David A Williams

“and deny Christ to save his own skin (Matthew 16:22; 26:69-75). If Ahab’s prophets are given to flatter, the devil will immediately become a lying spirit in the mouths of four hundred of them, and they shall flatter Ahab to his ruin (1 Kings 22). If Judas is willing to be a traitor, Satan will quickly enter into his heart and make him sell his Master for money—which some heathen would never have done (John 13:2). If Ananias will lie to gain an advantage, Satan will fill his heart so he will lie, with a witness, to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3). Satan loves to sail with the wind and to fit people’s temptations to their situations and inclinations. If they are in prosperity, he will tempt them to deny God (Proverbs 30:9). If they are in adversity, he will tempt them to distrust God. If their knowledge is weak, he will tempt them to have low thoughts of God. If their conscience is tender, he will tempt them to be overly self-condemning. If their conscience is not tender enough, he will tempt them to feel falsely secure. If they are bold-spirited, he will tempt them to be presumptuous. If they are fearful, he will tempt them to desperation. If they are flexible, he will”
― James A. Odens, Reflections on Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices: Thomas Brooks' Classic in Updated Language with Additional Commentary by James A. Odens