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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
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 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 be 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。
（511）
Chapter 31
Agency of Evil Spirits
The connection of the visible with the invisible world； the ministration of
angels of God； and the agency of evil spirits； are plainly revealed in the
Scriptures； and inseparably interwoven with human history。 There is a
growing tendency to disbelief in the existence of evil spirits； while the
holy angels that 〃minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation〃
（Hebrews 1：14） are regarded by many as spirits of the dead。 But the
Scriptures not only teach the existence of angels； both good and evil； but
present unquestionable proof that these are not disembodied spirits of dead
men。
Before the creation of man； angels were in existence； for when the
foundations of the earth were laid； 〃the morning stars sang together； and
all the sons of God shouted for joy。〃 Job 38：7。 After the fall of man；
angels were sent to guard the tree of life； and this before a human being
had died。 Angels are in nature superior to men； for the psalmist says that
man was made 〃a little lower than the angels。〃 Psalm 8：5。
We are informed in Scripture as to the number； and the power and glory； of
the heavenly beings； of their connection with the government of God； and
also of their relation to the work of redemption。 〃The Lord hath prepared
His throne in the heavens； and His kingdom ruleth over all。〃 And； says the
prophet； 〃I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne。〃 In the
presence chamber of the King of kings
512
they wait〃angels； that excel in strength；〃 〃ministers of His； that do His
pleasure；〃 〃hearkening unto the voice of His word。〃 Psalm 103：19…21；
Revelation 5：11。 Ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands；
were the heavenly messengers beheld by the prophet Daniel。 The apostle Paul
declared them 〃an innumerable company。〃 Daniel 7：10； Hebrews 12：22。 As God's
messengers they go forth； like 〃the appearance of a flash of lightning；〃
（Ezekiel 1：14）； so dazzling their glory； and so swift their flight。 The
angel that appeared at the Saviour's tomb； his countenance 〃like lightning；
and his raiment white as snow；〃 caused the keepers for fear of him to quake；
and they 〃became as dead men。〃 Matthew 28：3； 4。 When Sennacherib； the
haughty Assyrian； reproached and blasphemed God； and threatened Israel with
destruction； 〃it came to pass that night； that the angel of the Lord went
out； and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and fiv