Divine Enmity in the Soul

[Thompson, Darryl]

Divine Enmity in the Soul 

     And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy
seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his
heel. Gen. 3:15. 

     Adam and Eve stood as criminals before their God, awaiting the
sentence which transgression had incurred. But before they hear of the
thorn and the thistle, the sorrow and anguish which should be their
portion, and the dust to which they should return, they listen to words
which must have inspired them with hope. Though they must suffer . . . ,
they might look forward to ultimate victory. 

     God declares, "I will put enmity." This enmity is supernaturally
put, and not naturally entertained. When man sinned, his nature became
evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan. The lofty
usurper, having succeeded in seducing our first parents as he had
seduced angels, counted on securing their allegiance and cooperation in
all his enterprises against the government of Heaven. . . . But when
Satan heard that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head,
he knew that though he had succeeded in depraving human nature . . . ,
yet by some mysterious process God would restore to man his lost power,
and enable him to resist and overcome his conqueror. 

     It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul that creates the
enmity against Satan. Without this grace, man would continue the captive
of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. The new principle in
the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which
Christ imparts, enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper. Whenever a
man is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, when he resists and
conquers those passions that have held sway within, there is seen the
operation of a principle wholly from above. The Holy Spirit must be
constantly imparted to man, or he has no disposition to contend against
the powers of darkness.  

Shall we not accept the enmity which Christ has placed between man and
the serpent? . . . We have a right to say, In the strength of Jesus
Christ I will be a conqueror. 

>From That I May Know Him - Page 16