Ambushing Satan With Song [Part FOUR]

The Testimony of Great Saints

In his book The Hour That Changes the World, Dick Eastman's shares about Mary Slosser who worked in China for many years. She used to say, "I sing the Doxology and dismiss the devil." And Amy Carmichael said, "I believe truly that Satan cannot endure it and so slips out of the room—more or less—when there is a true song."

Martin Luther gives his testimony like this:

Music is a fair and lovely gift of God which has often wakened and moved me to the joy of preaching . . . Music drives away the Devil and makes people joyous . . . Next after theology I give to music the highest place and the greatest honour. I would not change what little I know of music for something great. Experience proves that next to the Word of God only music deserves to be extolled as the mistress and governess of the feelings of the human heart. We know that to the devils music is distasteful and insufferable. My heart bubbles up and overflows in response to music, which has so often refreshed me and delivered me from dire plagues. (Here I Stand, p. 266)

William Law in his spiritual classic, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, has a whole chapter to encourage us to chant the psalms in our private devotions. He says,

Just as singing is a natural effect of joy in the heart so it has also a natural power of rendering the heart joyful . . . There is nothing that so clears a way for your prayers, nothing that so disperses dullness of heart, nothing that so purifies the soul from poor and little passions, nothing that so opens heaven, or carries your heart so near it, as these songs of praise.

They create a sense and delight in God, they awaken holy desires, they teach you how to ask, and they prevail with God to give. They kindle a holy flame, they turn your heart into an altar, your prayers into incense, and carry them as a sweet-smelling savor to the throne of grace. (pp. 168, 164)

It is no wonder that Satan hates the musical praises of God's people. He does his best to keep a church from being a worshipping church. And he does his best to keep you from being a singing, worshipping person.

I don't think these testimonies from Mary Slosser and Amy Carmichael and Martin Luther and William Law are pious platitudes. I think that they are strictly and terribly true. Satan cannot endure the spiritual songs of the saints. You can fight him with song and you should for his confusion leads to your conquest.