilitating moral weaknesses. We know that even when our spirit is willing, our flesh is weak. Others may think that sin is not resident in them, but we quickly affirm that the remnants of sin continue to plague even the most mature believer. We have no delusions regarding our spiritual strength, as we have all fallen more times than we care to admit. At least when we are thinking rationally, we know that the Bible is right: we must flee from temptation. Sometimes fleeing temptation means removing myself physically from a situation where the temptation to sin is great. With regard to some movies, for example, fleeing temptation may well mean leaving the room (or better yet, checking out the movies content before exposing yourself to the temptation). Sometimes fleeing temptation means removing myself electronically from compromising situations. I flee temptation when I install software to prevent viewing pornography on my computer. Sometimes fleeing temptation means taking steps so I

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wont find myself in a temptation-infested situation. If I am prone to gossip with a certain friend, for example, I might make certain that another Christian joins my conversations with that friend as a kind of conversation chaperone. Fleeing temptation might mean having a third person present whenever I am alone (for example, while riding in a car) with a member of the opposite sex. If I am tempted to spend too much time on my hobby, then fleeing temptation might involve limiting myself to one golf outing or one garage sale safari every month. William Bridge (another Brooks peer) suggested one way to flee temptation: deliberately engage your mind and body in some wholesome and God-pleasing activity when temptation strikes. The way to avoid temptation is not always to apply a salve directly pertinent to the temptation, said Bridge, but turn off your mind and your thoughts to some other good object, and by that time your mind is settled upon other objects, you will be easily able to meet with the temptation. (Scottish pastor Thomas Chalmers called this the expulsive power of the new affection.) Surely this is an example of disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). Note well the critical point here: fleeing temptation means we must take actionsometimes preemptive actionto avoid the temptation and hence avoid the sin. We must regard sin as sufficiently serious to warrant serious sin-avoidance measures. We dont stand against the temptation and fight it toe-to-toe; rather, we flee so there is no toe-to-toe fight at all. For Brooks and his peers, fleeing temptation meant fleeing things that looked like sin, could develop into sin, or dulled ones sense of moral outrage against sin. They understood 1 Thessalonians 5:22 as instruction to avoid even things that appeared to be evil. We must not only hate and avoid gross sins, said Brooks, but everything that may carry a savour or suspicion of sin. Some may regard this radical determination

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to shun sinful occasions (as Brooks called it) as extreme, but Christians in Brooks generation believed it to be only common sense. As Brooks put it, He that would not be burned, must dread the fire.

Satan causes us to see clearly the happiness and comfort that flagrant sinners seem to enjoy. Some non-Christians scoff at God, indulge in spectacular sins, and yet still seem to thrive. The Evil One shines the spotlight on these men when they are healthy, wealthy, happy, and carefree to insure that believers notice them. He uses the entertainment industry to bombard us with a non-stop parade of celebrities, athletes, stars, and business tycoonsall of them smiling and apparently content, yet all the while unconcerned with the things of God. Unbelievers live the good life while believers deny themselves (and often suffer hardship) for the sake of Christs kingdom. Few things are more trying than seeing ungodly men prosper. For millennia, the most mature of Gods people have struggled with this temptation. I was envious of the arrogant, as I saw the prosperity of the wicked, confessed David. They are not in trouble as other men. David was tempted to regard his own faithfulness to God as worthless: Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence. (Psalm 73:3,5,13) Most Christians understand intellectually that the ungodly mans pleasures are short-lived, but it is still emotionally difficult to see wicked men prosper. Satan uses this to nourish disappointment and frustration in Gods people. He presents to us friends, family members, coworkers, celebrities, and historical figures and whispers to us, Look at all these people! They are just like you . . . except they did not pursue holiness with the same seriousness as you. Look how happy they are! Look how blessed their children are! Look

