February 20, 1913

Resisting Temptation

EGW

The people of God have allowed many things to come in between their souls and God, and their thoughts of God have been far below what it is their privilege to have. They are not on the high vantage-ground where God would have them, and they should realize this keenly, that they may repent and turn to God with all the heart. It is sad to think that though they have professed the truth for these many years, many have failed to understand how to take God at his word, that they may be strengthened in the time of temptation.RH February 20, 1913, par. 1

Temptation will come upon all the children of God. James writes: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The Word does not say that we are to count it all joy when we fall under temptation, but when we fall into temptation. It is not necessary to fall under temptation, for temptation comes upon us for the trying of our faith. And the trying of our faith worketh patience, not fretfulness and murmuring. If we put our trust in Jesus, he will keep us at all times, and will be our strength and shield. We are to learn valuable lessons from our trials. Paul says: “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”RH February 20, 1913, par. 2

Many seem to think that it is impossible not to fall under temptation, that they have no power to overcome; and they sin against God with their lips, talking discouragement and doubt, instead of faith and courage. Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. He said, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” What does this mean?—It means that the prince of evil could find no vantage-ground in Christ for his temptation; and so it may be with us. “For we have not a high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”RH February 20, 1913, par. 3

As a people we are looking for the coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven, and how carefully should we examine our hearts, that we may know whether or not we are in the faith. There seems to be a mist before the eyes of many, for they fail to discern spiritual things, and do not recognize the workings of Satan to entrap their souls. Christians are not to be the slaves of passion: they are to be controlled by the Spirit of God. But many become the sport of the enemy, because when temptation comes they do not rest in Jesus, but worry themselves out of his arms, and in perplexity lose all their faith and courage. They do not remember that Jesus has helped them out of difficulties in the past, that his grace is sufficient for the daily trials, and that he can help in the present trouble. We make failures in our little, daily difficulties, and allow them to irritate and vex us; we fall under them, and so make stumbling-blocks for ourselves and others. But blessings of the greatest importance are to result from the patient endurance of these daily vexations, for we are to gain strength to bear greater difficulties. Satan will press upon us the most severe temptations, and we must learn to come to God in any and every emergency, as a child would come to its parents.RH February 20, 1913, par. 4

We profess to be Bible Christians, and we are not left in the dark to take step after step in uncertainty. We are to know where we are going. We can not be in darkness if we are following Christ as our leader; for he says, “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” When the way seems beset with difficulty and clouded with darkness, we must believe that there is light ahead, and not turn to the right or left, but press forward, notwithstanding all our trials and temptations.RH February 20, 1913, par. 5

Take courage, tempted soul, for the Lord knoweth them that are his. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Keep talking faith, and the victory is yours; for “this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Jesus has said we should not walk in darkness, but should have the light of life, and we believe it. We are to keep talking of the light, to keep praying and believing, and the light will break upon us when our faith has been tried and patience has had its perfect work.RH February 20, 1913, par. 6

We are not to be like the man who said, “I have prayed and prayed, but I do not receive.” A companion said to him, “Let us pray together, then, and claim the promise of God.” So they bowed in prayer; but when they rose from their knees, the man said, “I don't feel any different, and I didn't expect I should.” This is the way that many present themselves before God; they would be surprised if God should answer their prayers. They do not expect the Lord to answer their prayers, nor think that the Lord will hear them, and their petitions are in vain; for they go away as they came.RH February 20, 1913, par. 7