janbear
02-20-2007, 07:03 PM
We Will Be Tempted
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted of the devil."
--Matthew 4:1
A Holy character does not avert temptation--Jesus
was tempted. When Satan tempts us, his sparks
fall upon tinder; but in Christ's case, it was
like striking sparks on water; yet the enemy
continued his evil work. Now, if the devil goes
on striking when there is no result, how much
more will he do it when he knows what inflammable
stuff our hearts are made of. Though you become
greatly sanctified by the Holy Ghost, expect that
the great dog of hell will bark at you still. In
the haunts of men we expect to be tempted, but
even seclusion will not guard us from the same
trial. Jesus Christ was led away from human
society into the wilderness, and was tempted of
the devil.
Solitude has its charms and its benefits, and may
be useful in checking the lust of the eye and the
pride of life; but the devil will follow us into
the most lovely retreats. Do not suppose that it
is only the worldly-minded who have dreadful
thoughts and blasphemous temptations, for even
spiritual-minded persons endure the same; and in
the holiest position we may suffer the darkest
temptation. The utmost consecration of spirit
will not insure you against Satanic temptation.
Christ was consecrated through and through. It
was His meat and drink to do the will of Him that
sent Him: and yet He was tempted! Your hearts may
glow with a seraphic flame of love to Jesus, and
yet the devil will try to bring you down to
Laodicean lukewarmness. If you will tell me when
God permits a Christian to lay aside his armour,
I will tell you when Satan has left off
temptation. Like the old knights in war time, we
must sleep with helmet and breastplate buckled
on, for the arch-deceiver will seize our first
unguarded hour to make us his prey. The Lord keep
us watchful in all seasons, and give us a final
escape from the jaw of the lion and the paw of
the bear.
BacktotheBible
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted of the devil."
--Matthew 4:1
A Holy character does not avert temptation--Jesus
was tempted. When Satan tempts us, his sparks
fall upon tinder; but in Christ's case, it was
like striking sparks on water; yet the enemy
continued his evil work. Now, if the devil goes
on striking when there is no result, how much
more will he do it when he knows what inflammable
stuff our hearts are made of. Though you become
greatly sanctified by the Holy Ghost, expect that
the great dog of hell will bark at you still. In
the haunts of men we expect to be tempted, but
even seclusion will not guard us from the same
trial. Jesus Christ was led away from human
society into the wilderness, and was tempted of
the devil.
Solitude has its charms and its benefits, and may
be useful in checking the lust of the eye and the
pride of life; but the devil will follow us into
the most lovely retreats. Do not suppose that it
is only the worldly-minded who have dreadful
thoughts and blasphemous temptations, for even
spiritual-minded persons endure the same; and in
the holiest position we may suffer the darkest
temptation. The utmost consecration of spirit
will not insure you against Satanic temptation.
Christ was consecrated through and through. It
was His meat and drink to do the will of Him that
sent Him: and yet He was tempted! Your hearts may
glow with a seraphic flame of love to Jesus, and
yet the devil will try to bring you down to
Laodicean lukewarmness. If you will tell me when
God permits a Christian to lay aside his armour,
I will tell you when Satan has left off
temptation. Like the old knights in war time, we
must sleep with helmet and breastplate buckled
on, for the arch-deceiver will seize our first
unguarded hour to make us his prey. The Lord keep
us watchful in all seasons, and give us a final
escape from the jaw of the lion and the paw of
the bear.
BacktotheBible