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how satisfying their lives are! Then the Adversary tempts us to abandon our faith: Is obeying God really worth it? Brooks has Satan doing his sinister work with these words: If ever thou wouldst be freed from the dark night of adversity, and enjoy the sunshine of prosperity, thou must walk in their ways. Satan frequently uses this mode of temptation when believers are sad, depressed, or otherwise discouraged. We compare our despair with the apparent happiness of non-Christians. When things are bad, it is easy for us to think, Why try to resist sin? Look at how bad things are. Look at where my Christian life has gotten me. Who cares? What does one more episode of failure matter? What will a little more sin matter? Temptation preys upon self-pity; temptation says, I can make you feel better. I can give you a quick fix. You can be happy like all those other people! And you deserve it! What the Deceiver does not disclose is the rest of the story. It is simply not true that flagrant sinners suffer no hardship. Even in this life, sinful disregard for Gods will frequently results in tragedy. Notice how frequently the rich and famous suffer through divorces, battle with addictions to drugs or alcohol, commit suicide, or see their children run afoul of the law. Satan hides this from us. Not surprisingly, people tend to keep their personal pain private. The media often does not report the not-so-happy stories of alcoholism, loneliness, family fighting, and sexually transmitted diseases. Thus we tend to see only part of the story, namely the attractive part of the story that Satan wants us to see. If we saw the entire pictureif we saw how unbiblical lifestyles frequently lead to disaster in this present lifewe would not find Satans temptations so alluring. They have, indeed, a glorious outside, writes Brooks of the unbelievers who seem to prosper, but if you view their insides, you will easily find that they fill the head full of cares, and the heart full of tears.

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In some cases, however, non-Christians indeed suffer little disaster in this life. They sin flagrantly and enjoy prosperity. Christians must think biblically about such situations. Then I perceived their end, said David, after God showed him the eternal destiny of the ungodly men who prosper in this life. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment! (Psalm 73:17-19) We must remind ourselves that eternity is a long, long, long time. The pleasures of sin for a season do not compare with the pleasures of God, which Christians will enjoy forever in Heaven. Satans temptations usually focus on immediate delights in this present life. He labors to prevent us from thinking with an eternal perspective. God repeatedly instructs us to think rationally about time: our stay on this earth is actually quite brief, and the vast majority of our existence will be spent either in Heaven or Hell. When you are tempted to live like the ungodly, be sure to consider the eternal destiny of the ungodly.

Satan causes us to see clearly the disappointments and difficulties that godly men face. Following the Lord Jesus Christ means that you will share (to some measure) in Christs experience of hardship and difficulty. Gods people are not immune to affliction. Some godly men are financially distressed, others are in poor health, and still others suffer persecution. Gods Word tells us quite plainly that it is through much tribulation that we must enter the kingdom of Heaven (Acts 14:22). Thus it is easy for Satan to show us godly men who suffer. He makes sure that we see the high cost of holiness. Satan knows that this often discourages Christians: we waver when we see others endure hardship. He knows that this tempts us to reassess our commitment to Christ: is faithfulness worth pain and difficulty? He tempts us to compromise: you may still be a

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Christian (Satan says) and yet enjoy an easier life, albeit a life slightly less pleasing to God. Brooks puts it this way: Satan says, Who but a madman would spend his days in sorrow, vexation, and affliction, when it may be prevented by walking in the ways that I have set before him? However, Satan prevents us from seeing how difficulty often produces good fruit in believers lives. The Bible characterizes hardships in the Christians life as profitable discipline. Initially it leads to sorrow, but eventually it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:10-11). Satan does not show us that a sovereign and loving God is behind all trials in the believers life. The benefits that come from hardship are seen only with eyes of faith. Satan thus encourages us to discount the truth that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Do godly men struggle through difficulties? Yes. Are godly men ultimately blessed through those difficulties and made stronger? Yes. Trials promote sanctification. (See Psalm 119:67, 71,75, Romans 5:3-4, and James 1:2-4.) Satan also prevents us from looking at believers struggles from an eternal perspective. By encouraging us to leave eternity out of the picture, Satan makes it more difficult to regard the Christians pain for what it is: momentary light affliction (2 Corinthians 4:17). The most severe hardship faced by a believer is still only a temporary hardship, one that lasts for a relatively brief moment of time when weighed in the context of eternity. And Satan neglects to show us that the afflictions connected with unbiblical living are far worse than the afflictions connected with biblical living. Hardships may well accompany following the Lord Jesus Christ. However, they are far less devastating than the hardships that accompany despising Gods Son and disobeying Gods Word.

