Introduction. Satan is a deceiver (John 8:44). He is described as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He even uses so-called “Christianity” to trap people in their sins by offering them a form of religion that is not according to the true message of the gospel which would set them free from sin (John 8:32). 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 describes Satan and Satan’s allies:  “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

You can escape Satan’s traps! It doesn’t take long to think about Satan’s deceptive work and become discouraged, thinking that there is no way you will ever be able to overcome him. However, the scriptures, while seriously warning us about Satan’s deceptive nature, also gives us great hope that we can overcome him through Jesus Christ! Notice the following passages.

• 1 Corinthians 10:13:  “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
• James 4:7:  “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
• 2 Timothy 2:24-26:  “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

These passages demonstrate that there is hope in the fight against sin! It is possible to overcome the deceptiveness of the devil and follow the way of God. Now, this does not just apply to the daily temptations we face; but, it also applies to the religious lies Satan and his allies promote throughout the world! Let’s take some time to carefully consider how it is we can escape the religious traps of Satan.

Learn the truth. Escaping the traps of the devil is very much connected with learning and obeying the truth. Notice the passage in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 again and pay special attention to the place knowing the truth has in escaping Satan’s trap. Jesus said it this way, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). The truth will show the way of escape from your sin (and out of religious error)!

God’s word is absolute truth (John 17:17). His word is revealed to us in the pages of the Bible (which was given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit). So, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that God’s word will completely equip us to live in the way that pleases God. Included in this are the appropriate doctrines we must believe and apply to our lives.

But, a working knowledge of the truth does not come without effort. The scriptures say, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). How do we learn what the will of the Lord is? We must be diligent to read, study, and meditate upon the things written in the Bible. We ought to be like the noble people of Berea, who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out” whether they were being taught accurately or whether they were being taught error. How often do you read your Bible? How often do you check to see whether you are being taught the truth or whether you are being taught error?

Since we learn the truth from reading the Bible (and since the Bible will be the standard by which we will all be judged (John 12:48; Romans 2:16; Revelation 20:11-15), you must be diligent to establish Bible authority for everything that you do in life! If you goal in life is to live in a way that pleases God, you must seek to establish Bible authority for everything that you do in worship and service to God. There are three ways to establish Bible authority for a thing:  (1) By a direct command/statement, (2) by an approved example, and (3) by a forced conclusion. If you cannot establish Bible authority for the things that you are doing in your life, you must not be involved in them! In fact, the scriptures instruct you to:  “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Everything you believe, think about, say, do, what church you attend, etc. ought to be examined by the scriptures – to see whether they are pleasing to God or not!

Apply the truth. But, it is not enough just to learn the truth. You must also be diligent to apply the truth to your life. James wrote, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). The scriptures are clear that God demands obedience from us (see Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 5:9). Romans 6:17 identifies that we must obey the doctrine of Christ from the heart!

So, we must not only learn the right things; but, we must make diligent application of those truths to our lives. We must hold fast to the pattern of sound words which are contained in the New Testament (2 Timothy 1:13). We must abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9-11). We must not have any fellowship with the “unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).

Now, many times your obedience to the truth will be met with resistance from those around you (who do not know or obey the truth). In this way, Jesus said that the truth He brought would (often) make enemies in one’s own household (read Matthew 10:34-39 carefully). Your spouse may not be supportive of your decision. Your own children may cut ties with you. Your friends may reject you. However, Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). While not everyone who accepts and obeys the truth are “disowned” by their families and friends, you will need to determine to obey the truth and follow the Lord regardless of how others receive it!

Conclusion. You can escape the religious lies of Satan. But, you must learn and apply the truth that is contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ! So, will you be diligent to study the Bible and evaluate whether you are following the way of truth? Or, will you accept the religious traditions and teachings of men (that are without Bible authority)? Don’t be deceived, buy the truth – and do not sell it (Proverbs 23:23)!