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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
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
do not realize their peril. There is but 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, 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 councils, in the courts of justice, perplexing, de-
ceiving, seducing, everywhere ruining the souls and bodies of men,
women, and children, breaking up families, sowing hatred, emula-
tion, 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. An-
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cient 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 bandage across their eyes. They cannot see that such company is
calculated to do them harm, and while all the time assimilating to