'The Great
Controversy - Chapter XXX-Enmity Between Man and Satan
Continued…
The same enmity is
manifested toward Christ’s followers as was manifested toward their Master.
Whoever sees the
repulsive character of sin, and, in strength from above, resists temptation,
will assuredly arouse the wrath of Satan and his subjects.
Hatred of the pure
principles of truth, and reproach and persecution of its advocates, will exist
as long as sin and sinners remain. The followers of Christ and the servants of
Satan cannot harmonize. The offense of the cross has not ceased. “All that will
live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” [2 Timothy 3:12.] Satan’s
agents are constantly working under his direction to establish his authority
and build up his kingdom in opposition to the government of God. To this end
they seek to deceive Christ’s followers, and allure them from their allegiance.
Like their leader, they misconstrue and pervert the Scriptures to accomplish
their object. As Satan endeavored to cast reproach upon God, so do his agents
seek to malign God’s people.
The spirit which put
Christ to death moves the wicked to destroy hi sfollowers. All this is
foreshadowed in that first prophecy, “I will put enmity between thee and the
woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” And this will continue to the close
of time.
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 have so little real connection with Christ; because
they are so destitute of his Spirit.
Sin is not to them
repulsive and abhorrent, as it was to their Master. They do not meet it, as did
Christ, with decisive and determined resistance. They do not realize the
exceeding evil and malignity of sin, and they are blinded both to the character
and the power of the prince of darkness. There is 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 national councils, in the courts of
justice, perplexing, deceiving, seducing, everywhere ruining the souls and
bodies of men, women, and children, breaking up families, sowing hatred,
emulation, 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.
Ancient 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 deceptive covering over their eyes.
They cannot see that
such company is calculated to do them harm; and while all the time assimilating
to the world in character, words, and actions, they are becoming more and more
blinded.
Conformity to
worldly customs converts the church to the world; it never converts the world to
Christ. Familiarity with sin will inevitably cause it to appear less
repulsive.
He who chooses to
associate with the servants of Satan, will soon cease to fear their master.
When in the way of
duty we are brought into trial, as was Daniel in the king’s court, we may be
sure that God will protect us; but if we place ourselves under temptation, we
shall fall sooner or later.
The tempter often
works most successfully through those who are least suspected of being under
his control.
The possessors of
talent and education are admired and honored, as if these qualities could atone
for the absence of the fear of God, or entitle men to his favor. Talent and
culture, considered in themselves, are gifts of God; but when these are made to
supply the place of piety, when, instead of bringing the soul nearer to God,
they lead away from him, then they become a curse and a snare.
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 also are a power for evil.
Many a man of
cultured intellect and pleasant manners who would not stoop to what is commonly
regarded as an immoral act, is but a polished instrument in the hands of Satan.
The insidious,
deceptive character of his influence and example renders him a more dangerous
enemy to the cause of Christ than are those who are ignorant and uncultured.
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 forward relying upon himself, he fell a prey to temptation.
Then the marvelous
powers bestowed on this wisest of kings, only rendered him a more effective
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 in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12(Margin).]
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 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 preparing for his last campaign against the church. All
who seek to follow Jesus will be brought into conflict with this relentless foe.
The more nearly the Christian imitates the divine Pattern, the more surely will
he make himself a mark for the attacks of Satan.
All who are actively
engaged in the cause of God, seeking to unveil the deceptions of the evil one
and to present Christ before the people, will be able to join in the testimony
of Paul, in which he speaks of serving the Lord with all humility of mind, with
many tears and temptations. Satan assailed Christ with his fiercest and most
subtle temptations; but he was repulsed in every conflict. Those battles were
fought in our behalf; those victories make it possible for us to conquer.
Christ will give
strength to all who seek it.
No man without his
own consent can be overcome by Satan.
The tempter has no
power to control the will or to force the soul to sin.
He may distress, but
he cannot contaminate.
He can cause agony,
but not defilement.
The fact that Christ
has conquered should inspire his followers with courage to fight manfully the
battle against sin and Satan.'
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