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enmity should exist between himself and the woman, and between
his seed and her seed, he knew that his efforts to deprave human
nature would be interrupted; that by some means man was to be
enabled to resist his power.
The grace that Christ implants in the soul creates the enmity
against Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power,
man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do
his bidding. But the new principle in the soul creates conflict where
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Enmity Between Man and Satan
217
hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ imparts, enables
man to resist the tyrant and usurper. Whoever is seen to abhor sin
instead of loving it, whoever resists and conquers those passions that
have held sway within, displays the operation of a principle wholly
from above.
The antagonism that exists between the spirit of Christ and the
spirit of Satan was most strikingly displayed in the world’s reception
of Jesus. It was not so much because he appeared without worldly
wealth, pomp, or grandeur, that the Jews were led to reject him. They
saw that he possessed power which would more than compensate for
the lack of these outward advantages. But the purity and holiness of
Christ called forth against him the hatred of the ungodly. His life of
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self-denial and sinless devotion was a perpetual reproof to a proud,
sensual people. It was this that evoked enmity against the Son of
God. Satan and evil angels joined with evil men. All the energies of
apostasy conspired against the champion of truth.
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 si
of Christ and the servants of Satan ca
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 his followers. All this is
foreshadowed in that first prophecy, “I will put enmity between thee
and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” Such is the
work that will be carried forward in the great controversy between
Christ and Satan to the close of time.
Satan summons all his forces, and throws his whole power into
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the combat. Why is it that he meets with no greater resistance? Why
are the soldiers of Christ so sleepy and indifferent?—Because they
do not realize their peril. There is but 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 councils, in the courts of justice, perplexing, de-
ceiving, seducing, everywhere ruining the souls and bodies of men,
women, and children, breaking up families, sowing hatred, emula-
tion, 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
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breaking down the barriers which separate them from the world. An-
cient Israel were enticed into sin when they ventured into forbidden
association with the heathen. In a similar ma
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 bandage across their eyes. They ca
calculated to do them harm, and while all the time assimilating to
the world in character, words, and actions, they are becoming more
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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