Posted on 06/04/2011 12:49:35 AM PDT by bibletruth
The Apostle Paul warned the early Christians to beware of “Satan’s devices”:
2 Corinthians 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
The Apostle Paul warned the early Christians to beware of “Satan’s devices”:
2 Corinthians 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Sad to say, most of today’s Christians (especially in the Western world) are unaware of the numerous “devices” that the devil has contrived and employed to keep the lost from getting saved and to keep the saved (born again child of God) from serving God “according to the truth” [Galatians 2:14].
After searching the Scriptures, there is ample evidence of warnings regarding the “devices” which Satan employs. But first, let's start with a dictionary definition:
DEVICE, n. L. 1. That which is formed by design, or invented; scheme; artificial contrivance; stratagem; project; sometimes in a good sense; more generally in a bad sense, as artifices are usually employed for bad purposes.
In a good sense:
His device is against Babylon, to destroy it. Jeremiah 51.
In a bad sense:
He disappointeth the devices of the crafty. Job 5.
They imagined a mischievous device. Psalm 212.
There are a great many of Satan’s “devices” in use today. All Cults; False Religions; False Prophets; False Teachers; and Heretics employ “devices” (schemes; artificial contrivances; and artifices) which are specifically designed to bewilder, baffle, confuse, and confound people.
Satan's devices today result in the following complications that either bewilder, confuse, or confound people:
In order to convince people to accept Satan’s perverse “devices” all Cults and False Religions (and all False Prophets; False Teachers; and Heretics) use special “KEYS” to explain away the Holy Scriptures. {For this reason – all genuine Bible believers must be extremely cautious of the numerous so-called “Bible Commentators”.}
The Apostle Paul (in his Epistles) left us a general description of some of the “devices” that Christians should beware of and it behooves us to learn about these things and to look for them in all of the commandments, ordinances, and teachings of men (secular or religious).
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
2 Timothy 4:3 For 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; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
According to the Apostle Paul Christians are to BEWARE of:
PHILOSOPHY (i.e. ALL Philosophies - including Psychiatry & Psychology); the TRADITION of men and the RUDIMENTS of the world (i.e. the elements & essentials of a culture); FABLES (i.e. imaginary tales); DOCTRINES of devils & men (i.e. ALL FALSE DOCTRINE contrary to the Holy Scriptures); and SCIENCE – FALSELY SO CALLED (i.e. Humanistic: Biological Evolution; Geological Origins & Cosmology, etc.).
In addition to all of the above, we must also be extremely careful of FALSE Prophets, FALSE Teachers, and FALSE brethren who may be “wolves” in sheep’s’ clothing:
Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Bible believing Christians should have very little difficulty discerning the obvious errors and false doctrines contained within the world’s Philosophies and Religions and also within the numerous so-called “Christian” CULTS (those outside of mainstream Christianity), but it is much more difficult to discern error and false doctrine within mainstream (i.e. “Fundamentalist” & “Evangelical”) Christian circles, which is one of the reasons why the Lord has commanded us to STUDY “the word of truth”:
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The following is a list of some of the many so-called “Christian” CULTS that have arisen since 1600, and in peculiar a connection that America has the majority of them. In addition, I will also list some of the False Teachings, False Doctrines, or Heresies that have been embraced by some people within the “Fundamentalist” and “Evangelical” movements. To save time and space I will not list the world’s major Philosophies and Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Mohammedanism, etc.) that are clearly contrary to the Holy Scriptures, since all genuine Bible believing Christians reject all of them.
The following is a list of some of the major Cults founded since approximately 1600 A.D.
DATE LOCATION CULT NAME FOUNDER
1600-1800 EUROPE UNITARIANISM Humanistic University System
1700-1900 U.S.A. UNITARIANISM Humanistic University System
1823–1831 U.S.A. MORMONISM Joseph Smith
Brigham Young
1832 U.S.A. CAMPBELLISM Alexander Campbell
{Church of Christ}
1844-1846 U.S.A. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISM William Miller & Hiram Edson
Ellen G. White
1864-1875 U.S.A. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Phineas T. Quimby
Mary Baker Glover Patterson Eddy
1879 U.S.A. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Charles Taze Russell
1894 U.S.A. UNITY Phineas T. Quimby
Charles & Myrtle Fillmore
1908 U.S.A. MORAL RE-ARMAMENT Frank Daniel Buchman
1931-1934 U.S.A. ARMSTRONGISM Herbert W. & Garner Ted Armstrong
1932 U.S.A. RELIGIOUS SCIENCE Ernest Holmes
In addition there were a few other cults that were somewhat popular at one time and may still have a small following: SWEDENBORGIANISM {1792 – Emmanuel Swedenborg: Sweden}; BRITISH ISRAELISM {1794 – Richard Brothers: England & Howard B. Rand: U.S.A. }; and CHRISTADELPHIANISM {1844 – John Thomas: Born in England moved to the U.S.A.}.
