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"I will put
enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her
seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
Genesis 3:15. The divine sentence pronounced against Satan after the
fall of man was also a prophecy, embracing all the ages to the close
of time and foreshadowing the great conflict to engage all the races
of men who should live upon the earth.
God declares: "I will put enmity."
This enmity is not naturally entertained. When man transgressed the
divine law, his nature became evil, and he was in harmony, and not at
variance, with Satan. There exists naturally no enmity between sinful
man and the originator of sin. Both became evil through apostasy. The
apostate is never at rest, except as he obtains sympathy and support by
inducing others to follow his example. For this reason fallen angels and
wicked men unite in desperate companionship. Had not God specially
interposed, Satan and man would have entered into an alliance against
Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity against Satan, the whole human
family would have been united in opposition to God.
Satan tempted man to sin, as he had
caused angels to rebel, that he might thus secure co-operation in his
warfare against Heaven. There was no dissension between himself and the
fallen angels as regards their hatred of Christ; while on all
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other points there was discord, they were
firmly united in opposing the authority of the Ruler of the universe.
But when Satan heard the declaration that enmity should exist between
himself and the woman, and between his seed and her seed, he knew that
his efforts to deprave human nature would be interrupted; that by some
means man was to be enabled to resist his power.
Satan's enmity against the human race
is kindled because, through Christ, they are the objects of God's love
and mercy. He desires to thwart the divine plan for man's redemption, to
cast dishonor upon God, by defacing and defiling His handiwork; he would
cause grief in heaven and fill the earth with woe and desolation. And he
points to all this evil as the result of God's work in creating man.
It is the grace that Christ implants
in the soul which creates in man enmity against Satan. Without this
converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of
Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. But the new principle in
the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which
Christ imparts enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper. Whoever is
seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever resists and conquers
those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a
principle wholly from above.
The antagonism that exists between the
spirit of Christ and the spirit of Satan was most strikingly displayed
in the world's reception of Jesus. It was not so much because He
appeared without worldly wealth, pomp, or grandeur that the Jews were
led to reject Him. They saw that He possessed power which would more
than compensate for the lack of these outward advantages. But the purity
and holiness of Christ called forth against Him the hatred of the
ungodly. His life of self-denial and sinless devotion was a perpetual
reproof to a proud, sensual people. It was this that evoked enmity
against the Son of God. Satan and evil angels joined with evil men. All
the energies of apostasy conspired against the Champion of truth.
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The same enmity is manifested toward
Christ's followers as was manifested toward their Master. Whoever sees
the repulsive character of sin, and in strength from above resists
temptation, will assuredly arouse the wrath of Satan and his subjects.
Hatred of the pure principles of truth, and reproach and persecution of
its advocates, will exist as long as sin and sinners remain. The
followers of Christ and the servants of Satan cannot harmonize. The
offense of the cross has not ceased. "All that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12.
Satan's agents are constantly working
under his direction to establish his authority and build up his kingdom
in opposition to the government of God. To this end they seek to deceive
Christ's followers and allure them from their allegiance. Like their
leader, they misconstrue and pervert the Scriptures to accomplish their
object. As Satan endeavored to cast reproach upon God, so do his agents
seek to malign God's people. The spirit which put Christ to death moves
the wicked to destroy His followers. All this is foreshadowed in that
first prophecy: "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and
between thy seed and her seed." And this will continue to the close of
time.
Satan summons all his forces and
throws his whole power into the combat. Why is it that he meets with no
greater resistance? Why are the soldiers of Christ so sleepy and
indifferent? Because they have so little real connection with Christ;
because they are so destitute of His Spirit. Sin is not to them
repulsive and abhorrent, as it was to their Master. They do not meet it,
as did Christ, with decisive and determined resistance. They do not
realize the exceeding evil and malignity of sin, and they are blinded
both to the character and the power of the prince of darkness. There is
little enmity against Satan and his works, because there is so great
ignorance concerning his power and malice, and the vast extent of his
warfare against Christ and His church. Multitudes are deluded here. They
do not know that their enemy is a mighty general who controls the minds
of evil angels,
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and that with well-matured plans and
skillful movements he is warring against Christ to prevent the salvation
of souls. Among professed Christians, and even among ministers of the
gospel, there is heard scarcely a reference to Satan, except perhaps an
incidental mention in the pulpit. They overlook the evidences of his
continual activity and success; they neglect the many warnings of his
subtlety; they seem to ignore his very existence.
