“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” (1st Cor. 3:19)
We are commanded to not be wise in the ways of the world, not to emulate that which we know is against the will of God, but we are also to adhere to the first part of Proverbs 21:12.
“The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked.”
What purpose does it serve if a man studies to be a carpenter, but never applies any of that knowledge in his life? As of today, I can offer only one explanation for doing so, when the carpenter shows up to do some work for you, you have a basic knowledge of what he is talking about.
We are to adhere to Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” To study to show ourselves approved, and to walk humbly with the Lord, this we do first, but recall as well here 2nd Corinthians 2:11.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
How?
By studying our enemy, by being attentive to his ways and those who follow him, which include the wicked of this world.
What you do not know can hurt you badly my friends.
One of the best examples that would include both studying the ways of our enemy and praying for Spiritual discernment is found in the understanding of the deceiving nature of religious institutions that profess that grace is not enough to save us, that works are required by us before the free gift of salvation will be offered.
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:9)
I have found over the decades that those who will not apply both of these truths in their life, in their walk with Christ, rarely are able to stand firmly when the storm approaches, and that storm may come as subtly as a conversation with one who adheres to the tenets of one of those cults. They are usually left looking for an answer to their statements concerning their beliefs, and far too often, because they have not studied the ways of those in the organizations that deny not only the sufficiency of the sacrifice of our Savior, but any number of other deceitful lies, what they will do is simply agree to disagree.
Never do that.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2nd Cor. 6:14)
Every aspect that you need to know about our adversary and the wicked can be found in the Scriptures, and men of God who have come before us have written extensively on this subject, because they were shown the truth of those silly women, those who are like the waves of the sea, those who could be beguiled and bewitched because they would not study their enemy.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8)
Your enemies will not wait for you to become competent in this area, subtlety is their craft, lies are their ways, and deception while seemingly being polite will cause those who have not studied and also prayed for Spiritual discernment to be trapped by them.
There are millions of so-called churches that attest to those truths.
The words Satan first spoke to Eve are still in use by him today, they work, so there is no need to modify them. If you do not study your enemy, your enemy will have an advantage over you.
Do the research, what cults are prevalent in the area you live in, Romanism, Mormonism, Existentialists, look around, what do you need to do to be prepared for those seemingly innocuous and sometimes polite conversations that attempt to sway you from the truths of the Word of God.
You didn’t think your armor was just because of Satan, did you?