Did you notice that of the thirteen (13) Cults identifying themselves with Christianity that nine (9) of them originated in the U.S.A.; and three (3) others either moved to the U.S.A. or were embraced by people in the U.S.A.? Or to put it another way – ALL of the larger and more successful CULTS (that are still going strong today) began in the U.S.A.! {69% of the major Cults originated in the U.S.A.; and if you add the three others that either moved here or were embraced by some people in the U.S.A. - over 90% of the major (“Christian”) Cults have enjoyed a following in the U.S.A., and many of them still do today! “Freedom of religion” and religious “Tolerance” is a two-edged sword and has a price!}
Of all of the major Cults either spawned by or embraced by Americans (Unitarianism; Mormonism; Campbellism; Seventh Day Adventism; Christian Science; and Jehovah’s Witnesses) the most influential in the lives of ordinary Americans has been Christ-less Humanistic Unitarianism, although it is probably the least known of the five Cults.
While Mormonism, Campbellism; Seventh Day Adventism, Christian Science, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses have a great deal of influence and control over their adherents, their impact on Americans in general (and the U.S.A. as a country) has been minimal. On the other hand, Christ-less Humanistic Unitarianism infiltrated the major “Christian” Universities (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Union Theological, etc.) and gradually took control of the faculties and administrations of these “Christian centers of learning” and through subterfuge and deceit changed their Final Authority from the Scriptures to Humanistic reasoning.
This change in focus (from God to man) produced Christ-less Humanistic “pastors”, who in turn produced Christ-less Humanistic congregations (dead orthodox churches), which in turn produced Christ-less Humanistic leaders throughout the whole of society (in all fields of endeavor - government, education, business, etc.).
This gradual leavening of “Christendom” in New England led to the Unitarian Horace Mann (1796-1859) to convince the Massachusetts Legislature to embrace the Humanistic Prussian (German) Militaristic model school system in the State of Massachusetts with the institution of the very first “compulsory attendance” (read - compulsory government schooling) laws in the U.S.A. (1852), which spread quickly throughout Humanist New England and then to other parts of the country – but not in the South.
This Humanistic influence led to the radical abolitionist movement in New England and other parts of the Northern U.S.A., which eventually precipitated the War Between the States (i.e. the Civil War); which precipitated the eventual loss of the individual State’s “States Rights”, and the strengthening of the Federal Government to the point where (today) all of our rights as individual Americans (especially those of us who are Christians) are now in Jeopardy!
Now can you see why I say that of all of Satan’s “devices”, HUMANISM is the foremost and perhaps the most influential of all? I believe that HUMANISM (with all of its attendant “ISM’S”) has become the “unofficial” Religion of the U.S.A. and all of the rest of the Western world.
So-far, only those Cults that are obviously outside of “mainstream” Christianity have been pointed out – there still remains the FALSE DOCTRINES & FALSE TEACHERS {the HERESIES & HERETICS} that appear to be “mainstream” (i.e. profess to believe the so-called “Fundamentals of the faith”), but upon close examination either ADD to the finished work of Christ upon the Cross or twist & wrest the Holy Scriptures in order to make disciples after themselves and exercise authority over God’s children.
There is so much corruption within the so-called “Fundamentalist” and “Evangelical” movements today that it is practically impossible to find a church that will simply stand for and upon the Holy word of God; or that will contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints; or that will preach and teach the Holy words of God – in season and out of season! It’s no wonder that there is so much confusion, chaos, and anarchy within the body of Christ today – most Christians have NO FINAL AUTHORITY in their lives and so “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” [Judges 21:25]
Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Without a “KING” in the Israelites’ lives they did as they pleased. Without a “FINAL AUTHORITY” in the lives of Christians today they have no guide to show them “the way, the truth, and the life” [John 14:6] and so its – every man (and woman) for him or her self: “but every man did that which was right in his own eyes” as Christians embrace “every wind of doctrine” that comes their way and seek out False Prophets; False Teachers; and Heretics to “lead” them in the way.
