A few words from Martin Luther will prove to be helpful meditation as we start a new year.
By good experience, I know the devil’s craft and
subtilty, that he not only blows the law into us, to terrify and
affright us, and out of mole-hills to make mountains,—that is, to make a
very hell of what is but a small and little sin, which as a wondrous
juggler he can perform artfully; but also, can sometimes make such to be
great and heavy sins which are no sins; for he brings one threatening
sentence or other out of the Holy Scriptures, and before we are aware,
gives so hard a blow to our hearts, in a moment, that we lose all light
and sight, and take him to be the true Christ, whereas it is only the
envious devil.
…
Though Satan ceases not to plague the Christians, and to shoot at us
his fiery darts, ’tis very good and profitable for us, for thereby he
makes us the more sure of the word and doctrine, so that faith
increases, and is stronger in us. We are often shaken, and, indeed, now
and then the devil drives out of us a sour and bitter sweat, but he
cannot bring us to despair; for Christ always has kept the field, and
through us he will keep it still. Through hope, in all manner of trials
and temptations, we hold ourselves on Christ.
…
It is almost incredible how God enables us, weak flesh and blood, to
enter combat with the devil, and to beat and overcome so powerful a
spirit as he, and with no other weapon but only his Word, which by faith
we take hold on. This must needs grieve and vex that great and powerful
enemy.
- The Table Talk of Martin Luther
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