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Satan tempts us to compare ourselves to men whom we think are worse than we are. You do so much better than Brother Ralph, Satan says. Compare yourself to Ralph. You know more theology than he does. You serve God more zealously than he does. You are a little sloppy with your holiness sometimes, but Ralph frequently engages in big sins. You can indulge this small sin and still be far more effective than most Christians. Dont take this one sin so seriously; youll still be better than Ralph. This is an old strategy, one that Satan apparently used on the pharisee who found himself praying alongside the tax collector (Luke 18:11). Satan blinds us to the truth that Ralphs diligence (or lack thereof) has nothing to do with my standing before God. My faithfulness is never determined by whether I am ahead or behind others in the holiness contest. Gods requirement for me is not to be holier than Ralph; Gods expectations of me are not determined by others successes or failures. My life is measured by the yardstick of Gods Word, not the yardstick of other men. Truth be known, I have no right to think I am holier than Brother Ralph. The very fact that Im thinking this way (I am more spiritual than Ralph) indicates that I am sorely lacking in holiness! As Brooks says, There is not a greater nor a clearer argument to prove a man a hypocrite, than to be quick-sighted abroad and blind at home, than to see a mote in another mans eye, and not a beam in his own eye. (Matthew 7:3-4) What if it is true that God has gifted you more than others and taught you more than others? That means that God has done a great work in you . . . and to whom much is given, much shall be required. If God has given you an especially large measure of grace, then God calls you to an especially large measure of holiness. And when a mature Christian surrenders to temptation, his sins often have double consequences: immediate (and devastating) consequences in his own life and

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secondary (and equally devastating) consequences in the lives of believers who view him as a role model. When Satan tempts you to sin and brings Brother Ralph to your mind, consider this sobering truth: your yielding to temptation may have ruinous spiritual effects on others.

Satan encourages spiritual ignorance and unbiblical thinking in us. Biblical thinking promotes biblical behavior, and unbiblical thinking frequently results in unbiblical living. Gross errors make the heart foolish, and render the life loose, writes Brooks. Error spreads and frets like a gangrene, and renders the soul a leper in the sight of God. We are more likely to indulge our sinful desires when the enemy has obscured Gods truths and filled our minds with wrong ideas. The Holy Spirit transforms believers by renewing their minds (Romans 12:2); the devil employs his craftiness to lead minds astray (2 Corinthians 11:3). For example, Satan tempts us to think we dont need the public means of grace. He encourages us to think that the public worship of God, pastors sermons, the Lords Supper, accountability to a local church, and Christian fellowship are unnecessary. Our flesh is all too eager to agree with these temptations: our flesh wants to cry out, Church attendance is legalistic! and I can know Gods truth without hearing the Bible taught! By tempting us to have a low opinion of the public means of grace, Satan encourages us to neglect them. Satan also tempts us to think that we dont need private means of grace. He encourages us to scoff at things like prayer, Bible reading, and personal devotion times. Sometimes he tells us, Too hard! Sometimes he tells us, Too time consuming! Sometimes he tells us, Too boring! The remnants of sin in us cry out, I dont think these spiritual disciplines are necessary, to which Satan answers, Then dont do them.

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Satan tempts us to embrace all sorts of doctrinal errors. He undermines our confidence in the Bible as Gods error-free and sufficient Word. He applauds us when we think that we need only follow the dictates of our sense of right and wrong, regardless of whether or not our ideas agree with the Bible. He encourages us to think that we no longer need Gods laws and especially Gods Ten Commandments, and that merely following the Spirits leading is sufficient. He suggests to us that the Lord Jesus Christ is not really the resurrected Son of God, and therefore is not worthy of being followed in a self-sacrificial manner. He assures us that it is acceptable for sin to abound in our lives; grace will simply much more abound. These and a hundred other horrid opinions (to use Brookss phrase) hath caused wickedness to break in as a flood among us. Gods recipe for right living begins with right thinking. We are better equipped to thwart the Adversary when we are nourished by sound doctrine.

Satan persuades us to cultivate close friendships with ungodly peers. Even unbelievers know that bad company corrupts good morals. The Bible bristles with instructions to avoid close relationships with ungodly men. (See for example Proverbs 1:10-15, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, and 2 Thessalonians 3:6.) This is because negative peer pressure is not something that threatens only teenagers. The influences of non-Christian peers are often powerful temptations to sin. Brooks is blunt: Guilt or grief is all that good gracious souls get by conversing with wicked men. Of course, Christians are commanded to take the gospel to lost people. You cannot be salt and light in the world unless you are somewhat in contact with the world. Evangelism frequently necessitates bridge-building to non-Christians. Isolating oneself

