2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. I. TO DRAW THE BELIEVER INTO SIN. 1. He takes advantage of his peculiar temperament. Does he see David inclining to pride and vain confidence, he tempts him to number the people, well knowing the judgment that would follow (2 Chronicles 21:1). Did Satan behold in Peter the fear of man? He instigates a maid to accuse him of being a follower of Christ, and thereby causes him to deny his Lord. Did he see in Lot too much leaning to the world? He takes advantage of it to make him linger in Sodom. Just so now. Satan knows our besetments. It may be irritability of temper, or over-sensitiveness, taking offence quickly at the slightest cause, or spiritual pride, or too much clinging to the world, etc. Of all these he takes advantage. 2. He chooses fitting instruments. He employed Eve to seduce Adam, and Job's wife to tempt the patriarch to "curse God and die." He will tempt a parent to do wrong in order to gratify the caprices of a favourite child; he will tempt a child to act contrary to the dictates of his conscience through fear of disobeying a:parent; he will tempt a Christian to wound his conscience rather than offend another on whose support he may entirely depend. 3. He presents the same temptation under different forms. This was the device which he employed against the Saviour. He tempted Him personally and then by Peter. Foiled in his designs upon us he departs, but only until a feeling of security has stolen over us, then he creeps back again more wilily than ever. II. TO KEEP BELIEVERS IN A SORROWFUL AND DOUBTING STATE. He does so — 1. By making them look at their sins instead of away from them to Christ. 2. By inclining them to misinterpret God's providential dealings. 3. By making them confound faith with assurance. III. TO KEEP BELIEVERS FROM HOLY DUTIES. He does so — 1. By presenting the world in a false light. 2. By suggesting a multitude of vain thoughts. 3. By striving to make, them content with a low state of religion, instead of seeking higher degrees of personal holiness, "growing in grace," etc. (A. W. Snape, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.WEB: that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes. |
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