2Tim.2:25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

[26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Throughout time, in war itself, man has always taken captive the enemy who surrenders, and he is usually called a ‘prisoner of war.’ And we are to understand that we too are in a battle with the Adversary whether we know it or not. We are taught in Ephesians chapter 6 that we “wrestle against” Satan and his devices, and “wiles” against us, and in 2^nd Timothy chapter 2 we are taught that God desires ‘soldiers’ who “warreth” with Him against Satan and this evil world. And as we can see in the verses above, the devil desires to take captive the Saints of God to deceive those who are unaware of Satan’s wiles against them. And also unaware that they are even engaged in battle with Satan, and when this is the case, they are an easy target for him, and will be “taken captive by him at his will.” And they could actually willingly enter into the trap of the adversary, and not as they are surrendering to the enemy, but that they are enlisting in the fight with the enemy of God whether they know it or not.

2Cor.2:11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

1Tim.5:14] I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

[15] For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Furthermore, we should not be “ignorant of his devices,” and when this is the case, it is as if we are willingly volunteering to be “caught” in his “snare,” and as Paul says, these are “those that oppose themselves.” And it is hard to imagine that anyone would be their own worst enemy, and oppose themselves, but this is how Paul views the Saint who are walking according to this world, and not according to the power and Word of God which will give him the ‘salvation’ from Satan’s captivity. And the Saint could unknowingly ‘sign up’ to be Satan’s captive by “giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils .”

1Tim.4:1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Eph.6:11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph.6:16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Moreover, many might not think that a Pope, Pastor, or Bible teacher could be also taken captive by Satan’s wiles, but this is where the “divisions and offences contrary” to the truth comes from. And that is because man has ‘fell for,’ or have willingly ‘walk right into’ the devil’s trap. And by their “devices,” they too work together with the one who has taken them captive. And as Paul says in the verses below, the Man of God could end up being caught in Satan’s snare, and instead of laboring together with God as the office of a Bishop is designed to function, they could in turn work together with the devil as the prisoner of war who now had fallen victim to the enemy of God. But it is given unto them who are able to discern Satan’s devices the Armour of God, and this Power protects the faithful Saints from the fiery darts of Satan, and against Satan’s many devices to capture the faithful in his snare.

1Tim.3:5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

[6] Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

[7] Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

And so, our Father has provided for us the “Light of the glorious gospel of Christ” to give us “acknowledging of the truth.” But we must understand that our being a living sacrifice is key to not being “blinded” by Satan’s wiles, and being caught in his snare. And what separates them who are caught in the snare of the devil and those who are not blinded? The discernment of knowing that Satan’s plan concerns our flesh, and the things of this world that we can see, and also all the things that we love of this world that are ‘near and dear’ to us. Satan has devices, and wiles that cater to what we are ‘looking for’ concerning our lusts, and these doctrines of devils have an appearance of godliness all about it, but it will only concern your outward man, and his fulfillment of the flesh. But the “Light of the glorious gospel of Christ” ALWAYS concerns our inward man ONLY. And as we can see in the verses below, the “Excellency of the power of God” is designed to work effectually within our inward man, and this is where the Power of God is shown, but we ought to view His Word as the “Treasure in earthen vessels” that it is, and be not ignorant of the “fiery darts of the wicked,” and unaware of Satan’s snare designed to capture us as his prisoners.

2Cor.4:3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

[7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Rod Jones