The Devil's Punctuality, Power, and Purpose

worlddic.com

Luke 8:12

Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts…

I. First observe the evil one's PUNCTUALITY. NO sooner does the seed fall than the fowls devour it. Our text says "then," that is, there and then, "cometh the devil." Mark renders it, "Satan cometh immediately." Whoever else may loiter, Satan never does. No sooner does a camel fall dead in the wilderness than the vultures appear. Not a bird was visible, nor did it seem possible that there could be one within a radius of many miles, yet speedily there are specks in the sky, and soon the devourers are gorging themselves with flesh: even thus do the spirits of evil scent their prey from afar, end hasten to their destroying work. h little delay might put the case beyond Satanic power, hence the prompitude of diabolic activity.

II. Notice his POWER. It is not said that he tries to do it, but that he actually does so. He sees, he comes, and he conquers. His power is partly derived from his natural sagacity. He is more than a match for preacher and hearer united if the Holy Spirit be not there to baffle him. He has also acquired fresh cunning by long practice in his accursed business. Moreover, he derives his chief power from the man's condition of soul: it is easy for birds to pick up seed which lies exposed on a trodden path.

III. His PURPOSE. "Lest they should believe and be saved" Satan takes away the Word out of their hearts. Here also is wisdom — wisdom hidden within the enemy's cunning. If the gospel remains in contact with the heart its tendency is to produce faith.

worlddic.com