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Enmity Between Man and Satan
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the world in character, words, and actions, they are becoming more
and more blinded. Familiarity with sin inevitably causes it to appear
less repulsive. He who chooses to associate with the servants of
Satan soon ceases to fear their master.
The tempter often works most successfully through those who
are least suspected of being under his control. 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 are a power for evil. Many
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who are affable and intelligent, and who would not stoop to what is
commonly regarded as an immoral act, are but polished instruments
in the hands of Satan. The insidious, deceptive character of their
influence and example renders them more dangerous enemies to the
cause of Christ than are those who are unattractive, coarse, rough,
and degraded.
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 for-
ward relying upon himself, he fell a prey to temptation. Then the
marvelous powers bestowed on this wisest of kings, only rendered
him a more efficient agent of the adversary of souls.
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 [margin]
in high places.” [
Ephesians 6:12
.] 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 prepar-
ing for his last campaign against the church. All who seek to follow
Jesus will be brought into conflict with this relentless foe. The more
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nearly the Christian imitates the divine Pattern, the more surely will