Tricks that Satan may use, to harm the Church.

By John Chopores

 

 Trick 1. Lack of forgiveness. Cf.. 2 Cor. 2:10  Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,

 11  to keep Satan from gaining the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

 Answer. Be like Jesus, really to forgive quickly. Cf. Luke 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

 Psalms 86:5  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

 Luke 6:37 ¶ Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

 

 

Trick 2. Bitterness.  Cf.. Hebrews 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Answer. To put it away, early. Cf. Ephesians 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Ecclesiastes 7:9  Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Proverbs 14:17 ¶ He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Proverbs 16:32 ¶ He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Proverbs 29:22 ¶ An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

 

Trick 3. Lack of caring. Cf. Gal.6: 1 ¶ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

2  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [NKJV].

Answer. Do as Christ would do! Go the extra mile! Cf. Matthew 5:41  "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.[NKJV].

 

Trick 4.  Pride. Cf. Gal. 6: 3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Answer. Think about our selves, with a level head! Cf. Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.[NKJV].

2 Corinthians 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,[NKJV].

 

Trick 5. Each person wanting everything his/her own way! Cf. Gal. 5: 26  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.[NKJV].

1 Corinthians 3:7  So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

 

Answer. Know that the Lord God wants His Church to work together!

Cf. Galatians 5:15  But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another![NKJV].

1 Peter 5:5 ¶ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."[NKJV].