Subtly requires a passage of time, of contemplation of a desired end, it must, in some way, also contain at least a portion of knowledge of the one that subtlety is to be directed towards.
We do not know Satan’s initial thoughts before iniquity was found in him, before his attempt to usurp the authority of the Almighty, but it did take enormous subtly to convince a third of the angles to follow him.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2nd Cor. 2:11)
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11)
Subtle words can be difficult to discern, for the one that speaks them to you will not only seem knowledgeable about the subject matter at hand, but will be quite persuasive in their offering of those words.
My friends, it is always wise to listen intently when someone is speaking to you about spiritual matters, for many silly women and men have been led astray who did not. Every single religious organization on this planet that does not teach that Jesus Christ is God, that God is the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit is the Lord Jesus Christ is lying to you. Anyone that believes that there is another way to the Kingdom of the Most High God besides through the Lord Jesus Christ is subtly attempting to deceive you.
“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” (1st Cor. 16:22)
Anathema means “to be accursed,” and it covers nearly eight billion people on this planet.
Except for the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, every piece of your armor is meant for protection, and that alone should tell you just how much protection we need relative to the attacks we are to make. While our sword can be used in a defensive manner, we are not to be on the defense continually, but we are also not to rush out swinging it wildly either.
Subtlety is not always an evil thing my friends.
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matt. 10:16)
My beautiful wife read a line for us tonight from a book, one that I will offer to you here. “The serpent’s eye is best in the body of the dove.” Our adversary goes about as a roaring lion seeking to devour men, if you do not have that eye, you will not see that wolf in sheep’s clothing, if you do not use the ears that the Lord has blessed you with to hear, you may fall into those subtle traps, and many men of God have done so without ever being aware of it.
Deception requires one to be subtle, and in this trait, Satan has no equal.
Without a firm foundation in the Word of God you cannot know the will of God, without the knowledge of the truths of the Scriptures revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, we stand a very good chance of falling into one of those traps. Why do you think there are so many religious organizations, so many churches probably just within a few miles of you?
You must study to show yourself approved, you must pray that the Lord will reveal His truths to you, or that subtle deception may begin to sound as truth to you.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1st John 4:1)
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jer. 17:5)
On your day of accounting, as well as mine, we will be shown our mistakes, we will be shown where we were deceived, where we stumbled. I pray your armor reflects the battles you have been in, that it is not shiny and bright when you get home.
