Satan, the bible tells us is our adversary, and he has different ways by which he opposes us, chief of which are the following:
1. Remain in the world
"And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God IN THE LAND" Exodus 8:25
Satan is like saying to the Christian, you can be a Christian, but
don't be a straight and narrow one. Stay on the broadway. This way,
those who are deceived by him are fully conformed with the world, loving
the world, and pleasing the world. Such people pose no threat to the
kingdom of darkness. These are assimilated Christians.
2. Next, satan says, don't take this Christianity of a thing too far.
"And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only YE SHALL NOT GO VERY FAR AWAY: entreat for me."Exodus 8:28
Have ever heard someone say to you, "Don't carry this Jesus thing on
your head"? This is the devil speaking through such a person. Satan
hates for you to be fully committed to the cause of God, therefore, he
will try to keep you from seeking God with all your life. He knows that
when he succeeds in persuading a person to take it easy with God, he
equally succeeds in keeping them glued to the things of this world. Such
people will speak like the world, think like the world, and live like
the world.
3. Keep your substance from God.
"And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only LET YOUR FLOCKS AND YOUR HERDS BE STAYED: let your little ones also go with you." Exodus 10:24
Satan does not mind those who come to God without their substance, in fact, this is his objective when he succeeds in persuading a person not to be generous toward God. Such people serve God with your lips only. All the debate about supporting the gospel financially comes from Satan. The greedy, so called ministers of the gospel are servants of Satan in sheep's clothing. Every financial abuse in the church is actually aimed at the true cause of the gospel. This is Satan's ploy that is not often recognised.
Toni
