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Cruel Power of the Enemy, November 2
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double
minded.
James 4:7, 8
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There are multitudes today as truly under the power of evil spirits as
was the demoniac of Capernaum. All who willfully depart from God’s
commandments are placing themselves under the control of Satan. Many
a man tampers with evil, thinking that he can break away at pleasure;
but he is lured on and on, until he finds himself controlled by a will
stronger than his own. He cannot escape its mysterious power. Secret
sin or master passion may hold him a captive as helpless as was the
demoniac of Capernaum.
Satan is the god of the world; his influence is to pervert the senses,
control the human mind for evil, and drive his victims to violence and
crime. He sows discord and darkens the intellect. The work of Christ
is to break his power over the children of men. Yet how many in every
department of life, in the home, in business transactions, and in the
church, turn Jesus from their doors but let the hateful monster in.
Satan’s path is the broadest and the most deceptive. It is made
to appear the most attractive, while it is hard, mystifying, and full of
disappointment.
He who feels his own danger is on the watch lest he shall grieve the
Holy Spirit and then draw away from God because he knows that He is
not pleased with his course of action. How much better and safer it is to
draw nigh to God, that the pure light shining from His Word may heal
the wounds that sin has made in the soul. The closer we are to God, the
safer we are, for Satan hates and fears the presence of God.
The subtlety of Satan will not decrease, but the wisdom given to
men through a living connection with the Source of all light and divine
knowledge will be proportionate to his arts and wiles.
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