The Devil Getting the Advantage

First Corinthians chapter two and verse eight speaks of Satan getting an advantage of us. There are two important words for consideration in the verse. First is the word “advantage”. This word means “to be covetous, i.e. (by implication) to over reach” thus, get an advantage, defraud, make a gain.” The other word is “devices”. The word devices denotes “a perception, i.e. purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, device, mind thought”. By understanding the devil’s disposition or his way of thinking, one is more adequate to comprehend the tactics utilized to get the upper hand or advantage of us. Being misinformed or uninformed results in our being ill prepared and vulnerable to his pursuits. In the evil one’s attack upon us he uses three basic avenues, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). A study of the scriptures are quite enlightening regarding Satan’s efforts.The case of Adam and Eve is recorded in Genesis chapter three. All things have been created and God views the creation as very good (Genesis 1:31). Having been created and abundantly blessed of God Adam and Eve are approached by that old serpent the devil (Revelation 12:9). In his approach he appeals to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life. Note Genesis 3:6 “good for food” (lust of the flesh), “pleasant to look upon” (lust of the eye), and “a tree desired to make on wise” (pride of life) Eve ate of the prohibited fruit.

The case of Cain is recorded in Genesis four. Cain and Abel were brothers, but the wicked one was able to inflict unequaled misery upon that family. When Cain’s offering was rejected and Abel’s accepted because it was offered by faith, Satan went to work. Cain developed jealousy, anger, pride and resentment, which lead to the murder of his faultless brother.

The case of Saul is recorded in 1 Samuel chapter fifteen. Saul was sent by the Lord to destroy the Amalekites. “Now go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” Saul disobeyed the Lord (verse eleven). The devil convinced Saul that sparing a few was the right thing to do, but the result was disobedience. Saul’s pride was his downfall.

The case of David is recorded in 2 Samuel chapter eleven. In this text the lust of the flesh and the eye was utilized. He was on his housetop when he saw a married woman by the name of Bath-Sheba bathing. It wasn’t that David didn’t know what he was doing, for in verse three he was told she was another man’s wife. In verse four it says he took her and lay with her. To cover his criminal act he cunningly6 had Uriah (her husband) slain. The devil will seek to keep pulling one down until they see no hope of recovery. Only after Nathan the prophet confronted David did he repent. One can read of his remorse in Psalms chapter fifty- one.

Judas and his fall was recorded in Matthew chapter twenty-six, Mark chapter fourteen, Luke chapter twenty-two and John chapter eighteen. In this text materialism was used. Judas betrayed the Lord, Jesus Christ, for thirty pieces of silver. Judas’ love for money was his ruin. (Note 1 Timothy 6:10).

Another case at hand is Demas, 2 Timothy chapter four, verse ten. The world (pleasures of the world) was the destruction of Demas.

These are a few examples of how the devil seeks to get the advantage of us. The sad fact is he is far too successful.

Bill Cantrell

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