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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
of our families, and all around us. It refines our taste, sanctifies our
judgment, and brings peace of mind, and in the end, everlasting life.
Under this holy restraint we shall increase in grace and humility, and it
will become easy to speak right. The natural, passionate, temper, will
be held in subjection. An indwelling Saviour will strengthen every
hour. Ministering angels will linger in our dwellings, and with joy
carry the tidings of our advance in the divine life heavenward, and the
angel will make a cheerful, happy record.
The Power of Satan
Fallen man is Satan’s lawful captive. The mission of Jesus Christ
was to rescue him from his power. Man is naturally inclined to follow
Satan’s suggestions, and he cannot of himself successfully resist so
terrible a foe, unless Christ, the mighty Conqueror, dwells in him,
guiding his desires, and giving him strength. God alone can limit the
power of Satan. He is going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and
down in it. He is not off his watch for a single moment, through fear of
losing an opportunity to destroy souls. It is important that God’s people
understand this, that they may escape his snares. Satan is preparing
his deceptions that in his last campaign against the people of God,
they may not understand that it is he.
2 Corinthians 11:14
. “And no
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marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” While
some deceived souls are advocating that he does not exist, he is taking
them captive, and is working through them to a great extent. Satan
knows better than God’s people the power that they can have over him,
when their strength is in Christ. When they humbly entreat the mighty
Conqueror for help, the weakest believer in the truth, relying firmly
upon Christ, can successfully repulse Satan and all his host. He is
too cunning to come openly, boldly, with his temptations, for then the
drowsy energies of the Christian would arouse, and he would rely upon
the strong and mighty Deliverer. But Satan comes in unperceived, and
in disguise he works through the children of disobedience, who profess
godliness. Satan will go to the extent of his power to harass, tempt,
and mislead, God’s people.
He who dared to face, and tempt, and taunt, our Lord, and who
had power to take him in his arms and carry him to a pinnacle of the
temple, and up into an exceeding high mountain, will exercise his