p. 202 | TEMPTATION by Thirza M. Foster

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 2, 1867

TEMPTATION.

By Thirza M. Foster

In reading the history of our first parents, we find that when Eve had disobeyed God, and yielded to the temptation of the devil; she partook of his evil spirit, and herself became a tempter. She was then prepared to entice her husband, and he in turn, seduced by the woman, ate of the forbidden fruit, and also fell. From that fatal day, to this, fallen men have prosecuted the work of tempting their fellow men to disobey the commands of their Creator. Whenever any of our race use means to draw men into rebellion against the law of God, they are not only tempted, but in the sight of God, they are tempters. Husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and neighbors, often tempt each other. The man who puts the bottle to his neighbor's lips, and induces him to take strong drink is a tempter; and God has pronounced a woe upon that man. The person who violates the seventh command of the Decalogue, is justly denominated a seducer or tempter. Ministers and teachers tempt the people, when they employ arguments, or persuasions to lead them into error. According to the extent of their influence and power, is the increase of their guilt. When magistrates has recorded such an instance, in the history of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. It is said of him, that he “drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin.” See 2 Kings xvii, 21. He required them to forsake the altar of the Lord, and worship before the images which he had set up. Though his requiring disobedience of the second command of the decalogue, became sanctioned by the usage of many years, it was nothing better than a legalized temptation to sin. For his iniquitous commandment, a foul blot is forever fixed upon his character.

Now many centuries have elapsed, since the Man of Sin, the son of perdition “made a law” substituting the first day of the week, in place of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. But its long continuance, and great prevalence does not make it any the more innocent. The statute enacted by the Supreme government enforcing the observance of the seventh-day as the Sabbath of the Lord, for man to remember and keep holy, is still in force, and lays its obligation upon the whole human race, as much to-day as it did when Jehovah proclaimed it upon mount Sinai, and wrote it with his own finger upon the table of stone. Though by the authority of man, we may be legally enticed to profane the Sabbath, let us not like Israel in the days of Jeroboam, consent to sin. As the perils of the last days are thickening around us, evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse. We must be vigilant to escape their evil devices. Let us make it a decided rule, never to engage in any act, or yield obedience to any authority, that is not in exact accordance with the teachings of God's word. If we do this, we shall not only work out our own salvation, but by the blessing of God, our influence may aid in the salvation of others. Jesus will keep us from the hour of temptation which is coming to try them that dwell upon the earth, and we shall not fall. Then while we thank God for present deliverances, with trembling we can rejoice in hope, looking forward to the day of the Lord, when seducing spirits, and evil doers, shall be cut off. Then our victory will be final and complete. Jesus will be King over all the earth. All nations will serve and obey him, and peace shall be upon Israel forevermore.

THIRZA M. FOSTER.

Vienna, Wis.