Based on:

Precious Remedies against Satan’s Devices by Thomas Brooks 

Satan's Devices to Keep Saints in a Sad, Doubting,
and Questioning Condition and the Remedies Provided

1. Introduction
   What are “devices”? (2 Corinthians 2:11)
   What is Satan’s aim with these devices? (1 Peter 5:8)
2. Device #1 (1 John 3:19-20; Hebrews 12:1-2)
   To cause us to “be poring and musing upon sin.”
   To be minding our sins more than we mind Christ.
3. What is the root problem? (Romans 10:1-3; 2 Corinthians 12:9)
   What is the root problem of self-righteousness?
   What is the root problem of despair over sins?

Remedy #1

To consider that, though Christ has not freed you from the presence of sin, yet He has freed you from the condemnation of your sin (1 John 1:8-2:1; Romans 8:1).

“Though sin and grace were never born together…yet they must keep house together.”

Remedy #2

To consider that, though Christ has not freed you from the molesting and vexing power of sin, yet he has freed you from the reign and dominion of sin (Romans 8:23; Romans 6:14).

Remedy #3

To keep one eye upon the promises of remission of sin and the other eye on the reality of sin and its ongoing influence (Psalm 103:8-14; Galatians 5:17).

“This is the most certain truth, that God graciously pardons those sins to His people
that He will not in this life fully subdue in His people.”

Remedy #4

To look upon all your sins as debts fully satisfied by Christ (2 Cor. 5:21; Colossians 2:13-14).

Remedy #5

To seriously consider the reasons why the Lord is pleased to have His people exercised, troubled, and vexed with the effects of sinful corruption (Psalm 119:67 and 71).

• To humble them.
• To drive them to the means God uses to mortify sin.
• To teach them to rely on Christ for their sanctification.
• To wean them from the things below.
• To grow their compassion toward others who also struggle.
• To learn to distinguish between a state of grace and a state of glory.
• To make heaven more sweet to them when they finally arrive there.

Remedy #6 

To solemnly consider that believers must learn to repent for their being discouraged by their sins since this discouragement springs from ignorance and unbelief (Isaiah 50:10; Acts 10:43).