Chapter 30 : Enmity Between Man and Satan

“I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between

thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise

his heel.” [Genesis 3:15.] The divine sentence pronounced against

Satan after the fall of man, was also a prophecy, embracing all the

ages to the close of time, and foreshadowing the great conflict to

engage all the races of men who should live upon the earth.

God declares, “I will put enmity.” This enmity is not naturally

entertained. When man transgressed the divine law, his nature

became evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with

Satan. There exists naturally no enmity between sinful man and

the originator of sin. Both became evil through apostasy. The

apostate is never at rest, except as he obtains sympathy and support

by inducing others to follow his example. For this reason, fallen

angels and wicked men unite in desperate companionship. Had

not God specially interposed, Satan and man would have entered

into an alliance against Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity

against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in

opposition to God.

Satan tempted man to sin, as he had caused angels to rebel, that

he might thus secure co-operation in his warfare against Heaven.

There was no dissension between himself and the fallen angels as

regards their hatred of Christ; while on all other points there was

discord, they were firmly united in opposing the authority of the

Ruler of the universe. But when Satan heard the declaration that

[506] 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.

Satan’s enmity against the human race is kindled, because,

through Christ, they are the objects of God’s love and mercy. He desires

to thwart the divine plan for man’s redemption, to cast dishonor

upon God, by defacing and defiling his handiwork; he would cause

grief in Heaven, and fill the earth with woe and desolation. And he

points to all this evil as the result of God’s work in creating man.

It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates

in man 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 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

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 [507]

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 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.” 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

[508] 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; [509]

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.

[510] 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.