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from the unsaved and shunning all contact with the lost prevents a believer from fulfilling the Great Commission. But who are your close friends? In whom do you confide? In whose company do you delight? To whom do you go for help? These peoplewho are close to your soulmust be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan frequently tempts believers through non-Christian friends. When a Christian forges a close relationship with an unsaved person, Satan effectively acquires an assistant. How many Christian men have failed to serve God because they have been diverted by recreations with their unbelieving friends! How many Christian women are unhappy because their unbelieving friends encouraged them to be discontented! How many Christian marriages have been damaged by infidelity because of the illicit seductions of friends! How many Christian teens have fallen into immoral behavior because they were pressured to do so by their unbelieving friends! How many believers have had their zeal for Christ dampened by various unequally yoked relationships! Far too many sad stories of sin begin like the sad story of sin in King Davids own family: But Amnon had a friend . . . (2 Samuel 13:3) When we can put a demonic face on temptations, they are somewhat easier to resist. When those temptations come from the smiling face of a friend, however, they seem more harmless. Ships must sometimes navigate dangerous rocks and coral reefs, but wise captains never make it a habit of lingering around dangerous places. Captains who deliberately and needlessly steer close to rocks and reefs are not called skillful; they are called reckless and foolish. The same is true of Christians. We cant evangelize the lost unless we know some lost people. But Satan encourages us to steer close to ungodly menand stay close to thembecause he knows it increases the chances of us making shipwreck of our faith. If Satan had his way,

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believers would be forever dealing with temptations that come via the hands of their human friends. Minister to lost men, show compassion to them, and take the gospel to them. But Brooks reminds us that we must also consider how Scripture characterizes lost men: they are (writes Brooks) scorpions, vipers, thorns, briars, thistles, and brambles. Beware that Satan will tempt you through them. oldiers who train on safe stateside military bases need not be vigilant. The enemy is miles away. There is no immediate danger to their lives. Their training exercises are controlled by friendly instructors. Soldiers on stateside military bases can complete their combat training in a lackadaisical manner and not suffer fatal consequences. Of course, the situation changes dramatically when the soldiers are deployed on the battlefield. Now there is an enemy nearby. Vigilance is necessary. No soldier expects the enemy to approach him in broad daylight and announce, I am the enemy. Ill give you a few moments to prepare, and then Ill attack. The soldier who cannot detect the enemys moves and respond to them quickly may pay for his mistake with his life. Every Christian is currently engaged in a spiritual war. Believers are not on the spiritual equivalent of a safe stateside military base; on the contrary, we are deployed and in the battle. The Enemy is nearby, and he is not merely a piece of correct doctrine. He is a roaring lion who prowls about, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). We confront this enemy daily, whether we realize it or not. Satan is currently using one or more of the devices described above to tempt us to sin. Vigilance is necessary. If we are ignorant of Satans devicesif he can tempt us without our even knowing we are facing demonic temptationthen we have little hope of resisting those temptations, avoiding sin, and perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

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Three steps are necessary if believers are to respond to temptation biblically. First, recognize that temptation is Satans handiwork and not just some subjective yearning inside you. You must cultivate the ability to unmask the Tempters lies and deceptions. Resisting temptation is the front line in Christian spiritual warfare: you are called to put on the full armor of God and show up for battle. When it comes to temptation, ignorance is disastrous. Second, reject the common belief that the devil makes you sin. The devil made me do it is a good advertising jingle but bad theology. Satan can only tempt; if you sin, it is because you choose to do so. The Christian need never surrender to Satan, regard him as omnipotent, nor treat his temptations as irresistible. When you resist the devil, he flees (James 4:7). There is no external power in the universe that can cause a rational being to sin, writes theologian John Murray. That movement, that decision, comes from within. Third, either flee temptation or fight against it when you have identified it. This is easier said than done. Denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Christ is never simple. No magic formula makes pursuing holiness easy. We can know all about Satans temptation devices and yet still choose to yield to temptation (and thereby sin). Rest assured, however, that God has provided all the resources necessary to enable you to resist temptation. The Son of God appeared for the purpose of destroying the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). God gives spiritual armor so that we can stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). The risen Christ is a sympathetic High Priest who comes to the aid of those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18, 4:15). No temptation is so powerful that we must yield to it; God always provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). When you make use of these resources by faith, you can resist the deviland he will flee from you (James 4:7).

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