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Another part of this campaign of deceit is disclosed in the statement made by Paul in
II Thess. 2: 1, 2, showing that false messages came by "spirit", by "word" and by "a
letter, as from the Apostle", to counter which the Apostle in his epistles was led to use a
distinctive phrase which he always wrote with his own hand (II Thess. 3: 17).
This campaign of deceit never ceases. So far as man is concerned it began in the
Garden of Eden, and it is resumed even after the millennial reign, when the devil, being
let loose, shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth
(Rev. 20: 7, 8).
Deception is raised to a fine art in the dispensation of the mystery, as will be seen by
the efforts of translators to do justice to the intensity of the words used in the passages
that reveal it.
"By the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive"
(Eph. 4: 14).
"By the sleight of men in craftiness, after the wiles of error" (R.V.).
"In the sleight of men, in cunning, with a view to systematized error" (Darby).
Rotherham, Weymouth, Moffatt and others may also be consulted, for each adds his help
in throwing light upon the dark theme.
We must ever be on our guard against rumour and false teaching and remember that
our spiritual foe is a past-master at the dreadful work of deception. By analogy, we may
learn from the children of this generation, in their attempts to counteract the campaign of
lies that often prepares the way for attack and conquest, the need of constant
watchfulness.
#11.
Measures of Defence and of Offence.
pp. 186 - 188
Because there was a war on, the man of the world voluntarily relinquished many
legitimate pleasures, forgoed even some necessities, endured a deal of discomfort, and in
many ways put into practice, in the secular sphere, the tenets of Scripture laid down for
the guidance of the believer in the days of spiritual conflict.
The subject is as endless as life's experiences, for, from the cradle to the grave, man
lives his life in a world of war. We cannot make this series of articles as exhaustive as
life itself, but we can point out a few of the more obvious features, leaving the rest to the
spiritual understanding of each reader.
We will then look for a moment at defensive and offensive measures that find
parallels in spiritual warfare. Among these every believer observed the parallel between
the "Anderson Shelter" and that Refuge which has been provided by the God of our