To capture a city an enemy must first weaken or destroy its resistance, and so it is with the evangelical forces at any given time or place. It is impossible for Satan to storm the citadel of God as long as faithful watchmen stand on the walls to rouse her soldiers to action. The church will never fall as long as she resists. This the devil knows; consequently he uses any stratagem to neutralize her resistance.…
He first creates a maudlin and wholly inaccurate concept of Christ as soft, smiling and tolerant. He reminds us that Christ was “brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth,” and suggests that we go and do likewise. Then if we notice his foot in the door and rise to oppose him he appeals to our desire to be Christlike. “You must not practice negative thinking,” he tells us. “Jesus said, ‘He that is not against Me is for Me.’ Also He said ‘Judge not,’ and how can you be a good Christian and pass adverse judgment on any religious talk or activity? Controversy divides the Body of Christ. Love is of God, little children, so love everybody and all will be well.”
Thus speaks the devil, using Holy Scripture falsely for his evil purpose; and it is nothing short of tragic how many of God’s people are taken in by his sweet talk. The shepherd becomes afraid to use his club and the wolf gets the sheep. The watchman is charmed into believing that there is no danger, and the city falls to the enemy without a shot.
Isaiah 53:7; Ezekiel 3:17; Matthew 12:30; Acts 20:28–31; 1 Peter 5:8–9
The Set of the Sail, 114, 115.