How Does the Devil Work? GOD wants us to know!

Every activity of the devil is for the one purpose of frustrating the Gospel of Christ. “The god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,” says Paul, “lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, should shine unto them.”2 Corinthians 4:4.

All his plans, all his deceptions, all his falsehoods, are for the one great purpose of depriving men of the blessings and light of the Gospel. He works in many ways to do this.

If ever the Gospel of Jesus were needed, it is today. Yet at no time have its foundations been more vigorously assailed. This is the devil’s work. As Paul with prophetic foresight surveyed conditions today, he warned:
”The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”2 Timothy 4:3.

Even stronger language is used of these “fables” which shall supplant the truth of the Gospel in the last days, for Paul elsewhere calls them “doctrines of devils.” He describes also a condition in which many no longer listen to God, but give “heed to seducing spirits.”1
Timothy 4:1.

These “doctrines of devils” are actually counterfeits of the doctrines of God, possessing, as
counterfeits usually do, an outward appearance of genuineness. There is no Bible teaching which has not been denied, and for which an attractive perversion has not been prepared. Of course, Satan depends on human agents to teach his errors, the kind of instructors whom many in the world, according to Paul, will “heap unto themselves.”

Isaiah had cause to complain of them in his day, and pronounced a woe upon
them. (Isaiah 5:20.) The effect of all Satan’s delusions is to deaden our sense of sin, to encourage a state of spiritual slumber, to misrepresent God, His law, and His ultimate intentions, and to unfit us for the great day of Christ’s return.

So a loving God gives the following warnings in His Word:
“Regard not them which have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards.” Leviticus 19:31.
And again:
“There shall not be found among you anyone that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consultant with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord.” Deuteronomy 18:942.

The Bible foresaw that in the last days the spirits of devils working miracles would go forth
among the nations, “to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16:14.

One way whereby these evil angels will achieve their purpose, will be-as in the past-by appearing as familiar spirits. Examples of leading men-like Hitler who had his own private medium-who have resorted to the spirits for advice, are by no means scarce.

God’s inspired advice is: “When they tell you to consult mediums and ghosts that cheep and gibber in low murmurs, ask them if a nation should not rather consult its God. Say ‘ Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult the Message and the Counsel of God! ‘ “Isaiah 8:19, 20 (Moffatt).

Satan and his host are engaged in a vast conspiracy of evil for our overthrow. But God is on our side. And the holy angels are on our side. They are anxious to see us safely through to the eternal joys which lie just ahead of us. If we trust in God, even the most deceptive devices of Satan will prove unavailing.