February 7

Everything transacted in heaven or hell passes through Christ's hands. The Son knows all the Father knows, and He is ready to reveal to His saints all they need to know in this life (John 15:15). We live in days of high political intrigue. Only the few who stand on the upper end of the world understand the mysteries of state; the rest of us know little more than what we read in the newspaper. It is the same with regard to the plots which Satan is furtively weaving against the souls of men. Only a few have an inkling as to the purpose of Satan's designs against them. These are the saints, to whom God's Spirit reveals not only what He has prepared for them in heaven but also the warp and woof of Satan's deadly schemes here on earth.

Know your heart. Be intimately acquainted with yourself, and you will better know Satan's design against you. He takes his method of tempting from the inclination he finds there. As a general walks about the city and views it well, then directs his assault where he has the greatest advantage, so Satan surrounds and considers the Christian in every part before he tempts.

Read God's Word attentively. It gives a history of the most remarkable battles between the great soldiers of Christ and their adversary Satan. You can read how Satan has foiled them, and how they recovered lost ground. There is not a lust of which you are in danger, but you have it disclosed; there is not a temptation which the Word of God does not arm you against. It is reported that a certain man planned to poison Martin Luther, but Luther was forewarned by a faithful friend who sent him a picture of the would-be murderer. The Bible shows you, Christian, the faces of those lusts which Satan hires to destroy your precious soul. "By them is thy servant warned" (Psalm 19:11).

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