Avoid Temptation

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1911

A RECKLESS man in a zoological garden once seized a venomous serpent by the nape of the neck, and held it up before his companions. The man thought he had the serpent wholly in his power. But it began to coil its long body about his arm, and then slowly to tighten its grasp, until the man in agony was obliged to drop his hold of its neck. Quickly then it turned and bit him, and soon the man was dead.

He thought he was strong enough to play with the serpent, and then thrust it from him when wearied of the play. Many think they are strong enough to play with temptation of any sort; but they find, sooner or later, that the temptation has mastered them. “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation,” said Christ. It is the entering into temptation that is to be guarded against. — Morning Star.