Instruments of Satan

Satan has so many devices by which he seeks to distract anyone from God. He is constantly trying to make up new distractions by which he can lead people astray. What exactly are the instruments of Satan?
In this article I am going to cover some of the things that can be and are used by Satan as distractions.

Books & Stories

The world is deluged with books that might better be consumed than circulated. Books on sensational topics, published and circulated as a money-making scheme, might better never be read by the youth. There is a satanic fascination in such books. . . . {AH 412.3}

The practice of story reading is one of the means employed by Satan to destroy souls. It produces a false, unhealthy excitement, fevers the imagination, unfits the mind for usefulness, and disqualifies it for any spiritual exercise. It weans the soul from prayer and from the love of spiritual things. {Adventist Home p.412}

This is a very effective method through which Satan has had a lot of success already. Far too many people are drawn in by exciting stories, novels, and lots more. This is a very dangerous ground because it is very addictive. Once you have started reading these type of books other – more sensible – books lose their attraction for us. Even the Bible will begin to seem boring or uninteresting. Because the Bible and the testimonies will seem dull, we will find it very hard to realize where we have gone wrong because we will no longer be reading anything that might be beneficial to us. Another thing connected with reading that doesn’t do any good is speed-reading, (see Adventist Home p.451) If speed-reading is made a habit – and it will if it is done often- it makes us almost incapable of reading slower, and properly absorbing what we have read. I used to speed-read very often and I know how quickly it is possible to make a habit of it. And it is quite hard to slow down to a normal speed. I have managed to slow down my reading but still find it hard at times to stay that way.

Theatres

Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater. Instead of being a school for morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence as the desire for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theatre, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement. {Adventist Home p.516)

Dancing & Card Playing and More…

In many religious families dancing and card playing are made a parlor pastime. It is urged that these are quiet home amusements, which may be safely enjoyed under the parental eye. But a love for these exciting pleasures is thus cultivated, and that which was considered harmless at home will not long be regarded dangerous abroad. It is yet to be ascertained that there is any good to be obtained from these amusements. They do not give vigor to the body nor rest to the mind. They do not implant in the soul one virtuous or holy sentiment. On the contrary, they destroy all relish for serious thought and for religious services. It is true that there is a wide contrast between the better class of select parties and the promiscuous and degraded assemblies of the low dance house. Yet all are steps in the path of dissipation. {AH 516.3}

Satan has invented many ways in which to squander the means which God has given. Card playing, betting, gambling, horse racing, and theatrical performances are all of his own inventing, and he has led men to carry forward these amusements as zealously as though they were winning for themselves the precious boon of eternal life. Men lay out immense sums in following these forbidden pleasures; and the result is, their God-given power, which has been purchased by the blood of the Son of God, is degraded and corrupted. The physical, moral, and mental powers which are given to men of God, and which belong to Christ, are zealously used in serving Satan, and in turning men from righteousness and holiness. {Counsels on Stewardship p.134}

There are many more devices of Satan than we are even aware of. He will use anything at all that will serve to distract us from the word of God. Reading, Theatres, Card Playing, Gambling, and worldly music are just a few of the main tools that he uses for his evil work. Anything that will not serve to bring us closer to Christ should be examined very carefully.

A spirit of jesting and joking, of lightness and trifling, is not only a stumbling-block to sinners, but a worse stumbling-block to those who thus give way to the inclination of an unsanctified heart. The fact that some have allowed this trait to develop and strengthen until jesting is as natural as their breath, does not lessen its evil effects. When any one can point to one trifling word spoken by our Lord, or to any lightness seen in his character, he may feel that lightness and jesting are excusable in himself. This spirit is unchristian; for to be a Christian is to be Christ-like. Jesus is a perfect pattern, and we must imitate his example. A Christian is the highest type of man, a representative of Christ. {Gospel Workers 1892 edition p.416}

It was by deception that Satan seduced angels; thus he has in all ages carried forward his work among men, and he will continue this policy to the last. Should he openly profess to be warring against God and His law, men would beware; but he disguises himself, and mixes truth with error. The most dangerous falsehoods are those that are mingled with truth. It is thus that errors are received that captivate and ruin the soul. By this means Satan carries the world with him. But a day is coming when his triumph will be forever ended. {Patriarchs and Prophets p.338}

Satan has a lot of experience in deceiving people. He has been doing it for 6000 years. He knows every trick and trap that is possible to imagine. He knows full well that if he would bring bold and unconcealed temptations men would soon see through his cunning devices, and would not fall for anything he has devised. But he mixes lots of truth with a little error and so deceives billions. Let us hope and pray that we will have the wisdom to notice his temptations, and the strength of character to withstand them.
Amen