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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
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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 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。
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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 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 evil angels；
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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。
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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