August 19

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

JAMES IV. 7.

Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. — MART. IV. 10.

EVERY temptation of Satan is an attempt on his part to usurp what belongs to God. Christ could not worship him, for worship belongs to God alone. To obey Satan's least command is to disobey God. Whatsoever we give to Satan in the way of worship or service we take from God.

Satan is insolently aggressive, and the more dangerous because so. Look at his persistent assault on Christ. Our Lord was angered by his persistency: it is too often successful with us. Instead of growing friendlier with Satan's repetitions of temptation, let us consider each a greater insult than the preceding. The presence of Satan is an abomination to a pure one. He is the sum of evils. His smooth insinuations should excite horror, instead of winning us. We should be afraid to listen to his flattering promises. To effectually rid ourselves of Satan we must peremptorily order him out of our sight. He will blind and inveigle us if we permit him to ply us, — for he can appear as an angel of light. One who temporizes with Satan voluntarily puts himself in his power.

Hence, Prince of darkness! hence, my foe!

Another Lord has purchased me:

My conscience tells of sin, yet know,

Baptized in Christ, I fear not thee.

J. J. RAMBACH