Christian Life continues the study of Satan’s attacks on believers with three further methods: pride, worry, and an unforgiving spirit. Prior lessons covered lying, discouragement, and doubt. Satan’s attacks differ from the lust of the flesh. Fleshly temptation appeals to desire and emotion. Satan supplies a line of reasoning, often unpleasant, built on fear, logic, or a distorted estimate of oneself.
Pride is traced to Satan’s own fall. Ezekiel 28 addresses the king of Tyre and the anointed covering cherub, perfect in his ways from the day he was created until iniquity was found in him. His heart was lifted up because of his beauty, and he corrupted his wisdom by reason of his brightness. Isaiah 14 records his aim to make himself equal with God. He is the supreme example of an inaccurate opinion of himself.
Three Greek terms mark different shades of this attitude. Tuphoō pictures a person wrapped in obscuring smoke, unable to perceive himself accurately. First Timothy 3:6 warns that a novice must not be made a bishop, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the judgment of the devil. The line of reasoning is that rapid promotion proves unusual ability. The text speaks of judgment from the devil, not the same condemnation as the devil. First Timothy 6 places the same pride among those who reject wholesome words and the teaching according to godliness, dote on questions and strifes of words, and suppose that gain is godliness. From such, withdraw. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
First John 2:16 uses alazoneia, the vainglory or pride of life. It is not mere truthful boasting. It oversells and misrepresents physical life. Love of the world and love of the Father cannot occupy the same decision-making. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are of the world, and the world is passing away. Second Timothy 3:1–5 lists lovers of self and money, boasters (alazones), the arrogant (huperēphanoi), and the high-minded who have been puffed up, having a form of godliness while denying its power. Huperēphania is arrogance that places oneself over others. James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 state that God resists the arrogant and gives grace to the humble. James 4:13–16 calls plans made without “if the Lord wills” evil vainglory. An accurate opinion of oneself leaves little for Satan or the world system to sell under the claim that a person deserves what is offered.
Worry is merimna, concern or anxiety, a word also used of proper care. First Peter 5:6–9 joins humility with casting all care upon God, because it matters to Him concerning you, then with sobriety and vigilance. The devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast by the faith. The same afflictions are accomplished in the brethren. Ephesians 6 likewise ends the armor with prayer for others under the same attack. Philippians 4:6–7 commands anxiety for nothing, and in everything, by worship, supplication after thanksgiving, that requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus. The promise is not that the trouble immediately ends. Satan presses the reasoning that this should not be happening. What is given is peace and the certainty that God will carry the believer through. First Corinthians 12:25 uses the same word for members having the same care for one another. Concern is not to be sat on. It is taken to the Lord, or Satan makes use of it.
An unforgiving spirit is the third opening. Ephesians 4:31–32 puts away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice, and calls believers to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave them. Colossians 3 teaches the same. First Corinthians 5 records open fornication, a man having his father’s wife, while the assembly was puffed up rather than mourning. Paul required that the wicked person be put away, distinguishing judgment inside the assembly from God’s judgment of those outside. The aim of withdrawn fellowship is that the person stop being carnal. Second Corinthians 2 shows the assembly then going too far the other way. Paul urges forgiveness and comfort, lest the man be swallowed up with too much sorrow, and confirmation of love toward him. Forgiveness is in the person of Christ, lest Satan gain an advantage, for believers are not ignorant of his devices. Satan supplies reasons to withhold fellowship after repentance: past failure, personal offense, or fear for reputation. Spiritual believers are to have fellowship with one another.
