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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
everywhere the belief that he does not exist. It is his policy to conceal
himself and his manner of working.
There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we
shall become acquainted with his devices. The better to disguise his
real character and purposes, he has caused himself to be so repre-
sented as to excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or contempt.
He is well pleased to be painted as a ludicrous or loathsome object,
misshapen, half animal and half human. He is pleased to hear his
name used in sport and mockery by those who consider themselves
intelligent and well-informed.
It is because he has masked himself with consummate skill that
the question is so widely asked, “Does such a being really exist?”
It is an evidence of his success that theories giving the lie to the
plainest testimony of the Scriptures are so generally received in the
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religious world. And it is because Satan can most readily control the
minds of those who are unconscious of his influence that the word
of God gives us so many examples of his malignant work, unveiling
before us his secret forces, and thus placing us on our guard against
his assaults.
The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us,
were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior
power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts
and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we
seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access
to us, and against whose attacks we have no method of defense. If
permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder, torment our bodies,
destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery
and destruction. Fearful is the condition of those who resist the
divine claims and yield to Satan’s temptations until God gives them
up to the control of evil spirits. But those who follow Christ are ever
safe under his watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent from
Heaven to protect them. The wicked one cannot break through the
guard which God has stationed about his people.
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