Walking with the Wise #2: Subtle Seduction

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”—Proverbs 1:10

Satan always tries to be like Jesus. He wants to be God, so he tries to do what God does. And just like Jesus is a fisher of men, so is Satan. But his bait is decidedly different. While the bait of Jesus is eternal life and forgiveness of sin, Satan baits the hook of the world with the fallen desires of our flesh. And while Jesus desires believers to be unified by love in the bond of peace, Satan desires that man be united in rebellion against God. Satan pulls out all the stops to get people to sin. He will do anything and everything to entice us. He has no code of conduct, no sympathy, no scruples, and no conscience. He will do the lowest of the low in order to get man to turn against his Maker. If the person will not be swayed by brazen, flagrant temptations, then he will go with subtle seduction.

Subtle seduction is the most despicable of tactics in Satan’s arsenal whereby, among other things, he uses a man’s friends and family against him. He will try and make sin look attractive—fun, carefree, without consequences, and, if he can—normal. If he can make sin look perfectly normal, then man is more likely to accept it, to do it, and to get others to do it. We are far too easily deceived.

As believers in Jesus, we must be on guard against Satan’s tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11), remembering that he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”—1 Peter 5:8. We must follow the example of the Lord Jesus when Satan was tempting Him by quoting Scripture, and by equipping ourselves with the full armor of God in order that we might stand against his schemes (Ephesians 6:10-18). Take to heart the words of James, that if we resist Satan, he will flee from us (James 4:7). And remember that God has promised a way out so that we don’t have to sin:

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”—1 Corinthians 10:13.

God has made a way for us to resist! He has given His Son as an example for us, who broke the power of sin and death over us. He has given us His Word to apply to our hearts so that we might know how to live, and He has given us His Spirit, which gives us self-control and helps us say “no” to sin and “yes” to godliness.

My brother or sister, don’t give in to the devil’s lies! If your friends or family attempt to entice you to sin, don’t listen to their pleas, petitions, and promises. Stay true to the Word of God and resist the devil’s subtle seductions. You can resist! God has promised, and He never goes back on His promises—they will always prove to be true! Amen.