PERHAPS there is no more solemn evidence of the power which Satan, out terrible adversary, exercises at the present time, than that which may be found in the fact that he so successfully keeps himself out of sight, that his name is but rarely heard, and his existence seems so often to be almost forgotten or ignored, even among Christians; yet nothing is more certain than that his wiles are spread to ensnare us, his fiery darts hurled, in order, if possible, to throw us entirely off the ground of “joy and peace in believing,” and that the warning words, “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8, 98Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8‑9); Eph. 6:11-1611Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:11‑16)), are as needful now as when they were written. Let us never forget that Satan is our great adversary, and may be permitted of God to tempt us, buffet us, or afflict us.
Some time ago, we were strongly impressed to call on a dear Christian man among the poor of this world. On arriving at his house, we were surprised and grieved at finding him very ill. Then we clearly understood why we had been thus directed to him. In the course of conversation he spoke of a terrible attack of Satan that he had lately had to meet.
“I was feeling very ill,” said he, “and had difficulty to get into bed, when Satan said, ‘You call yourself a Christian! A pretty kind of Christian you to get into bed without even kneeling down, and to spend the whole day as you have without even looking into the Bible. Can such be a Christian?’ I replied, ‘I know it―know it all — and my Father knows it, and knows how ill I am, and has made provision for me under all circumstances, and has accomplished redemption for me in Christ, and through His blood.’”
Now in conflict with Satan our only effectual weapon is standing firmly for the authority of the written word. We lately heard of one who said, “Satan comes to me sometimes, and I say, ‘Get away; I do not want you. Begone!’” We may be quite sure that Satan is not resisted by such words as these, however firmly persisted in, for we are taught to resist him, “steadfast in the faith,” and faith knows no authority but the word of God. Hence we find the Lord Jesus, our perfect example, saying, “It is written,” “It is written,” and the effect was that the devil left Him, and so, we may be sure, shall we always find it―for “our words are human, but God’s word has a divine power.”
We lately visited another well-known Christian, who was not a poor man, but one of the rich in this world. He was very ill; both mind and body had been in a prostrate condition for many days. On one occasion he said, “How does that scripture begin about being reconciled by the death of His Son, and saved by His life? Satan comes to me sometimes three or four times in the night, and I want the word of God to meet him with.” We then repeated the scripture, “If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
“Please, say it again.” We did so.
“Where is it?” “In the fifth chapter of Romans, and tenth verse.”
“Please tell my wife, for perhaps I shall have to ask her two or three times in the night for it. Put a mark against the passage in my Testament. Does not saved by His life mean that such as have been reconciled to God by the death of His Son will be saved right through this present world, out of every snare and difficulty, by the living activity of Christ now in glory?”
“Certainly.”
“Then I am ready for Satan. Thank you much.”
That night he was not disturbed by Satan, and next day, with a smile, said, “I have not forgotten, If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.’”
It is well to remember we are still in the place where Satan goes to and fro in the earth. Though he cannot devour one of Christ’s sheep, yet he can buffet and lead astray by his wiles if we hearken to him, and take away our peace and comfort by his “fiery darts” if we do not resist him “steadfast in the faith.” He may through our unwatchfulness and want of faith scatter the sheep, undermine the truth by attacking it, or by diluting it, and lead us into God-dishonoring ways, if he be not resisted. But one thing which cannot be too firmly impressed upon us is the need of meeting his attacks in faith, for the shield of faith is able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and the written word of God is the sword which the Spirit of God uses. Our blessed Lord was always in communion with the Father, always doing the things which pleased Him, never off His guard―always, as Man, in the perfect life and walk of faith―so that He could say, speaking of Satan, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” But, alas! it is not so with us, and, moreover, we have still an unclean nature in us―that which is born of the flesh―which, when we become unwatchful, is ready to answer to our adversary’s unclean and unholy suggestions. But abiding in Him, who is in the glory, and His word abiding in us, we shall always overcome Satan, and prove that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” H. H. S.