"How are you getting on today, Tom? Are you still happy in the Lord?" I asked this of a young man who had been converted at our meetings.
"Thanks be to God, I am happy, sir; but Satan has been at me, as you said he would be. He tries to make me doubt as to whether I am really saved or not.”
"Well, Tom, I hope you realize that there are only two sources of doubts:—Satan, and your wretched heart. You can't trust either one. Never will you get one doubt from Jesus and God's Word. But tell me, when Satan attacks and causes doubt, with what do you meet him, on these occasions, Tom?" I asked this desiring to know on what he rested for his salvation and the assurance of it.
The young man drew from his breast pocket a Testament, and opening it said: "I just gave him the verses through which I was led to the Savior that night in the old schoolhouse. The first is Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8): `While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us'; and the other, John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36): 'He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.' When I read these aloud my soul is happy and Satan gives over.”
These are the true weapons of warfare wherewith to meet the Great Adversary. He cannot stand them: the work of Christ as the cause and rock of salvation, the Word of God the ground of its assurance.
But like that young man, you must first discover your need of Christ, and then receive Him as your personal Savior. Thereafter you can stand firm on the Rock, and thus meet the adversary, Satan, with the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit.