The Great Controversy
by Ellen G. White
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. {GC
505.1}
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. {GC 505.2}
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 [506] 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. {GC
505.3}
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. {GC 506.1}
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. {GC
506.2}
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. [507] {GC 506.3}
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. {GC 507.1}
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. {GC
507.2}
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, [508] 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. {GC 507.3}
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. {GC
508.1}
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. [509] {GC 508.2}
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. {GC
509.1}
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. {GC 509.2}
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]
{GC 509.3}
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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 be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11. {GC 510.1}
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. {GC 510.2}
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. {GC 510.3}
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"Agency of Evil Spirits"
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