Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-09-14
CHRISTIAN ENpEavoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Wssk
Beginning Sept. 10, 1910.

Prayer meeting TOPIC For the Wees
Beginning Sept. ia, 1910.
Topic. the devil. Howr-jas. ".
1-10; / Pet v. { ;. Edited by Rev. Shsr-
man II. Doyle. u. d.
There are many references In the
word Of God to the devil. The word
devil" means 'slanderer," and In this
particular we see his name illustrated
in the book of Job, where he ISLANDERS
Job before God. The name Satan.
20 frequently applied to him. means
adversary" In the temptation Of Eve
this ID the word that Is used. simply
adversary" But Satan is particular
II the adversary Of the human soul.
Having lost his own spiritual position
In relation to God. he Is everlasttngiy
engaged in leading the souls Of men
and women astray. that they may be
a. he is. This Is also characteristic
Of those whom Satan has won to sin
and evil. We would imagine that
those who have fallen into sin and
have experienced its consequences
would strive to warn others and to
keep them from falling. But alas, In
most cases they delight to draw them
down to their own level. 1t Is mon
strous trait of an evil one, yet 1t Is
true. The spirit of the devil In this re-
spect seems to possess them. How nee
essary, therefore, to resist the devil.
not even for our own sakes. but to es-
cape such a doom as delighting In
running the eternal souls Of others.
The origin Of the devil is not greatly
dwelt upon in the Scriptures. 1t is,
however. distinctly taught that he is
q real spiritual being, once an angel
from heaven who was cast out Of heav-
en- for some sin, probably the sin OF
ambition. as Milton declares in Para
disc Lost" The Bible does teach that
the devil Is spiritual being, pos
sessing a power far above man and
possessing great skill and tact In at
lacking the weak places in mans spir-
itual character. Your adversary, the
devil, walketh about, seeking whom
he may devour." II he were a phys
ical foe we might not fear him SO
much, but being a powerful, unseen
enemy, knowing Just when and how to
attack lis, we do indeed need to be
constantly on our guard against him
and his associates. the evil spirits of
sinful men.
How are we to resist the devil? We
should, that is sure, for James says,
Resist the devil and he VIII fee from
you" EVIL in any form Is usually
cowardly. Satan and sinful men seek
easy victims, but are afraid Of strong,
vigilant souls. We should therefore
resist him. a. By submitting our souls
10 God. Then, with the armor Of God
around US, God VIII fight our battles,
and God is more powerful than the
devid. e. By prayer. In temptation &c
to God In prayer. Draw night unto
God. and the nearer you go to Him the
farther you win go from the devil
o. Be on your guard at all tines BE
sober, be vigilant," resisting the devil
In the faith. "a FIJI your life with
good thoughts and good deeds and the
devil win have no chance to success
fully tempt you. "Cease to do evil BY
learning to do well" Humble your
selves In the sight of the Lord and He
will draw thee up" 90 Use the Scrip
ture as a sword Of offense and de
Tense. 1t is double edged and can dc
great harm. Thus Christ beat Cd
Satan in the great temptation. Satar
used the Scripture. falsely interpret
ed, as he and his associates 50 otter
attempt today In the warfare against
Christ. But Christ understood ths
Bible too well for him. In each In
stance Christ used also the sword o,
the Spirit, the Bible, only He thrust Il
q little deeper into the adversary, and
after the third clash of arms the devi
led from Him. and angels admins
tered to Christ.
BIBLE READINGS.
Gen. iii, 1-12; Job l, go; Ps- Il
Prov. 1. 1919; Matt, vi, ID: Mark xiv
80; Luke iv, 13; Matt. ~, Ill; Eph- vi
1919; John Ill, s. 8; v, 1922; Phil. Nv
IS; Rom. xvi, 20; Jude 8.