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Deal With Devil
Devil
A materialist is one who
does not believe in demons and has no interest in what they do. A magician is
one who believes too much in demons and has an unhealthy interest in them. As
for the demons
they care not which you are
for both are equally in error and
thus leave you open to their efforts. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Devil’s
Effect on Christians
While on a trip to the zoo
one day
a boy and his father saw a huge lion. The lion was prowling around his
enclosure and letting out chilling roars. The boy became very frightened and
screamed in terror
but his father remained calm and unafraid. Why? The boy was
frightened because he saw only the lion
while the father was unafraid because
he saw the cage enclosing the lion.
The Christian’s view of
Satan should be like that of the father rather than that of the boy
for our
fierce enemy is like a caged lion. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Devil’s
Effect on Christians
In some ways the devil is
like the villain in the old melodramas. Remember how the plot always develops?
The heroine seems to be doomed
and the villain always appears to have the
upper hand as he twirls his mustache and rubs his hands together. But at the
critical moment the rescuing hero arrives and the plot line changes. The
villain is beaten
his scheme fails
and he slinks off the stage muttering
“Curses! Foiled again!”
Of course that is exactly
what happens to the devil when a Christian is willing to stand firm
fully
outfitted in the armor God has provided (Eph. 6:10~17). ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Devil’s
Effect on Christians
An artist carved a woodcut
titled “The Knight
the Devil
and Death.” The woodcut pictures a gallant
knight riding his stallion down a path in the middle of the night. Alongside
the path are many creatures and monsters that seem to want to devour the
knight. But they can gain no advantage over him because his eyes are on his
home; he cannot be bothered.
Likewise
as long as we
keep our eyes on Christ
we will not be devoured by Satan
though he is eagerly
awaiting a moment when he might distract us and cause us to sin. ── Michael P.
Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Devil’s
Fall
In his classic work 《Paradise Lost》
John
Milton describes the fall of Satan from heaven with his host of rebel angels.
He depicts this as a great war lasting three days. The first two days of the
cataclysm are waged solely between Satan and his demons and the unfallen angels
under the Archangel Michael. On the third day
the Father sends the Son in
glorious power to do single-handed combat with all the demonic host. The
following is a brief excerpt from the scene:
“Satan still in bright
array
ye Saints; here stand
Ye angels armed; this day
from battle rest…
Therefore to me their doom
he hath assigned
That they may have their
wish
to try with me
In battle which the
stronger proves…”
So spake the Son
and into
terror changed
His countenance
to severe
to be beheld
And full of wrath bent on
his enemies…
They
astonished
all
resistance lost
All courage; down their
idle weapons dropt…
And of the wonted vigour
left them drained
Exhausted
spiritless
afflicted
fallen.
Yet half his strength he
put not forth…
── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》