Required reading
A treatise on Satan's temptations by Richard Gilpin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 17.
My summary
Now Gilpin wants to take notice of the methods of the serpent against the ways of worship and service.
Firstly Gilpin sets forth the grounds of Satan's displeasure:
(i) he deprives us of our weapons;
(ii) he intercepts our food and cuts of our provisions;
(iii) there is no design whereby Satan can shew more malice and spite against God;
(iv) he seldom or never misses at least something of success;
(v) he puts us under the greatest hazards and disadvantages.
Secondly Gilpin outlines how Satan opposes our duties and services to God:
(i) by prevention;
(ii) by corruption.
(Note: this week Gilpin only deals with their prevention)
What grabbed me
I appreciated this point: 'First, He sets before them the toil and burden of duty. If a man sets his face toward heaven, thus he endeavours to scare him off: Is not, saith he, the way of religion a dull, melancholy way? Is it not a toil— a tedious task ? Are not these unreasonable injunctions: 'Pray continually,' 'Pray without ceasing,' 'Preach in season and out of season"? This suggestion, though it be expressly contrary to command, yet being so suitable to the idle and sluggish tempers of men, they are the more apt to take notice of it, and accordingly they seek ways and shifts of accommodating the command to their inclinations. '
The last thing Satan would have us do is delight in God's decrees
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 18.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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