Since the Apostle Paul cautioned Christians in his day to: “watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” [Acts 20:31] I will now list some of Satan’s “devices” that can be found within the so-called “Fundamentalist” and “Evangelical” movements – knowing ahead of time that it is impossible to list all of the error, false doctrine and heresy that exists within many of the churches that identify themselves as such. A list of Satan’s “devices” employed by some of these churches is presented in, what I believe to be, their order of importance. I may be wrong as to their order of importance; and I may miss some of Satan’s “devices”, but Bible believing Christians must become aware of these “devices” or else they will fall for some of them.
Peculiar to the United States:
If we Christians fail to study the word of truth, and if we neglect to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, we will eventually fall for one (or more) of Satan’s “devices” - since most of his “devices” are perverse distortions of some Biblical precept or principal. [Psalms 33:4; 119:11; Romans 8:1-4, 14; Galatians 5:16-25]
Let the reader note: what is written here is NOT Heretical; on the contrary, it is a Biblical warning. Those who are under such “devices” will devise false claims to you that this Biblical warning is heretical. On the contrary: inquire of them to point out/prove with Scripture where these Bible warnings are incorrect. Beware: do not allow false claims against GOD or His Ambassadors; Paul warns: turn away from them [Romans 16:17].
Does it include rock music?
I was thinking ipods. Or anything Apple.
Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
Titus 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Generally speaking: A Heretic tends to be more “religious” or “spiritual” in his (or her) outlook and emphasis; while an Apostate tends be more “worldly”, “earthly”, “carnal”, or “Humanistic” in his (or her) outlook and emphasis. A Heretic is more apt to be a “wolf” in sheep’s clothing working within a Bible believing church, while an Apostate is more apt to be a false “prophet”, “apostle” or “teacher”; and a “deceitful worker” working outside of Bible believing churches. Heretics are far more dangerous because they are much more difficult to detect.
“Let the reader note: what is written here is NOT Heretical; on the contrary, it is a Biblical warning.”
I suppose you’re glad to be in that “mainstream”, that broad path? Where does that lead?
Paul was born in Tarsus, which was under Roman rule, to Jewish parents from the tribe of Benjamin. Therefore he was a Roman citizen by birth. He spoke fluently in both Hebrew & Greek as he was educated by the best of the best as Tarsus was the most prominent city for higher education.
Acts 22:3
3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
Paul preached to both Gentile & Jew, but he mostly preached to the Jews as there were no Christian churches during his time. Only synagogues which welcomed the Gentiles in the hear the word of God with great enthusiasm. There were however many pagan temples for sacrifice that have been misconstrued as churches. Paul tried using philosophy to woe in pagan Gentiles, but soon learned the error of his ways and quit using that approach.
1 Corinthians 1:17-23 My mission from Mashiach was
not to baptize, but to tell the Good News; not, however,
in the language of philosophy, lest the cross of the
Mashiach should be robbed of its meaning. The Message
of the Cross is indeed mere folly to those who are in the
path to Ruin, but to us who are in the path of Salvation it
is the very power of God. For Scripture says-’I will bring
the philosophy of the philosophers to nought, and the
shrewdness of the shrewd I will make of no account.’
Where is the Philosopher? Where is the Teacher of the
Law? Where is the Disputant of to-day? Has not God
shown the world's philosophy to be folly? For since the
world, in God's wisdom, did not by its philosophy learn
to know God, God saw fit, by the ‘folly’ of our
proclamation, to save those who believe in Mashiach!
While Jews ask for miraculous signs, and Greeks study
philosophy, We are proclaiming Mashiach crucified!-to
the Jews an obstacle, to the Gentiles mere folly,
Well, first you say the magic words then you name and claim your Pink Cadillac and ride down the Freeway of Love. Just put it on cruise control, kick back, and enjoy having your itching ears scratched by the rocking tunes of, "Sola Yourslefa" as you race towards your mansion in the burbs of gold.
Rather, let us see Christ's own Words as He described every major religious way to salvation known on the planet:
Matthew 7:13: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Matthew 7:14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
So from these Words of Christ, are we to take His warning lightly: or are we to take the preaching of another gospels seriously? If Christ is against the "many", that would indicate that there are in fact many ways/broad ways to salvation. Christ Jesus said this so that we can measure and observe it. And upon observing, it is evident from the many religious systems, or sadly in some cases, the denominations, that Christ Jesus is serious about weeding out the the false prophets, false doctrines, wolves, etc.
