Dissecting the Serpent

Every criminal has a modus operandi or “method of operation.” Investigators become adept at tracking down culprits by investigating a variety of evidentiary fingerprints that help to define a particular felon. The behavior of habitual criminals commonly assumes a distinct pattern. Thieves who find a successful method of robbery rarely deviate from their unique strategy. Rapists tend to focus on the same type of victim, utilizing signature methodologies, seemingly oblivious to the fact that they tend to create a profile of evidence that often leads to their own arrest and conviction. Serial killers leave a trail of forensic breadcrumbs that include their routine choice of victims, weaponry, and motive. Investigators develop the murderer’s profile hoping to prevent others from becoming projects for the coroner. Terrorists have signature methods of planting and detonating their bombs for maximum destruction. Understanding the modus operandi is invaluable in defeating the criminal mind. I know one pastor who learned this lesson the hard way! “Pastor,” a hopeful voice pleaded, “do you remember me? My name is ‘George Simpson.’ My wife and I visited in your worship services a couple of weeks ago. We are moving to your area and we really like your church. In fact, we have decided that when we get settled, we want to join. You do remember us don’t you?” The pastor, not wanting to seem insensitive, replied, “I remember meeting several new couples about two Sundays ago but I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name. My memory fails me sometimes.” Mr. Simpson continued, “Pastor, I just got a new job with the ‘General Machinery Corporation’ and we will be moving into a house on ‘2977 Albany Road’ not far from the church. In fact, we are on our way there. But our car broke down near Kokomo, Indiana. A very kind farmer and his family have taken us in for the night. His son is a mechanic. He says he can fix the problem but the part he needs will cost $156. I hate to ask, but I was wondering if you might be able to wire us the money. If you could do that for us, I promise to repay the money as soon as I get my first paycheck. We are just about tapped out with the move and all. Just getting the utilities turned on and paying the miscellaneous expenses was more than we had planned. Now, this transmission trouble! It couldn’t come at a worse time with Christmas and all. If you can send it today, the mechanic promises that he can fix the car and we can be in church this Sunday.” I know what you are thinking. That pastor surely didn’t fall for a con game like that! Before you judge too harshly, remember, it was the season for giving! Besides, having a compassionate heart and always eager to add to the rolls of the church, the pastor conferred with two deacons. Though the proposition sounded somewhat risky, what if this need was indeed genuine? All three men recalled memories of days when they had known financial catastrophe often as the result of unexpected automobile breakdowns. Besides, it WAS Christmas. So soon the money was being transferred via Western Union into the gleeful hands of the “Simpsons.” This family has yet to arrive for Sunday worship after all these years. Perhaps, the pastor should have wired a map! Two years after this expensive embarrassment, the FBI sent an agent to the office of the First Baptist Church. Special Agent “Smith” was accumulating evidence in an interstate fraud investigation against a man and woman who had used this scam to con hundreds of churches out of over a quarter of a million dollars! Comparing notes, the pastor of the Baptist Church learned that the ministers of the local Christian and Lutheran Churches had fallen prey to the “Simpson Broken Transmission” script as well. Since that original Christmas deception, the pastor of that Baptist church has heard that same sob story on two other occasions from two other “stranded” families! However, now wise to the modus operandi of the caller, the pastor easily rejected the “desperate” request both times. He only wished that he had possessed the skill to turn the tables and capture the crooks by using some sort of “sting operation!” (The identity of this pastor is being withheld to save myself the embarrassment of acknowledging how easily I was conned!) If you have e-mail capability, you might have received correspondence from a “desperate but wealthy refugee” who promises to share millions of dollars with anyone who is willing to help reclaim his family fortune. The message explains how this man hopes to salvage his considerable bank accounts from the grasp of terrorists who overthrew the government of his African nation. This plea for assistance sounds legitimate, especially to ambitious Americans seeking to strike it rich themselves. Astonishingly, scores of people have taken the bait only to be humiliated and robbed of thousands of hard earned dollars. Ignorance plus greed are a volatile combination! However, those who know the truth about such schemes as these are far less likely to become victims of the criminal mind. (I didn’t fall for this one!) The Criminal Mind that has inspired countless lesser criminal minds throughout the centuries has a modus operandi of his own. The Apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 2:11, “Lest Satan should take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (NKJV) Perhaps, Christians in first century Corinth were clearly informed of the satanic strategies and were indeed, “not ignorant of his devices.” Sadly, many twenty-first century believers are not so keenly aware. Throughout the pages of Holy Scripture, the LORD God has revealed the devil’s methods of operation. From Genesis through Revelation the criminal activity of the Evil One is clearly seen. The victims of Hell’s schemes include such luminaries as Adam, Abraham, Moses, Samson, Saul, David, Solomon, Peter, Paul, and so on. Each of their failures is recorded in the Bible to enable us to learn from their mistakes so that we might not repeat their sometimes disastrous blunders. (I Corinthians 10:11) No man has been exempt from the onslaught of satanic attack. The devil was so unabashedly bold that he would even dare to confront the Only Begotten Son of God to entice Him to evil. Thankfully, Jesus Christ could see through the deception and emerged victorious on every occasion. (See Hebrews 4:15) Indeed, Christ’s conquests of the subtle serpent provide much needed insight into how God’s children can overcome evil as well. Throughout the years of my Christian experience, I have encountered personal battles with the demonic. Every believer in Christ has. The Apostle Paul reminds us “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6:12 HCS). From both victories and defeats, I have learned much. Throughout my thirty-five years of evangelistic and pastoral ministry, I have observed hundreds of people who have become casualties of demonic destruction. Sometimes friends have been blindsided. Other times, despite clear warnings, I have watched people being mortally wounded by walking into spiritual landmines that seemingly were in plain sight. Hopefully, as people become more aware of the satanic schemes, they will be more likely to avoid the pitfalls that lie in wait. Dissecting the Serpent: Exposing 21 of Our Enemy’s Most Destructive Devices is an attempt to glean from Scripture the modus operandi of Satan.