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We Have an Enemy

Cover of Smith’s The Believer’s Daily Remembrancer

Today's Devotional

An enemy has done this—Matthew 13:28 (ESV).

The Christian has many foes, but there is one who is emphatically called, “The ENEMY.” He is the god of this world; all worship him except those whom Jesus has delivered from him. He is the prince of the power of the air, he rules over and works in all unbelievers. He is a subtle serpent, endeavoring to deceive; a roaring lion, seeking to devour. He has the power of death. He gains access to our hearts and is always attempting to lead us astray. He is well versed in Scripture and will often quote it in order to misapply it; he will use one part to fill us with terror, another to lead us to make light of sin. He is always planning how he shall injure us, and is incessantly trying to draw us from God. Beloved, there is no safety for us but at the feet of Jesus; it is only as we abide in him, and walk with him, that we can overcome Satan. Our weapons are the blood of the Lamb, and the word of the divine testimony; faith seizes the perfect work of Christ as its shield, and the word of God as its sword, and thus overcomes the infernal foe. Let us put on the WHOLE ARMOR of God.

About the author and the source

Rev. James Smith was a Baptist preacher and the predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London (1841–1850). His devotional, The Believer’s Daily Remembrancer, was so popular, it had gone through 38 editions by 1864. 

James Smith. The Believer’s Daily Remembrancer. New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1864.

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