The Adversary

The Adversary

To a certain extent most people realize that Satan is our enemy and adversary, and that he resists us when it concerns our well-being and our salvation. But it is less well known that we have an adversary for salvation and for our well-being.

Therefore it is written that “‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Jas. 4:6-7.

God resists the proud! God is the adversary of the proud, but He is the Savior and Protector of the humble!

“Now He Himself gave [to the church] some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors [shepherds] and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ . . . .” Eph. 4:11-12. These are in Christ’s stead, serving, as though God were pleading through them. 2 Cor. 5:20.

They are in God’s stead, these adversaries of the proud, besides being the adversaries of all flesh and all foolishness. All those who are one with all sin in any form, wittingly or unwittingly, will sense resistance from these servants of God until they bow and are willing to be saved.

Jesus says, “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.” Matt. 5:25-26.

In other words, it is for your eternal well-being and salvation that you are surrendering to your adversary whom God has given to you as an aid to help you advance on the way. If, in spite of this help, you are obstinate, and the adversary still forgives you and bears you so that you charge ahead, praying and testifying among the friends, it is only in order to give you time to humble yourself so it will not go badly with you. And Jesus says that you should be quick to yield to your adversary. For he is your servant and helper in Christ’s stead as long as you are walking with him on the way. From the moment your conduct causes the one who is in Christ’s stead to oppose you, all your sacrifices stop pleasing God. Because Jesus says to leave your gift there before the altar when you realize that he has something against you. Vs. 23-24. This means that your work for God has come to an end until you go to your brother (your adversary) and are reconciled to him. This is God’s commandment and will for us all. “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.” Prov. 28:9.

However, the adversary’s goal is your eternal well-being; he forgives and bears you for the longest time, for your sake. But if Satan has gained such a foothold in you that you inflict harm on others, the adversary will deliver you to the judge (Christ), and Christ will deliver you to the servant or servants, and you will be thrown into prison. The servants are all law-abiding members of the body of Christ.

Now it is each individual’s duty to keep you in prison, and all weakness on this point is a transgression of the law and will be a judgment and chastisement for the one who does it. Chastisement will make the person strong so that he is able to fulfill God’s will on this point as well.

The length of the transgressor’s imprisonment will depend on him. If he is quick to agree, he will be released soon. If not, he will remain in prison until he acquiesces in the judgment or is put out of the church.

The flesh calls this dictatorship, and it also feels like that, for the flesh is evil. But it is liberty, glory, and a time of celebration for the God-fearing because he believes and understands Christ’s laws, which he also loves with all of his heart.

What, then, is the difference between dictatorship and God’s order in the church? The difference is that dictatorship is the desire to rule; i.e., it is evil. But in the church it is the love of Christ and all His goodness that are at work.

From this we realize that this adversarial ministry is of the utmost importance in order to lead souls forward on God’s way, but utter devotion to God and a corresponding strength of spirit are required to fulfill such a ministry.

What is such a ministry in the church meant to further? It shall turn the fathers’ hearts to the children, and the children’s hearts to their fathers. Mal. 4:6. This is so that it will not happen to us as has happened to many; namely, that God’s curse has come over them because they did not heed God’s precepts and keep His word.

Strong men are needed for this ministry. Not only in word, but also strong in spirit, so that the face of an ox (Ezek. 1:10) with all his persistence can become prominent in everyone who serves God for the edification of the church.