Seven Snares of Satan

efore many of the saints dispersed from the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the year 2005, pastor Walter “Chick” McGill presented a message entitled “The Seven Snares of Satan,” in which he outlined seven of the most common attacks that are made upon the Christian.

These attacks do not come in the form of any supernatural opposition, or overt temptations, but much more subtly. The Scriptures tell us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” (Proverbs 18:21) and that from the same mouth may come “blessing and cursing.” (James 3:10) But the apostle who wrote these latter words quickly adds the thought, “My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

If the enemy of souls can take away our testimony, (the true words we are given to speak about the Savior and what He has done for us) Satan need never worry about us again. The people in the last days overcome the snares of the wicked one by means of these things: “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11) The blood of the Messiah was shed for all men, but not all men will be saved. To those who would grab hold of the grace offered, the instruction is given, “confess with thy mouth the Lord Yahshua, and […] believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead.” (Romans 10:9)

But too many, far too many, believe this verse to mean, “If you will pray a special prayer, and say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ that is all that is required for salvation.” But this is not what Paul teaches in Romans. The entire thought reads, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Yahshua, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9, 10) Now this agrees with the Gospel, for a heart that truly believes, and that consequently gives a true and earnest confession that Yahshua is Lord, this heart is one that is made new. The owner of that heart cannot but do righteous acts in accordance with his or her faith. (James 2:14-20)

Furthermore, a confession that Yahshua is Lord is not a one-time thing. It is a constantly repeated testimony. Our words and our actions after conversion must also give witness to the Gospel, that He has taken away our heart of stone, and given us a heart of flesh; (Ezekiel 36:26) that He has written His royal Law on that new heart, (Jeremiah 31:33) and that our tongue does not speak blessing and cursing, but blessings only. James informs us that, “the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)

This is not, however, the full picture. The Messiah completes the “good news” of freedom, for He says, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) We are told, “Whosoever shall confess that Yahshua is the Son of God, God dwelleth in Him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15) This is not a “once in a while” condition. Our dwelling in the Almighty is continuous, and our confession is likewise constant.

This article is an adaptation of the above-mentioned sermon. It is a list of the seven things Satan attempts to inspire from the lips of those who are seeking righteousness. They are seven things that should never be heard coming from the mouth of a child of the Almighty, for those who are born again have the “mind of Christ,” (1 Corinthians 2:16) and these phrases are designed to discourage, dismay, and ultimately destroy.

We have this promise, to which we are invited to hold fast, and which we will see again in the course of this work: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but Yahweh is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) Here are the snares, and the way of escape provided for us at infinite cost.

Snare #1: “I can’t.”

Translation: “I will not.”

Way of Escape:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7)

Conclusion: If we can truly do all things through Christ, and if we truly have those things that we ask of Him, whatever Yahweh desires us to do, He will also give us the power to accomplish. If we say, “I can’t,” of some genuine aspect of the Christian life, we are declaring that the above Scriptures are in error.

Snare #2: “I try.”

Translation: “I depend on self.”

Way of Escape:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Yah; not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

“I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“For that ye ought to say, ‘If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.’ But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.” (James 4:15, 16)

“God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Yahshua, whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.” (Colossians 1:27-29)

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Conclusion: If we are set upon a task by the Creator, He will work in us to accomplish that aim. We need not worry about our own talents and powers, and thus “trying,” is left out of the equation entirely. As Paul tells us of our own works, and the boasting that would result from self-reliance, “It is excluded.” (Romans 3:27)

Snare #3: “What if…”

Translation: “What if God fails?”

