March 18

Truly, if Satan had no other way to work his will on us except by taking advantage of our frail constitutions, he would still have a great advantage. I grieve to see the soul fallen so far beneath its divine origin! The body, which was intended to be its servant, has instead become its master, and rules with a merciless hand.

Regardless, Satan is not limited to harassing our bodies to get to our souls. He has a nearer way of access. When man first fell, he splintered his soul's barricade against sin and left the way wide open for the spirit Satan to enter, bag and baggage, and make himself at home. He would not leave a soul on earth uninhabited if God did not call a halt to the procession. Christ's saving and keeping power is the only thing that protects anyone from this intruder.

Satan is crafty and admires the wisdom of God, so he works in the wicked in much the same way God works in His saints. God works effectaully in the saints (Galatians 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:13); Satan works effectaully in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). But the fruits of their labor bear no resemblance at all. The Spirit brings knowledge and righteousness to the saint's heart (Ephesians 5:9), while Satan brings envy and all unrighteousness to the wicked. The Holy Spirit fills with comfort; Satan fills with terror-- as with Judas, who first became traitor to his Master and later hangman to himself.

If you are a saint, you do not deed to fear that Satan will infiltrate your soul. God will not permit it. But the devil can and does attack along the borders of your faith. Though you are not the proper subject of his power, you are and always will be the chief object of his wrath. He wrestles with you at every opportunity, and you will only overcome him as long as God supplies His strength in your behalf.

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