Beware of the Tyrant

The power and malignity of our great enemy the devil

• We are told in the beginning of the chapter that he "put it into the heart" of Judas to betray our Lord. 
• We are told here that he "entered into" him. 
• First he suggests--then he commands. 
• First he knocks at the door and asks permission to come in--
• then, once admitted, he takes complete possession, and rules the whole inward man like a tyrant.

Let me take heed that I am not "ignorant of Satan's devices." 

• He is still going to and fro in the earth, seeking whom he may devour. 
• He is about my path, and about my bed, and spies out all my ways. 
• My only safety lies in resisting him at the first, and not listening to his first advances. 

For this I am responsible. 

• Strong as he is, he has no power to do me harm, if I cry to the stronger One in heaven, and use the means which He has appointed. 
• It is a standing principle of Christianity, and will ever be found true. 
• "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7.)”

Once I begin tampering with the devil, and I never know how far I may fall. 

• Trifling with the first thoughts of sin--
• making light of evil ideas when first offered to my heart--
• allowing Satan to talk to me, and flatter me, and put bad notions into my heart-
• all this may seem a small matter to many. 
• It is precisely at this point that the road to ruin often begins. 

If I allow Satan to sow wicked thoughts I will soon find within my “heart a crop of wicked habits. 

• Happy am I when I really believe that there is a devil, 
• and believing, watch and pray daily that I may be kept from his temptations.

Adapted Excerpt From

The Gospel of John

J. C. Ryle