Without Warning

Written by

Christopher Mentzer

A friend of mine the other day checked out my website for the first time. He was sitting in a classroom just looking at the pages when he chose “The Devil’s Page”. Instantly he got quite a shock as the page came up and this loud and evil laugh emanated from the computer. Needless to say, quite a few heads turned in his direction and he felt a little uncomfortable about it.

He told me about the incident and suggested a warning before clicking on the page. I apologized to him for the embarrassment but also refused to use a warning. Satan himself doesn’t give a warning when he is going to attack. He’s viewed as a lion (1 Peter 5:8) and also as a serpent (Gen. 3:1). In fact in Genesis, the verse says this: “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made…” Subtlety is one of the few devices that Satan uses when he plans his attack (2 Cor. 2: 11). And when he attacks we are to rejoice, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations.” (Jas. 1: 2) This does sound strange when being tempted but here’s why. When you become a Christian you are no longer one of the Sons of Disobedience (Eph. 2: 2; 5:6; Col. 3:6), nor do you walk in darkness (1 Peter 2: 9). And because of this Satan makes an extra effort to tempt you to draw you back into the world of sin. If Satan already has you then it wouldn’t matter in tempting you because you are already his. That’s where the rejoicing comes in because he is paying more attention to you now that you are a Christian.

Of course you’ll have to work harder at resisting the temptations but with God on your side, who can stand against you? (Rom. 8:31) “Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (Jas. 4:7)

Also remember this, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) Two good statements are found in this verse. First, God limits the amount of temptation you can handle. This is shown very clearly in Job 1: 9-12 and 2: 4-6. It indicates that Satan’s power is limited to what God will or won’t allow him to do. Second, God always provides a way of escape from the temptation. Sometimes though we know what the escape route is, but chose not to take it thereby causing us to give into temptation.

Some may dispute that they did not see the escape route in time because Satan attacks without warning. But those who know the truth and understand the problem of temptation will make their escape in time. Even if to simply stop, close your eyes, and pray for wisdom (Jas. 1:5).

On the opposite side, we also know that Jesus will return without warning. Sure his arrival will be with a trumpet blast and a shout (1 Thess. 4: 16). But when the actual event will take place, we know not. Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only…Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.” (Matt. 24: 36, 42)

So without warning from either side, we must always be ready! One of the best ways to become ready is to study the Bible daily (Acts 17:11) and pray for one another. (Jas. 5:16)