Way of Escape:

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but Yahweh is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24, 25)

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Yahshua throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Eph 3:20, 21)

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Yahshua the Christ, our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

“Behold my Servant, whom I uphold; mine Elect, in whom my soul delighteth. I have put my Spirit upon Him; He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth, and the isles shall wait for His law.” (Isaiah 42:1, 4)

Though the Isaiah passage speaks of Christ, these are true for us as well, as it is written, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Yahshua our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:2, 4)

And again, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee; thou hast holden me by my right hand.” (Psalm 73:23)

“O bless our Elohim, ye people, and make the voice of His praise to be heard.” (Psalm 66:8)

Conclusion: This temptation, like the others, focuses the eyes on the self, rather than Christ, for the ability to accomplish the works of godliness. If we truly believe that Yahweh is in control of the circumstances of our lives, and that even the “bad” things are allowed for specific purposes, what have we to fear? Rather, we should speak confidence about His ability to perform His good pleasure in us. We must never worry about Him failing us (nor us failing Him – He chose us for a reason) and “make the voice of His praise to be heard.”

Snare #4: “Yes, but…”

Translation: “I know more, and nobody understands me.”

Way of Escape:

From before: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but Yahweh is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

And: “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Yahshua the Christ, our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

New: “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” (Matthew 7:8-11)

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so Yahweh pitieth them that fear Him.” (Psalm 103:13)

“For all the promises of God in Him are ‘Yea,’ and in Him ‘Amen,’ unto the glory of God by us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Conclusion: Christ was tempted as are we all, and understands every obstacle placed in our way. In spite of this, the promises of Yahweh through Him are “Yea,” and “Amen,” for He is faithful to give us all things that we need – no “buts” about it.

Snare #5: “I’m only human.”

Translation: “I deny the divinity of Christ.”

Way of Escape:

As we saw before, “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:2, 4)

And, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

And, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7)

“Yahshua answered and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3)

“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of Yah, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Conclusion: We are told of the Messiah, “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8) Though He partook fully of our humanity, Christ was able to perform all that He was appointed to perform. So then we, who are invited to take hold of His divinity, are able to do no less. The Master told us, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12) All excuses based upon our “humanity,” therefore, constitute either a denial of the divinity in which we partake, or that such a union even exists.

Snare #6: “That’s just the way I am.”

Translation: “I exalt self.”

Way of Escape:

“And [Yahshua] said unto them, ‘Ye are from beneath, I am from above; ye are of this world, I am not of this world. And He that sent me is with me; the Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please Him.” (John 8:23, 29)

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14)

“But I know Him: for I am from Him, and He hath sent me.” (John 7:29)

“I can of mine own self do nothing; as I hear, I judge. And my judgment is just, because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)

“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Conclusion: If Yahweh chooses us, and sends us, then we are His representatives, and do not speak from our own authority. We have the power to cease from wrongdoing, and to become an entirely new creature. We may “learn to do well,” regardless of what we were, for we are now set free.

Snare #7: “I forgot.”

Translation: “I have an excuse based on the flesh.”

Way of Escape:

“I have set Yahweh always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 16:8)

“I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” (Psalm 119:16)

“For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.” (verse 83)

“I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.” (verse 93)

“My soul is continually in my hand, yet do I not forget thy law.” (verse 109)

“My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments.” (Proverbs 3:1)

“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to Yah continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15, 16)

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy Elohim, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6)

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” (Romans 8:9)

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

Conclusion: Yahweh does not just speak His law into our minds, where we may remember or forget based upon the workings of our finite minds. No, it is written that He has written this Law on our “hearts,” (Romans 2:15) our innermost places, so that it becomes a part of our essential beings. We cannot “forget” who we are any more than Yahweh can forget who He is. By faith, we will not forget, and we will walk after the Spirit rather than the flawed flesh of our physical forms. Thus will we triumph over every temptation, and every snare.

Final Comments:

In addition to the way of escape, Peter tells us that Yahweh has provided us with “exceeding great and precious promises.” (2 Peter 1:4) Our Father does not merely give us the means to evade temptation, but a way to conquer completely, and to triumph in all things. Some of these promises are as follows:

“Hear the right, O Yahweh; attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” (Psalm 17:1-5)

“O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments, for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way. “ (Psalm 119:97 – 104)

“I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)

“There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. I am Yahweh thy Elohim, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt; open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:9, 10)

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of Yah, and of Yahshua our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:2, 3) “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yah, and the faith of Yahshua.” (Revelation 14:12)