1 Thessalonians 3:5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you…
‘Some means’ – satan has innumerable means and many millenniums of experience and cannot be overcome by argument, pleading mercy, or any other dealings with him. He must be rejected and resisted, and all relationships cut off from him (Jas. 4:7; 1Pet. 5:8-9; Eph. 6:10-18; 2Cor. 10:4-7). The devil will take advantage of every failure of the Christian using it to get into his life and cause his downfall (1Cor. 10:13; 1Pet. 5:8-9; Eph. 6:10-18). In this case, satan could lead the despairing one into apostasy and hell, or believers into undue severity and hardness of heart toward guilty members, working untold harm to the cause of Christ.
‘The tempter’ – satan is not an evil principle, an error of the mortal mind, an abstract power, or a being with hoofs, horns, and tail, holding a pitchfork and presiding over a lake of fire and the realm of the dead. What he is: He is a real person (1Chron. 21:1; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Ps. 109:6; Zech. 3:1-2; 1Pet. 5:8-9; Rev. 12:7-12). Jesus dealt with him as with a person (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). Jesus waged war on satan as on a person (Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38; 1Jn. 3:8). Christ taught that satan was a real person (Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:7-12; 13:1-4; 20:1-10). The apostles fought with satan as with a real person (Eph. 6:10-18; 1Thess. 2:18; 1Pet. 5:8-9). The apostles warned men against a personal devil (Eph. 4:27; 6:11; Jas. 4:7; 1Pet. 5:8-9). Personal singular pronouns are used of satan (Matt. 4:7-11; 12:26; Luke 11:18). Personal statements are made to him (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Zech. 3:1-2; Matt. 4:1-10; Jude 1:9). Personal conversation is carried on with him (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Isa. 14:12-14; Matt. 4:1-10; Jude 1:9). Personal descriptions are given of him (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17).
To be continued…
Living the Word 