There will be many times and in many ways that Satan and his demons will come and tempt you or cause you to become offended. He will worm his way in unknowingly and whisper deceitful things to tempt you. Some may be obvious, but mostly they will be crafty, slay, and manipulative. You won’t even know it is him.
Remember this, if not anything else. The Devil is a liar. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” He will use your sinful ways, desires, weaknesses, and past to cause you to fall into his schemes. So resist him firm in your faith and walk in the Spirit of the Lord as the guard over your mind, mouth, and deeds.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9
The Devil is so crafty; he has been at this for thousands of years, knowing exactly how to cause mankind to fall. The Devil knows every sin you have committed. After all, he is the accuser of the brethren. So please do not fall victim to his traps.
He will even take your sin and project it upon others, offending your heart, thinking they have sinned when it is from your guilt. For example, you may have superimposed your attitude in a comment or think they are lying because you tend to lie. But they did not commit that sin at all, or not in the way you perceived it. Therefore, that offense comes from you and not them.
In this way, you fell victim to the Devil’s trap, and your sinful ways deceived you. He tricked you into believing a lie, and you became offended by the innocent. An offense can come from actual sin or perceived sin. They are both Satan’s bait, and we often fall into his trap. This deception is why you must keep watch of yourself, your sins, and not others. You are responsible for yourself.
What causes quarrels, and what causes fights among you? Is it not this that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us”? James 4:1-5
The Devil will even use Scripture mixed with lies to entice you. To try to cause you to fall victim to his lies. The Devil is a liar, and that is all he can do. Not only is he lying, but his promises also fall flat. He doesn’t even possess what he promises or care if you get it. Take Jesus as your example and cast the traps of the Devil far from you by using the truth of God’s Word as your foundation.
Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command His angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands, they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him. Matthew 4:5-11
Remember, the purpose of the Word of God is to teach you the truth and convict you of sin. To cut deep into our sinful nature so that it may be rooted out, God can heal the wound and pain it caused in your life. Open your eyes and heart to the Lord so that you may recognize your sin so God can remove it.
To search the Word of God is not to point the finger at others but to point the finger at yourself. God desires to remove those thoughts, words, and behaviors that displease Him so that you may be more like Him. Just like a father, He wants to discipline those He loves, His children.
Let us, therefore, strive to enter that rest so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:11-13
Examine your own heart and ways as you examine and read the Word of God to know what is right and wrong. Jesus is the Word of instruction and the Bread of Life. He will give you sustenance for your body, spirit, and soul. Ask the Lord to reveal any wrong or grievous ways in you so you may see the root that causes your sin.
Then fall before the Lord in repentance, turning from your sins, and ask the Lord to do a work in your heart, mind, and soul and change your ways. It takes determination, work, and humility. But this is God’s greatest desire: to humble yourself, turn to Him, and turn from your sin and offense. Instead, turn to the one who made you and desired to save your soul from sin and death, Jesus.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24
The Soul Sower 