While men are ignorant of his devices,
this vigilant foe is upon their track every moment. He is intruding his
presence in every department of the household, in every street of our
cities, in the churches, in the national councils, in the courts of
justice, perplexing, deceiving, seducing, everywhere ruining the souls
and bodies of men, women, and children, breaking up families, sowing
hatred, emulation, strife, sedition, murder. And the Christian world
seem to regard these things as though God had appointed them and they
must exist.
Satan is continually seeking to
overcome the people of God by breaking down the barriers which separate
them from the world. Ancient Israel were enticed into sin when they
ventured into forbidden association with the heathen. In a similar
manner are modern Israel led astray. "The god of this world hath blinded
the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2
Corinthians 4:4. All who are not decided followers of Christ are
servants of Satan. In the unregenerate heart there is love of sin and a
disposition to cherish and excuse it. In the renewed heart there is
hatred of sin and determined resistance against it. When Christians
choose the society of the ungodly and unbelieving, they expose
themselves to temptation. Satan conceals himself from view and
stealthily draws his deceptive covering over their eyes. They cannot see
that such company is calculated to do them harm; and while all the time
assimilating to the world in character, words, and actions, they are
becoming more and more blinded.
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Conformity to worldly customs converts
the church to the world; it never converts the world to Christ.
Familiarity with sin will inevitably cause it to appear less repulsive.
He who chooses to associate with the servants of Satan will soon cease
to fear their master. When in the way of duty we are brought into trial,
as was Daniel in the king's court, we may be sure that God will protect
us; but if we place ourselves under temptation we shall fall sooner or
later.
The tempter often works most
successfully through those who are least suspected of being under his
control. The possessors of talent and education are admired and honored,
as if these qualities could atone for the absence of the fear of God or
entitle men to His favor. Talent and culture, considered in themselves,
are gifts of God; but when these are made to supply the place of piety,
when, instead of bringing the soul nearer to God, they lead away from
Him, then they become a curse and a snare. The opinion prevails with
many that all which appears like courtesy or refinement must, in some
sense, pertain to Christ. Never was there a greater mistake. These
qualities should grace the character of every Christian, for they would
exert a powerful influence in favor of true religion; but they must be
consecrated to God, or they also are a power for evil. Many a man of
cultured intellect and pleasant manners, who would not stoop to what is
commonly regarded as an immoral act, is but a polished instrument in the
hands of Satan. The insidious, deceptive character of his influence and
example renders him a more dangerous enemy to the cause of Christ than
are those who are ignorant and uncultured.
By earnest prayer and dependence upon
God, Solomon obtained the wisdom which excited the wonder and admiration
of the world. But when he turned from the Source of his strength, and
went forward relying upon himself, he fell a prey to temptation. Then
the marvelous powers bestowed on this wisest of kings only rendered him
a more effective agent of the adversary of souls.
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While Satan is constantly seeking to
blind their minds to the fact, let Christians never forget that they
"wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against wicked spirits in high places." Ephesians 6:12, margin. The
inspired warning is sounding down the centuries to our time: "Be sober,
be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8. "Put on the
whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of
the devil." Ephesians 6:11.
From the days of Adam to our own time,
our great enemy has been exercising his power to oppress and destroy. He
is now preparing for his last campaign against the church. All who seek
to follow Jesus will be brought into conflict with this relentless foe.
The more nearly the Christian imitates the divine Pattern, the more
surely will he make himself a mark for the attacks of Satan. All who are
actively engaged in the cause of God, seeking to unveil the deceptions
of the evil one and to present Christ before the people, will be able to
join in the testimony of Paul, in which he speaks of serving the Lord
with all humility of mind, with many tears and temptations.
Satan assailed Christ with his
fiercest and most subtle temptations, but he was repulsed in every
conflict. Those battles were fought in our behalf; those victories make
it possible for us to conquer. Christ will give strength to all who seek
it. No man without his own consent can be overcome by Satan. The tempter
has no power to control the will or to force the soul to sin. He may
distress, but he cannot contaminate. He can cause agony, but not
defilement. The fact that Christ has conquered should inspire His
followers with courage to fight manfully the battle against sin and
Satan.
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