Devices of the Devil

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.blogspot.com             

We live in a day when stories in the daily news headlines vie for which is the most awful and terrible.  With few stories that portray us humans as kind and generous and honest, we can easily be persuaded that there is diminishing  good in the world. Certainly, stories that show us at our best rarely make news or reach the headlines.

 Such observations have been foretold millennia before. 

“20 For behold, at that day shall he (Satan) rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

23 Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

24 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion” (Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 28:20-24)

These revelatory and instructive words would suggest that we be vigilant and not “be at ease” with all that is going on around us.  It would suggest, as this week’s Meditation counsels that we ensure that,  “We avoid the snares and deceitful devices of the Devil.“ Proactively we must see that “truth is asserted and proclaimed by voices strong, full of faith and humble.”

Devices of the Devil

Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they (Judges) received their wages according to their employ, therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ, that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them; therefore they did stir up the people against Alma and Amulek.  And this Zeezrom began to question Amulek, saying: Will ye answer me a few questions which I shall ask you? Now Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good…

 Book of Mormon   Alma 11:20-21

Those were terrible days and times

When they who governed and ruled

Allowed and even committed crimes

Upon people whose souls were fooled

 Experts in trickery and deception

In the Devil’s schemes and devices

Subverting good without exception

Evil for hire at affordable prices

Trickery, perjury, mockery, and lies

All Satan’s devices and schemes

A mask of piety is his disguise

Deceit reigns and nothing is what it seems

Beware of these devious devices of deceit

Be strong of mind and heart and will

Discern right from wrong and how to meet

 God’s expectations and His covenants fulfill.

For the Devil’s devices crumble

When truth is asserted and proclaimed

By voices strong, full of faith and humble

Crushing his head and leaving him maimed

May we avoid the Devil and his devices

And be safe from his traps and snares

As he tempts, seduces, and entices

May God be our protector and we His heirs

Larry Doyle Crenshaw