The Work of the Enemy by B. L. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 7, 1871

The Work of the Enemy.

By B. L. W.

Not long since, while listening to a discourse by quite a successful minister of the Baptist denomination to the members of a church among whom he was about to labor, I was forcibly impressed by a remark he made to this effect: “At no time during the history of the church, have the influences which are at work against the cause of God been more positive or persistent than at the present.”

Such is the testimony of one who, although perhaps faithful and earnest in the work of doing good according to the light God has given him, is not holding up the high standard to which God requires his people at this time to conform themselves. We have good reason to believe that were there no people to proclaim to the world a more stirring, heart-searching message than that of the popular religion of the day, there would be less vigilance and activity required on the part of the enemy of all righteousness. But if those who have not the light of the truth designed by God for this time, are forced to acknowledge the untiring zeal and energy, and we might add, the increasing success of the evil one, what reason have we, who have professed to have more light, and to understand and obey the word of God more perfectly, to fear lest we be unprepared to meet the increased wrath and power of the wicked one which those will surely bring against themselves who seek more fully to conform their lives to the divine will.

It has ever been Satan’s work to oppose the truth of God, and hinder those who would serve him. Whenever there has been a people who would stand steadfastly for the truth, toward them has been directed the fiercest efforts of the powers of darkness; and never have those efforts been suspended or abated while there remained a hope that they might be overcome or led to change their purpose. From the time when man, in purity and innocence, was placed in Eden, down through all the history of God’s people to the present time, we have evidence of this bitter, determined, increasing opposition. The crime and iniquity so alarmingly prevalent at the present time, and the depraved mental and physical conditions of mankind show us but too plainly the success which has attended his efforts. So far has man departed from God that his cup of iniquity is nearly full. Not one of all these years of unceasing toil and arduous devotion to his work has failed to add its weight of experience to the artful cunning, and wily deceitfulness, possessed by the great enemy when he made his first attempt to ensnare our race. Against such a foe as this, we, in these days of especial danger, have to contend; and he knows best what means to employ to lead us from the right way.

The servants of God in all ages have been subject to his temptations, and too often have been taken by his devices; but especially will this be true of those who in these evil days are striving to obey God’s holy law and maintain the honor of his word, and feel his wrath; for he has come down with great power, knowing that his time is short.

While there have ever been those who, walking in the light and being led by the spirit of truth, have maintained their special character as the children of God, thousands have fallen a prey to his devices, and yielding to the inclinations of the human heart, have made shipwreck of their faith. What cause, then, have we to fear, lest having the promise left us we shall fail to so overcome that our characters shall stand the test of the Judgment? We may be sure that our weakest points are well known to him, and that our natural dispositions and inclinations will be forced into his service in the warfare for eternal life. No means will be left untried by which he may hope to accomplish our destruction. And how are we prepared to resist his work? What have we to give us hope against such odds? In what may we trust for deliverance from his power? Not in our own hearts, surely. Not in our own weak, erring, human judgment; for this would prove no safeguard against the cunning and deceit of our adversary. Only in the sure promises of God may we trust with safety. But what a tower of strength we have in these When surrounded with temptation, when passing through trials, where we are left to feel the enemy’s power, when perplexed to know what course to take, and what duty is, with what comfort and assurance of hope to the tried soul come these words of promise, “The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way.”

Although the way before us may seem dark and dangerous, though beset with temptation on every hand and surrounded by influences calculated to lead us from the right way, though our hearts may prove treacherous, and frailest where they seem the best, though the world with its allurements may seem to call us from our life of care, watchfulness, and toil, to some promised good to be found in the way of transgression, yet we may be sure that the voice of the Good Shepherd calling us to leave all these and follow him, if obeyed, will prove a safeguard against all the wiles of the deceiver, and will guide us at last to the fold. B. L. W.