The Enemy

‘For over a century now, belief in the devil has seemed to be on the way out.  The toothy red imp with the tail and the trident has become a secular figure of fun, while Protestant theologians generally have banished the personal devil of the Bible to the lumber-room reserved for broken-down myths.  No doubt this state of affairs is just what the devil has been working for, since it allows him to operate now on the grandest scale without being either detected or opposed.’ (J. I. Packer)

Even if they believe in God, a growing number of people do not believe in the devil at all; it’s a peculiar thing, says Spurgeon, when a man is persuaded not to believe in his own father!

‘We are opposed by a living, intelligent, resourceful and cunning enemy who can outlive the oldest Christian, outwork the busiest, out-fight the strongest and outwit the wisest’ (John Blanchard)

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil—Heb 2.14

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:57