Understand the enemy. God appointed Satan a seat of authority. He left. He is the chief of the devils, and in that he has been granted some temporary authority, but not the same authority as before. (2:11, 4:4; Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Chronicles 21:1; 2 Samuel 24:1; Job 1:6-16, 2:1-7; Zechariah 3:1-2; Matthew 4:1-11, 12:24; John 12:31, 13:30; Ephesians 2:2; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 5:8) He is an apostate angel, assuming the appearance of an angel. So, his followers seek authority and are sometimes granted it.
- Satan’s False Power: He can assume whatever aspect he pleases. He can dissemble, and appear to be eminently pious. He is the prince of duplicity as well as of wickedness; and it is the consummation of bad power for an individual to be able to assume any character which he pleases.
- Satan’s False Art: He is long practiced in deceitful arts. For thousands of years he has been practicing the art of delusion; and with him it is perfect.
- Satan’s False Piety: We are not to suppose that all that appears to be piety is piety. Some of the most plausible appearances of piety are assumed by Satan and his ministers. None ever professed a profounder regard for the authority of God than Satan did when he tempted the Savior, Jesus Christ. And if the prince of wickedness can appear to be an angel of light, we are not to be surprised if those who have the blackest hearts appear to be men of most eminent piety.
- Satan’s False Tongue: We should be on our guard. We should not listen to suggestions merely because they appear to come from a pious man, nor because they seem to be prompted by a regard to the will of God. We may be always sure that if we are to be tempted, it will be by someone having a great appearance of virtue and religion.
- Satan’s False Holiness: We are not to expect that Satan will appear to man to be as bad as he is. He hardly ever shows himself openly to be a spirit of pure wickedness; or dark and abominable in his character; or full of evil, and hateful. He would thus defeat himself. It is for this reason that wicked men do not believe that there is such a being as Satan. Though continually under his influence, and “led captive by him at his will,” yet they neither see him nor the chains which lead them, nor are they willing to believe in the existence of the one or the other.
