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How to Meet Temptation, September 25
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.
James 1:2
.
If this [falling into divers temptations] is our privilege, and we cannot think
that the apostle has led us astray, then let us by faith appropriate the promises of
God to us.
“That ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The Word does not
say, “Count it all joy when ye fall
under
temptations,” but “when ye fall
into
temptations.” It is not necessary, because you fall into temptations, that you should
fall under them. But it is a comfort to know when you fall into temptation that
you are sons and daughters of God, and that the trying of your faith worketh—ill
will, murmuring, fretfulness? No, patience! And this is an evidence to us that we
are sons and daughters of God, if the trying of our faith worketh patience. But
Jesus will help us because we look to God for our support and strength in every
emergency.
We learn a lesson in these trials.... “Therefore being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by
faith into this grace wherein stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And
not only so, but 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” (
Romans 5:1-5
). But many are inclined to think, as
these temptations fall upon us, that we must give up in discouragement, that we
have no power to overcome. This is unbelief. We become weak because we fall
under temptation and sin against God with our lips in talking discouragements
and doubts, and talk on the off side and not on the side of hope and faith. You
know Christ has had all these temptations. He was tempted in all points as we
are. Christ says: “For the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me”
(
John 14:30
)....
As a people we are looking for our Lord to come in the clouds of heaven with
power and great glory. How careful should we be to examine ourselves to see
whether we be in the faith. There seems to be a mist hanging before the eyes of
many that they cannot really discern spiritual things and the workings of Satan
which threaten to entrap and ruin us. Christians will not be the slaves of passions;
they will be controlled by the Spirit of Christ. When they get into perplexity they
will not lose patience and faith and hope. The Lord Jesus has helped us out of peril
and oppressive difficulties and perplexities hitherto, and He can help us out of our
present trials.—
Manuscript 20, September 25, 1887
, a talk given at a workers’
meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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