The apostolic age had not long been on its way before we get the most solemn warnings on this subject. " For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness: whose end shall be according to their works " (2 Corinthians 11:13-1413For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13‑14)). A man may look like an "apostle of Christ," and all the time be an emissary of Satan. Could warning be clearer as to the subtlety of Satan? He has his "ministers" as well as God, and he will have them appear as very "ministers of righteousness" in order to deceive. Our only 'hope of detecting these frauds is to see if the characteristics of the Word of God are seen in the practices of these movements, and if they are not, to give them a wide berth.
For example, take an utterly anti-Christian cult such as Christian Science. The Bible is read at all their public meetings. The unwary are likely to come to the conclusion that the cult, seeing it apparently exalts the Scriptures, must be a good one. But we know that they deny the very fundamentals of the Christian faith. They refuse the Deity of our Lord. They deny that His death was an atoning death. Their reading the Bible, and apparently paying homage to it, are but the devices of Satan—Satan camouflaging himself as an angel of light.
Take Spiritism. Sometimes the dupes are exhorted to read the Bible and pray. This advice throws the victim off his guard. Spiritism must be good, says the unwary, if it gives such excellent advice. Does the devil love the Scriptures and prayer? No, he hates them with a deadly hatred, but if this advice to read the Bible and pray will serve to secure his dupe and allay suspicion, it is well worth while, until the time comes when the mask can be safely thrown aside, and the poor victim landed into utter infidelity, bath as to the Word of God and prayer.
We are warned that, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:1212For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)). Are we a match in the face of the subtlety of such foes? Not unless we cleave closely to the Scriptures, and are really subject to their teaching, and walk in the power of the Spirit of God.
Again we read of, "The working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders " (2 Thessalonians 2: 9). This last Scripture will prepare us to believe that Satan can imitate the Gift of Healing and the Gift of Tongues. We may be sure that Satan will imitate the good things that God gives us.
We will now proceed to give one or two examples of these "signs and lying wonders."