How to Meet Temptations
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have preserved them from these temptations by leading them to shun
the critical, dangerous position in which they placed themselves.
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Although the promises of God are not to be rashly claimed by us
when we recklessly rush into danger, violating the laws of nature, and
disregarding prudence, and the judgment with which God has endowed
us, we should not lose courage when temptations come upon us. If we
do not knowingly place ourselves in the way of temptation, it is our
privilege to claim the promise of the inspired word: “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.”
Those who have weighty responsibilities to bear in connection
with the work of God are the ones that will be beset with the strongest
temptations. If Satan can cause them to waver from the right, he not
only takes away their own strength, but he destroys their influence for
good over others. They lose their confidence in God, and feel that they
hardly dare approach him in prayer; for they are under condemnation.
Acting upon the principle that Christ presented in his prayer, “I sanctify
myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth,” they
should take the position that they will be steadfast to God under every
circumstance, that they may exert an influence to make others steadfast.
The temptations of Satan are manifold; but those to which our
attention is called in the text are unbelief and impatience. “Knowing
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” Impatience, then, is
the result of a lack of faith. “But let patience have her perfect work, that
ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” If we do not maintain
the grace of patience, we shall never reach a state of perfection. Some
of us have a nervous temperament, and are naturally as quick as a flash
to think and to act; but let no one think that he cannot learn to become
patient. Patience is a plant that will make rapid growth if carefully
cultivated. By becoming thoroughly acquainted with ourselves, and
then combining with the grace of God a firm determination on our
part, we may be conquerors, and become perfect in all things, wanting
in nothing.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to
all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” It
is our privilege in our great weakness to take hold of the strength of
the Mighty One. If we think to meet and overcome the enemy in our