The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 511

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.

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