Dan Matthew runs a superlative Sunday School class every week, most often reading and studying the sermons of a truly great minister, Charles Spurgeon. It is often very revealing that what Spurgeon speaks on in the 1850s is still so appropriate for us today. Many times his sermons seem even more appropriate as our country drifts farther from Christ.

 

This Sunday we started a new sermon Spurgeon delivered on the text of Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.” Yes, we are taking a look at Satan.

 

At the evening service last night, we were privileged to hear Pastor Headley preach on Romans 12:1-2 in which Paul tells the Corinthians “do not be conformed to this world.” Do you suppose that many of us have become conformed in our thinking and belief about the devil? The world, if it acknowledges him at all, depicts Satan in caricature – all red with pointed ears and tail. By reducing him to a cartoon, they imply that he is only a fantasy; that he does not exist. Sadly, many, many churches today support this practice by never teaching or discussing him. (Praise God that we are members of a church that does.) Do you suppose this serves his purpose admirably? Can he not more easily attack us if we don’t believe he even exists?

 

As Spurgeon notes and scripture tells us, Satan was created an angel – a very powerful and high-ranking one. All angels are powerful; their intelligence greatly exceeds ours (especially as we continue to degrade over time from the curse on all creation). Satan, though fallen, did not lose this powerful intelligence. He employs it continuously in his hatred of us.

 

Spurgeon discusses two things about the devil: 1) his craft and subtlety and how he attacks our souls, and (still to come) 2) the wisdom and means to combat him. This past Sunday we learned of Satan’s great subtlety and cunning. He hates us and uses all his guile and craft and intelligence to bring about our downfall. As Spurgeon says: “Methinks it would be a sufficient reason that Satan should be cunning because he is malicious; for malice is of all things the most productive of cunning. When a man is determined on revenge, it is strange how cunning he is to find out opportunities to vent his spite.”

 

And why does Satan hate us? This was discussed in class, but the bottom line is because, being created in God’s image, we got what he wanted, and he hates us for that.

 

So why discuss Satan at all? We know that the three areas of temptation are the world, our fleshly lusts, and Satan, and the first two we undoubtedly deal with much more often than the latter. But that does not mean he does not exist and that we should not be knowledgeable and prepared to defend ourselves. Spurgeon points out that he has gained vast experience since his first dealing with man in the Garden. He uses this experience to “read” us and tempt us at our weakest point. As Spurgeon says: “Ah! Sons of men, while you are putting on your helmets, he is seeking to thrust his fiery sword into your heart; or while you are looking well to your breastplate, he is lifting up his battleaxe to split your skull…” Beware and be aware.

 

Though you may have never read or studied Spurgeon, if you are a member of SGBC and attend service regularly, I doubt I have said anything new here. So why do I write? Simply this: to encourage you in your/our fight against the world, the flesh and, yes, the devil, but with a particular point in mind.

 

I have not researched what Spurgeon’s recommendations and wisdom will be to thwart the devil in his attacks on our soul. I could go to the Internet and read ahead but I prefer to wait for Dan’s next Sunday School class. There is something much better about being in fellowship while studying rather than playing the solitary game.