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Prayer an Effective Weapon Against Satan, January 27
Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you.
James 4:7, 8
, NKJV.
Satan is constantly at work, but few have any idea of his activity and subtlety.
The people of God must be prepared to withstand the wily foe. It is this resistance
that Satan dreads. He knows better than we do the limit of his power and how easily
he can be overcome if we resist and face him.
Through divine strength the weakest saint is more than a match for him and all
his angels, and if brought to the test [the weakest saint] would be able to prove ...
superior power. Therefore Satan’s step is noiseless, his movements stealthy, and his
batteries masked. He does not venture to show himself openly, lest he arouse the
Christian’s dormant energies and send him or her to God in prayer.
The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against the church. He has so
concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much
less can they be convinced of his amazing activity and power.... Boasting of their
independence they will, under his specious, bewitching influence, obey the worst
impulses of the human heart and yet believe that God is leading them. Could
their eyes be opened to distinguish their captain, they would see that they are not
serving God, but the enemy of all righteousness. They would see that their boasted
independence is one of the heaviest fetters Satan can rivet on unbalanced minds.
Human beings are Satan’s captives and are naturally inclined to follow his
suggestions and do his bidding. They have in themselves no power to oppose
effectual resistance to evil. It is only as Christ abides in them by living faith,
influencing their desires and strengthening them with strength from above, that
they may venture to face so terrible a foe. Every other means of defense is utterly
vain. It is only through Christ that Satan’s power is limited. This is a momentous
truth that all should understand. Satan is busy every moment, going to and fro,
walking up and down in the earth, seeking whom he may devour. But the earnest
prayer of faith will baffle his strongest efforts. Then take “the shield of faith,”
brethren and sisters, “wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked.”—
Testimonies for the Church 5:293, 294
.
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