Satan's Tactics to Make Us Believe in Unpardonable Sin
Satan's tactics to make believers think they have committed the unpardonable sin are rooted in his role as the "accuser of the brethren" [3]. According to 2 Corinthians 2:11, believers are not unaware of Satan's schemes, which include attempting to outsmart them and gain an advantage [1, 2]. One of Satan's primary tactics is to accuse believers of sin, laying false charges against them to weaken their influence and injure the cause of Christ.
The biblical account of the fall in Genesis 3 illustrates Satan's method of beguiling humans through flattering lies, leading to disobedience and sin [4]. This pattern is repeated throughout scripture, with Satan seeking to prevent unbelievers from seeing the truth (Luke 8:12) [10]. In the case of believers, Satan may use guilt and condemnation to make them doubt their salvation.
The apostle Paul warns that Satan can gain an advantage when church discipline is neglected or turned into tyranny, or when he can draw individuals away from the church or keep them out [6]. Calvin notes that Satan besieges believers with new pitfalls when they are at their most vulnerable, emphasizing the need for watchfulness against his guiles [8].
In the context of the unpardonable sin, Satan's tactics may involve convincing believers that they have committed an irreversible sin, leading to despair and spiritual stagnation. However, the biblical emphasis is on God's forgiveness and restoration, with the warning that believers should not deceive themselves into thinking they have no sin [5]. By understanding Satan's schemes and being aware of his tactics, believers can resist his attempts to outsmart them and remain vigilant in their walk with God.
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the importance of recognizing Satan's role in tempting and deceiving believers, and the need for watchfulness against his guiles [7, 8]. By being familiar with Satan's evil schemes, believers can avoid being outsmarted by him and instead live in the freedom of God's forgiveness and restoration [9].
Sources
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 2:11 (BSB) — in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 2:11 — Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Accuser — Satan is styled the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev. 12:10. Comp. Job 1:6; Zech. 3:1), as seeking to uphold his influence among men by bringing false charges against Christians, with the view of weakening their influence and injuring the cause with which they are identified. He was regarded by the Jews as the accuser of men before God, laying to their charge the violations of the law of which they were guilty, and demanding their punishment. The same Greek word, rendered "accuser," is found in John 8:10 (but omitted in the Revised Version); Acts 23:30, 35; 2”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 2:11: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us,.... Or make gain of us, or we should be circumvented by him; a metaphor taken from covetous persons, who take every occasion, and make use of every advantage to circumvent and deceive persons in trading with them: Satan gets an advantage of the churches, when church discipline is brought into neglect and contempt, or turned into tyranny; or when he can draw off any person from a church, or keep him out of it: wherefore the apostle's argument is, that since the incestuous person had true repentance for his sin, he ought ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 7.35: body. Men would remain, in the meanwhile, the slaves of Satan, who would proudly triumph over them, and trample on their heads. Wherefore, that God might revive the fainting minds of men, and restore them when oppressed by despair, it became necessary to promise them, in their posterity victory over Satan, through whose wiles they had been ruined. This, then, was the only salutary medicine which could recover the lost, and restore life to the dead. I therefore conclude, that God here chiefly assails Satan under the name of the ser”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 23.34: worried and careful? Presently, being safe on the mountain, satan besieges him with new pitfalls. Through this example, the Spirit admonishes us to watchfulness, that, when we think the least about it, an invisible enemy stretches snared for us. Likewise has Moses told earlier that Adam was deceived in Paradise. When we take care for ourselves, that will that watchfulness make us being on our guard against all guiles of our enemy. For there is nobody who not carries with him thousands of temptation to his own deceit. 37. And the ”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 2:11: 2:11 If we exercise forgiveness, as Paul did, Satan will not outsmart us by making us either too lax over sin or too rigorous in punishing offenders. • familiar with his evil schemes: Cp. 11:3, 14; Eph 6:11.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 8:12: 8:12 to have the devil come and take it away: Satan seeks to prevent unbelievers from seeing the truth.”