The Enmity Between You And The Devil

Genesis 3:14-15

Burt Jones

It is simply not in the consciousness of most twenty-first century men to have an awareness of the reality that the devil is after them. (1 Peter 5:8)

We have fleeting thoughts of Satan's being somehow alive and wearing red long underwear, carrying a pitchfork. We sometimes think, "Oh yes, the devil is lurking about today, but he is not after ME. I have nothing he wants. I am nobody. Why would the devil want ME?" he wants you because you are a potential seed for producing harvest for God in this earth!

God, in speaking of the serpent that had seduced Eve into sin, said that He was going to put enmity between the SEED of the woman and the serpent. The word for seed, zera in Hebrew, is also a word used for the literal sperm of man. The seed of the woman, therefore, was to be a "man-child" descendant of Eve.

This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, but that fulfillment in and through Christ is made manifest in us until Christ comes in the clouds to take the faithful home (Acts 1:9-11). The devil is a defeated foe in the context of eternity, but he has not yet been put away in the context of earthly time, simply because of the absolute justice of our Lord who could have dispensed with him at any time, had he wished. Satan still has access to men, women, boys, and girls to tempt them into sin. he has an opportunity to lay claim on the souls of mankind.

Therefore, there is enmity between you - one of the human seeds borne through the centuries from your great ancestor Eve - and the devil. Paul wrote to the Romans: "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." (Romans 16:20) The hate of the devil is still raging against you.

Enmity is a state of ill-will or hostility. It does not simply come and go. It remains the intent of the devil to destroy you no matter what you do. his nature is the nature of a violent murderer who is actively seeking his next victim (1 Peter 5:8).

The devil is still stalking you. he hates you. he is in a state of perpetual ill will, hostility, and conflict with you whether or not you choose to acknowledge it. he is after your self-esteem, your identity, your mind, your emotions, your wife, your husband, your children, your job, your spirituality, your well-being, your productivity, your health. he is after everything you value and against everything you deem to be decent and good. Ultimately, his goal is the destruction of your eternal spirit.

Throughout the centuries, I know not why, and this is purely a matter of opinion, the warfare of the devil has been primarily aimed at the male child. When Pharaoh looked at the Hebrews and determined that they were becoming too numerous and too powerful, he did not authorize the kill of ALL the Hebrew babies - no, only the male babies (Ex. 1:22). Herod, "When he was mocked sent forth and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in the borders thereof, from two years and under..." (Matt.2:16). The devil does not mind your simply coming to worship; he just does not want worship to come to you.

In traveling about the nation in years past, I have seen great men and women in great works tested as never before as they begin to do the work of the Lord. This activity disturbs Satan. Hungering and thirsting after righteousness causes the devil to be knocked reeling as in a heavy weight brawl. Being in proper relationship with God, having rendered obedience to the gospel of the Lord, is the only way to remain secure in the face of the continual assault of the devil. How are you doing?

Take note that the name Satan and related names and pronouns are not capitalized. I choose not to acknowledge him, even to the point of violating grammatical rules. P.O. 985, Moundsville, WV 26041.

 

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