Reading: Genesis 3:15

When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden he made a pact with the devil. The scripture speaks of his descendants then as children of the devil (John 8:44; cf. Ephesians 2:2).

“But God, who is rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4) interrupted this relationship and put something between them that would keep them apart. The promise of “enmity” wedged between Satan and men was spoken to Satan as part of his condemnation, but it was spoken for man’s benefit.  It was the first promise of the gospel; a promise of separation from Satan, the destroyer of souls.

Enmity is the key word here; it means hostility. Love is the word of the age, but the love that many speak about is indiscriminate. Gospel love—true, biblical love—invariably and necessarily includes its counterpart, hatred for sin and Satan. God has given us this hatred; it is a holy hatred and if it is absent, then love for God is also absent (James 4:4).

There is a working hostility, like an unhappy marriage, between the ungodly and Satan. Many ungodly people hate particular sins and would even disown allegiance to Satan as Eve does when she accuses Satan in verse 13. This union is a house divided because ungodliness is intrinsically selfish.

What hope God holds out to hopeless sinners held in the grip of an unhappy union with Satan! God says, “I will put enmity”; I will break that union and give you a holy hatred for sin and power over Satan. This hatred of sin and destruction of Satan is the blessing of every child. Paul encouraged the Christians in Rome (16:20): “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

“God … will not lightly or easily lose His people. He has provided well for us: blood to wash us in, a Priest to pray for us, that we may be made to persevere, and in case we foully fall, an advocate to plead our cause.” John Bunyan

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