第 113 节
作者:闪啊闪      更新:2021-02-21 14:06      字数:9322
  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