Tools of Dissension
Satan has many tools at his disposal. Chief among them is the trait he is best known for, lying. He is called the "father of all lies", a quite appropriate caricature. That is his most notorious and powerful weapon. As Children of the Most High GOD, he can not directly attack us, but he can deceive us. Too often we fall for his lies and run off in all directions. He doesn't only use this tactic against us, however. Even against his own, the lost children of wrath, he continually uses lies and deceptions to manipulate and control them. It is what he is. The truth is not in him.
Satan is a subtle enemy, with dark genius. He knows the Word, and can quote scripture far better than we. He knows the old adage, perhaps he invented it, that the best deception is the truth. He uses the truth, the very Word of GOD, and, with the hand of a master, twists it to say whatever he desires. He used that dark art in the Garden of Eden, and Eve graciously played along. He even tried to use it in the wilderness of Judah against Jesus. Three times he quoted Scripture perfectly, while insinuating a wrong conclusion, but three times Jesus corrected him. Only Jesus, as the WORD made flesh, could stand toe to toe with the master deceiver. Only total, complete, perfect knowledge, could dispel the lies.
Satan knew defeat that day, but like a wounded animal, it only made him more dangerous. He knew the Scripture, he knew that day would come. He had spent four thousand years trying to hide it from the world. But it was plain in the ancient text, the Prophets had proclaimed it over and over. Still he deceived the wise. Christ was crucified. But that too was foretold and in GOD's perfect plan.
Satan continued his schemes, slowly, meticulously, hiding the truth in lies and deceptions. He caused the Church to fracture, then again, and again, over and over, until it was shattered into a thousand broken shards. Through tiny twists and revision, he turned brother against Christian brother. But still the Church remains, though it is as a thousand pieces of broken glass, the Holy Spirit holds it together. A thousand colorful pieces, woven into a mosaic, like a living frame of stained glass.
Satan knows he has but a short time. He knows the Prophecies better than we. He is like a cornered animal, wounded and enraged. Before him stands the tapestry we call Christianity, and still he seeks to destroy. Our only refuge is in that which binds us together, the Holy Spirit and the WORD. Our division is our weakness, and our strength. We are diverse, and in that diversity we can be, as Paul said, "all things, to all people, that some might be saved", but we must cling to the One Spirit that holds us together.
Satan seeks to highlight our differences and use them as leverage to pry us from the Spirits binding. He desires to see us fall, broken fragments to be trodden under foot. We must stand together as brothers, soldiers under one LORD. We must cling to the Spirit of Truth, given to us on Calvary, the Love of GOD manifest. The Children of Obedience must rise, as One Body clothed in the Holy Armor of GOD, wielding the Sword of the Spirit which is the WORD of GOD.
COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE !!! Turn from the teachings of men and hear the voice of the WORD. Hear the One Voice, the True Voice, follow the Good Shepherd. "My sheep know me and they hear My voice". The Holy Spirit does not speak one word to the Presbyterian and another to the Catholic. There is one WORD. We are One Body, though diverse members of that Body. But there is One Head, Jesus Christ. If the hands make war on the feet, the whole body suffers. But if the hand is lifted in praise should not the arm also rejoice?
We are bound together in common service to the Lord of Hosts. That which creates schism is in service of the enemy. Wolves stalk among the flock and goats graze with the herd. The enemy seeks to deceive all who will listen, he seeks to turn the truth we receive from the Spirit and the Word into a stumbling block. Let not the Hand despise the Tongue, nor the Eye despise the Foot. Let us be the Children of Obedience, bond slaves to our Lord. Working together in the fields of our GOD. The harvest has begun, work while there is yet time. The day comes quickly when none shall work and we shall rest from our labors.