But from the unwilling lips of the prophet , the Spirit of God declared the prosperity of His chosen , and rebuked the folly and malice of their foes : " Blessed is he that blesseth thee , and cursed is he that curseth thee ." Numbers 23:8 , 10 , 20 , 21 , 23 ; 24:9 .
The people of Israel were at this time loyal to God ; and so long as they continued in obedience to His law , no power in earth or hell could prevail against them . But the curse which Balaam had not been permitted to pronounce against God ' s people , he finally succeeded in bringing upon them by seducing them into sin . When they transgressed God ' s commandments , then they separated themselves from Him , and they were left to feel the power of the destroyer . Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is more than a match for the hosts of darkness , and that , should he reveal himself openly , he would be met and resisted . Therefore he seeks to draw away the soldiers of the cross from their strong fortification , while he lies in ambush with his forces , ready to destroy all who venture upon his ground . Only in humble reliance upon God , and obedience to all His commandments , can we be secure .
No man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer . Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand His word . Here are revealed the wiles of the tempter and the means by which he may be successfully resisted . Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture , placing his own interpretation upon passages , by which he hopes to cause us to stumble . We should study the Bible with humility of heart , never losing sight of our dependence upon God . While we must constantly guard against the devices of Satan , we should pray in faith continually : " Lead us not into temptation ."
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