bestowed on this wisest of kings only rendered him a more effective agent of the adversary of souls . 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 armour 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 .
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