subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is
in Christ.
Satan is a real entity; who the Bible describes him to be, he is. He is who he is. Outside of the Lord we have the most dealings with him. Because of God's grace and goodness we have God's undivided attention; unfortunately we have Satan's undivided attention as well.
It is the desire of the human heart to live. God made that possible and made it simple. Nothing is more simple than the means of salvation. However, Satan doesn't want you to know it really is that simple AND THAT IT WORKS.
Satan goes to great lengths and uses subtle, beguiling ways to make life hard. He has not been able to rest or take a break from it. If he does, he loses ground. The Bible says he runs to and fro seeking whom he may devour. He wears himself out to keep us from the simplicity of salvation and the privilege of knowing eternal life. The devil is not on top of things; he is scrambling because he knows time is short; he's working overtime.
SIMPLICITY PREVAILS OVER SUBTILTY. The Bible says it's so simple that a fool cannot err therein. The simplicity of God always prevails over any efforts of the powers of darkness. The way God has put this together makes the devil run. The Corinthians saw the devil so big and Christianity so small. Paul told them the simpleness of the cross and trusting in Jesus to forgive them banished the power of the devil.
Will the devil let up? No. If he does, he may have you. The fact that he has not let up shows he knows it is a simple matter to have the forgiveness of God. It is a sign of hope. The devil works all week and is determined to hurt no matter what it takes. Believe Jesus anyway!
Here is the simplicity. It is not in church; it is not in being baptized; it is not being a good person. The only work guaranteed for your soul is when God's son cried out "it is finished." The last nail in God's plan was driven. We can prevail over the energy of Satan, his lies, his deceit, and his harmful manner. He may persecute you, make you feel guilty, sweet talk you, tell you that you do not need Jesus and then turn around and stab you in the back. If you buy into this the devil can lead you around anywhere he wants.
The devil tries one thing and then another–depression, makes you feel bad, flattery, popularity. Not God. Gods shows us ONE way, ONE truth, ONE word of God that defines
creation, the spiritual and moral stands, and fashioned the plan of
salvation for us. It is by ONE person; God hasn't turned it around. ONE God, ONE way,ONE plan of salvation. He has not changed his tactics at all.
The devil's ways are like the story of the tortoise and the hare. He wears himself down while Jesus remains steady. Simplicity ALWAYS prevails over subtilty. The hare is the devil and tells you Christianity is not fast enough; Jesus can't really save; the cross is too simple. Don't open the door of your heart. It can't be that simple. Quit listening to the devil. Have victory over whatever Satan throws at you.
As a 17-year old my life was complex. The devil tried to keep my mind occupied by the "good times." But on March 5, 1972 I stepped out and as soon as I did the complexity was left behind. The devil tried to stop me, but I chose to believe in the simpleness of God's love. He gave his son. Jesus loved me enough to die for my sins. I believed that and asked Jesus to save me. It was as simple as that. The Lord answers in simplicity as well. When you come to a certain point you realize "yeah, it is that simple."
Paul told the Corinthians that the devil had trampled them long enough and for them to hold on and believe and trust God. Are you trusting or are you believing the lies of Satan? Turn your back on the devil and turn it over to the Lord–turn your heart, your soul, and your mind along with the complexities of your life–the problems, the pressures, the despair, the doubt–SIMPLY TRUST JESUS. Are you tired of being beaten down by the devil? If you call. God will answer. The devil will take flight. Just simply come and trust.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 