Thomas Brooks (1608–1680) — (In Modern English)
Dear believers in our precious Lord,
There are four things every Christian should carefully study:
Christ
The Scriptures
Your own heart
Satan’s devices and temptations
If people neglect these things, they will not live safely in this world or happily in the next.
As a Christian—and especially as a watchman and pastor—it is my duty to help people understand:
the fullness and greatness of Christ,
the emptiness of this world and all created things,
and the dangerous traps of Satan, the great deceiver.
Satan once lived in light and glory, but he fell from heaven because of sin. He fell from happiness into misery, from being an angel into becoming the devil. Because he is full of hatred and envy, he works tirelessly to drag others down into eternal ruin with him.
He uses all his power, wisdom, and cunning to lead people into sin and condemnation.
Because sin already lives in our hearts, Satan finds it easy to tempt us. He barely needs to push before we begin to agree with him. He shows people the beauty, pleasure, riches, and glory of the world, and many quickly bow down to his temptations.
Satan studies every person carefully. He tempts people according to their weaknesses and desires.
If a person is proud, Satan feeds that pride. David became proud of his nation, and Satan tempted him to number the people so that his pride would grow even greater (2 Samuel 24).
If a person is fearful, Satan uses fear against them. Peter became afraid and denied Christ to protect himself (Matthew 26:69–75).
If people love flattery, Satan will use lying words to destroy them. Ahab’s prophets falsely encouraged him until he was ruined (1 Kings 22).
If a person loves money, Satan will tempt them as he tempted Judas to betray Christ for silver (John 13:2).
If someone loves dishonest gain, Satan will encourage lying, as he did with Ananias when he lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3).
Satan always “sails with the wind.” He fits his temptations to a person’s condition and personality.
If people are prosperous, he tempts them to forget God (Proverbs 30:9).
If they suffer, he tempts them to distrust God.
If their knowledge is weak, he fills their minds with wrong thoughts about God.
If their conscience is tender, he drives them into unhealthy fear and constant self-condemnation.
If their conscience is careless, he persuades them that they are spiritually safe when they are not.
If they are bold, he tempts them to presumption and overconfidence.
If they are fearful, he tempts them toward despair.
If they are unstable, he tempts them to inconsistency.
If they are stubborn, he tempts them to remain unrepentant.
All the deadly traps, schemes, and evil plans in this world come from Satan’s power, hatred, and skill.
He has many devices:
to lead souls into sin,
to keep people away from prayer and holy living,
and to leave believers discouraged, doubting, fearful, and spiritually troubled.
He attacks everyone:
the great and the small,
the wise and the ignorant,
the rich and the poor,
true Christians and those who only claim to be Christians outwardly.
Sometimes Satan stops tempting for a season so that we become careless and lower our guard. At other times, he pretends to retreat so that we become proud of our “victory.”
Sometimes he makes us focus on the sins of others so we become proud and judgmental. Other times he makes us focus on the gifts and holiness of others so that we become discouraged and hopeless.
A man could sooner count the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore than fully count all Satan’s devices.
Yet in this work, the most dangerous and common schemes of Satan are explained, along with remedies from God’s Word.
My prayer for you is this:
That God would strengthen you inwardly by His Spirit; that Christ would dwell richly in your hearts through faith; that you would understand more deeply the immeasurable love of Christ; and that you would be filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16–19).
I pray that you would walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10–11).
I pray that you would do no evil (2 Corinthians 13:7), and that your love would grow more and more in wisdom and discernment so that you may live sincerely and blamelessly until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:9–10).
I pray that God would make you worthy of your calling and strengthen your faith so that Jesus Christ may be glorified in you (2 Thessalonians 1:11–12).
May your hearts remain upright, your understanding sound, and your lives holy.
Like fish that live in the salty sea yet remain fresh, may you live in a harsh and unloving world while still remaining loving and gracious.
Like bees gathering honey from flowers, may you draw good even from difficult circumstances.
May your lives be excellent inwardly and beautiful outwardly, like the heavens themselves.
And may we meet with joy on that great day when Christ says to the Father:
“Behold, I and the children whom Thou hast given me.”
— Isaiah 8:18
My desire is that you would make it your life’s work to study:
Christ,
His Word,
your own heart,
Satan’s devices,
and eternity,
more than ever before.
Seek more to be inwardly sincere than outwardly admired. Desire more to truly live for God than merely to appear religious.
Work diligently:
to be thankful for God’s mercies,
faithful in your responsibilities,
humble under God’s hand,
and fruitful under the preaching of His Word.
Finally, remember this:
Your life is short.
Your duties are many.
Your help from
God is great.
And your reward is certain.
Therefore, do not give up.
Continue faithfully in doing good, and heaven will richly repay every labor and suffering endured for Christ.