Since "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life", what would you expect to find on the "many" ways to heaven? All leading to Christ? No. If Christ said that there would be few that find it, that would indicate that there is an approach to measure and observe those systems which do not follow the strait gate. But what would do you find today: all religious systems agreeing with each other on the strait gate? and all agreeing on the narrow path? Absolutely not. Christ warned us that in this world, many would wax cold and teach false doctrine: that is why He made that warning in Matthew 7. We must heed His warning; and all the more, even as Christ directed Paul to sternly warn about these same dangers. Are we to take these warnings lightly? No.
On the contrary, what armament does Christ provide to us in order to measure and observe the consequences of not following the strait and narrow path:
Matthew 7:16: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:17: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:18: A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:19: Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 7:20: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Well, it is obvious from an abundance of evil fruit from cults and religious systems that Christ is talking about these kind of groups. If Christ Jesus describes a method to measure by observing their fruit; aught not we thus measure by it? Yes.
Furthermore, what does Christ say regarding the consequences of not following the strait and narrow path (Christ's warnings of evil fruit producers):
Matthew 7:21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Rather, let us see Christ's own Words as He described every major religious way to salvation known on the planet:
Matthew 7:13: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Matthew 7:14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
So from these Words of Christ, are we to take His warning lightly: or are we to take the preaching of another gospels seriously? If Christ is against the "many", that would indicate that there are in fact many ways/broad ways to salvation. Christ Jesus said this so that we can measure and observe it. And upon observing, it is evident from the many religious systems, or sadly in some cases, the denominations, that Christ Jesus is serious about weeding out the the false prophets, false doctrines, wolves, etc.
Since "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life", what would you expect to find on the "many" ways to heaven? All leading to Christ? No. If Christ said that there would be few that find it, that would indicate that there is an approach to measure and observe those systems which do not follow the strait gate. But what would do you find today: all religious systems agreeing with each other on the strait gate? and all agreeing on the narrow path? Absolutely not. Christ warned us that in this world, many would wax cold and teach false doctrine: that is why He made that warning in Matthew 7. We must heed His warning; and all the more, even as Christ directed Paul to sternly warn about these same dangers. Are we to take these warnings lightly? No.
On the contrary, what armament does Christ provide to us in order to measure and observe the consequences of not following the strait and narrow path:
Matthew 7:16: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:17: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:18: A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:19: Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 7:20: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Well, it is obvious from an abundance of evil fruit from cults and religious systems that Christ is talking about these kind of groups. If Christ Jesus describes a method to measure by observing their fruit; aught not we thus measure by it? Yes.
Furthermore, what does Christ say regarding the consequences of not following the strait and narrow path (Christ's warnings of evil fruit producers):
Matthew 7:21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Psalms 21:11: For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
Satan’s devices today result in the following complications that either bewilder, confuse, or confound people:
1. Distract from and obscure the truth of God’s words
2. Cast doubt on God’s words
3. Complicate the simplicity that is in Christ
4. Mislead, and draw people away from God and from His holy word
5. Convince and persuade people to accept fraudulent artifices (i.e. LIES) as “truth”
6. Sway people to follow men instead of God
**************************************************************************************
I would actually think that the second one should be considered the first, the primary methodology Satan uses; casting doubt on God’s word.
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
I was thinking 2 and 3 should be merged and promoted to number 1.
That verse in Genesis reveals the danger of not knowing God’s word well enough and not using it as the sole point of authority.
It was only one verse, for goodness sake. You’d think that they could have memorized one verse correctly.
Instead they added to the Scripture they were given.
it's quite funny to read this post by bbtut of all folks.
Satan's devices include trying to glorify one translation of the bible (the KJV) above all to the extent of calling the NIV as satanic
Satan's devices include using man's logic to say that the God of the OT is separate from the God of the NT and that the OT, Gospels etc. are not for Christians.
Not really. They always pretend to be among the few who know the truth and loudly proclaim that everyone not privy to their special insights is in error. Since Luther, of course, they claim to have the correct understanding of the Bible while others do not. They pretend, in other words, to be the arbiters of Biblical truth. That and the fact that heretics always claim that their own understanding and is superior to several thousand years of study and teaching by the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church shows heretics for what they are every time.
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