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TOPIC: Gordon, Samuel Dickey - Quiet Talks About the Tempter (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 099. The "How" of Detection
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The "How" of Detection
Then there's a second "how" of detection. There are certain Satanic ear-marks by which his presence can be detected. And with those I want to group certain contrasted marks of God's presence. First is this: the tempter always suggests doubt of God's love. The suggestion may come direct. Or, it may come so subtly that at first you don't think of it in that way. But as you notice keenly you find the practical effect is to make you hold back because of an element of doubt about God. In contrast with this, God's touch always brings a quiet, confiding sense of trust in Himself.
A second sure ear-mark is that his suggestion is always essentially selfish. It may not seem so on the surface. But if, when sifted down, it proves to be so, it may safely be put to the tempter's account. He is very subtle here. The suggestion to our Lord behind Peter's objection, behind the Greeks' request, and behind the bread-filled multitudes, was the same—namely, that so He could be saved from the suffering otherwise involved. In contrast with this, God's touch always gives a passion for Himself. And that passion pushes self clear out, so far as it may hinder God's plan.
A third ear-mark: the tempter is apt to be in a hurry. He may at times worry you by a slow, dragging process when that suits his purposes. But he is more likely to try to rush you off your feet with a sudden quick movement. He showed our Lord all the kingdoms of the world "in a moment of time." (Luk_4:5.) That may be conceded to be pretty swift work. He is fond of sudden moves and of rushing tactics. The serpent's voice in Eden kept egging Eve on to action. In contrast with this, note that God never moves in a hurry. He may move swiftly, but never hurriedly nor hastily. There's a quiet steady on-moving when He is guiding.
Close up to that comes this fourth ear-mark: the tempter's suggestions are apt to make one feverish. This is a sure test for ambitious plans. Any trace or taint of fever produced is a pretty sure indication of the tempter's presence. In sharp contrast with this, God's touch always makes us quiet and clear and deliberate. Our Master's touch still has the same power and effect as when He touched the hand of Peter's wife's mother; the fever leaves.
A fifth ear-mark: the tempter is fond of flattering you. There was the touch of flattery in the Wilderness suggestion that our Lord make bread out of the stones. He could make bread out of stones, had He been so led. Such a reminder of one's power has the touch of flattery in it. This is a sure ear-mark. It never fails to tell his presence. In contrast with this, note that the Holy Spirit never flatters. He may lead us to recognize properly what strength we have, or what gifts we have been entrusted with. But with that is always the reminding sense that these are from God, and are to be used as a trust, and farther that they are not used up to their best possible limit save as they are played upon, and permeated by His Spirit.
Then the tempter has rare power of producing a sense of fear. He makes us afraid. We hold back because of a sense of dread. Much has already been said of this. The fear that is afraid is a sure index finger pointing to the unseen tempter or one of his subs. Contrasted with this is the fact, just as sure, that God's touch and voice bring a sense of quiet confidence in Him. His presence recognized brings a touch of awe, always, but never of fear. When He speaks we are willing to undertake the impossible, to dare and to endure, with equal confidence in the outcome.
Another unfailing ear-mark of the tempter's presence is a sense of depression, either mental or of spirit. There may be much depression of this sort due to over-tired nerves. And then, simple food, fresh air, enough sleep and exercise, and the grip of a strong purpose, will play a big part in straightening out. But depression is one of the sure ear-marks of the tempter's attack, especially with earnest, godly people. But when God's presence has sweep there is peace and joy. These are characteristic of Him. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...." (Gal_5:22.)
The last ear-mark to be spoken of here is one that should be noted keenly, and emphasized much. The tempter is fond of extremes. He pushes things out of their right relations. A right thing pushed out of its right place is quite apt to become a wrong thing. He likes the pendulum swing, first this extreme, then the very opposite. Truth out of right relation becomes error. Truth is fact held in right relation with the whole circle of related truth. The great theological controversies that have split the Church of Christ up so sorely have been largely due to an undue emphasis upon some phase of truth, pushed out of its due relation to other truth. And they have usually been settled by the same sort of undue emphasis. The creeds of Christendom bear witness to this.
The precious Cross of Christ through which we are saved can be degenerated into a mere superstitious fetish. The blessed teaching of our Lord's second coming can be pushed to the extreme of calendar making, and of white-robed people waiting up all night on the top of some hill. And so the sweet truth itself is brought into contempt. Error is flashy and spectacular and erratic. Truth loves the quiet Quaker garb and speech. In contrast with this, it is worthy of special emphasis that the Holy Spirit is a spirit of sanity. No one is so poised and sane in his judgment and actions as the man who is swayed by the Spirit of God.
These are some of the ear-marks by which the tempter's suggestion may be tested. Yet, remember, we are not to be going about eyeing suspiciously everybody we meet. Let us quietly, steadily go on the way the Master points out for us, with our face ever turned toward His, our hearts ever in tune with His own, and our hands stretched out in glad, warm service among the needy. And the Master will guide us safely past snares as we keep close to Him, and push on in His way.