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Working for the Intemperate
121
has enjoined nothing that is not necessary in order to bring man into
harmony with Him. We are to point sinners to His ideal of character
and to lead them to Christ, by whose grace only can this ideal be
reached.
The Saviour took upon Himself the infirmities of humanity and
lived a sinless life, that men might have no fear that because of the
weakness of human nature they could not overcome. Christ came to
make us “partakers of the divine nature,” and His life declares that
humanity, combined with divinity, does not commit sin.
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The Saviour overcame to show man how he may overcome.
All the temptations of Satan, Christ met with the word of God.
By trusting in God’s promises, He received power to obey God’s
commandments, and the tempter could gain no advantage. To every
temptation His answer was, “It is written.” So God has given us
His word wherewith to resist evil. Exceeding great and precious
promises are ours, that by these we “might be partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
lust.”
2 Peter 1:4
.
Bid the tempted one look not to circumstances, to the weakness
of self, or to the power of temptation, but to the power of God’s
word. All its strength is ours. “Thy word,” says the psalmist, “have
I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” “By the word
of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.”
Psalm
119:11
;
17:4
.
Talk courage to the people; lift them up to God in prayer. Many
who have been overcome by temptation are humiliated by their
failures, and they feel that it is in vain for them to approach unto
God; but this thought is of the enemy’s suggestion. When they have
sinned, and feel that they cannot pray, tell them that it is then the
time to pray. Ashamed they may be, and deeply humbled; but as
they confess their sins, He
“I can do all things through Christ which strength-
eneth me.” “But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philip-
pians 4:13, 19
.
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