WRESTLING AGAINST TEMPTATION
By I. E. Kimball
WORDS can not express the importance of wrestling for victory and salvation. The injunctions to this will be remembered by all who read the Bible. But just why the Lord requires it, and wherein good comes to us, is not understood by many Christians. Indeed, we have now reached a time when many seem utterly unable to wrestle in any way. A weak, effeminate spirit is in them, and they seem unable to contend with the evils of this life. Even the worldly man must wrestle to find standing room in this world; but how much more the Christian, who realizes that legions of wicked spirits surround him constantly, poisoning his spiritual atmosphere with unbelief, error, and the polluted wisdom of this world, seeking wholly to hedge up his way and thwart his endeavor. These spirits are real, spiritual powers, seeking constantly to destroy our life or our usefulness, and to hold us back from the kingdom of God. Every moment life is at stake, and their efforts are unceasingly put forth to destroy our influence, and curtail our efforts for good. This may be mystical to some; but it is terribly real to others. In a thousand ways they are hindered, and much of their effort is seemingly neutralized. Jacob wrestled against death all the night long, and obtained a priceless victory; but that experience was intended of God not merely for Jacob’s sake, but to teach us; to give us an example of wrestling against the enemy all night long—the night of this world’s lamentable ignorance and woe. Wrestling for a day, or earnest prayer for a little season, followed by carelessness, amounts to nothing. But Jacob’s victory is a sign and pledge of what God will do for every earnest, whole-hearted Christian warrior. Christ’s temptation is recorded for our sakes, so we may draw the most consoling instruction from it; for he who tempted Christ is our tempter. The particular points in Christ’s temptation are the particular ones wherein we are tried. I have many times wondered about Christ’s long fast, and how He gained the victory for us on the point of appetite. It was indeed a personal test to Him. But Christ’s great heart of love went out for all humanity, and He was fighting that death struggle for us, forgetful of himself. To be sure, He left us an example, to walk in His steps. He gave the key to victory. But I might fast forty days, as did Dr. Tanner, and then give myself to gluttony. Surely in this I should gain nothing. But I think I now see clearly the wonderful grace purchased for us in that long fast in the wilderness of Judea. Satan causes the millions of to-day to doubt God’s grace, thinking they live by bread only. Many times our messengers in all parts of the field find men unwilling to obey the word of God, not knowing whence their bread will come if they do; and many who begin to keep the Sabbath give up in despair, and begin again to work on that day, thinking they will starve if they do not. This was the very point on which ancient Israel in the wilderness failed. When hunger was allowed to come to them, they murmured, and in heart turned back to Egypt. “He suffered thee to hunger,” says the record, “and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” This was the lesson, and this Christ fully demonstrated in His temptation, showing to all men that when it is a question of where their bread shall come from, if they obey God’s word the Lord will surely open the door of hope to them. “The captive exile shall speedily be loosed; and he shall not die and go down into the pit, neither shall his bread fail.” Isa. 51:14, R. V. Christ’s temptation was far more severe than ours can ever be. We may be fully assured that our God will provide a table in the wilderness for those who will not depart from His word when all means of support is cut off because of their faithfulness. Herein is wrestling, but sure victory and salvation. Glory to the God of Israel, and let His saints praise Him forever!