Temptation | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 11, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 43.

Temptation.

Temptation is a condition of human life. Every period of life, every class in society, every occupation and calling, duties as well as pleasures, work as well as rest, contain within them the elements of incessant temptation, which is at once our folly to ignore, our discipline to encounter, and our glory to overcome.

It is no sin to be tempted; for Jesus, the sinless one, was tempted in all things like as we are, yet without sin. It is no weakness to feel the temptation grievous, for Jesus again "suffered, being tempted." Heb. 2:18. The mistake is to run into temptation of our own accord. The sin is in listening to the voice of the charmer until our hearts go out after that which is forbidden. The weakness is in our great terror at the noise of the waves and the darkness of the sky, to gaze upon the danger till we are rapidly sinking into it, and till it is almost too late to call out to him who rides upon the storm, "Lord, save us; we perish!" Matt. 8:25.

Yet if our enemies are here, our Saviour is here as well. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." Prov. 18:10. If the assaults of the enemy all but exhaust us, and, like Christian and Apollyon, our sword flies out of our hand when we need it most, and the battle is all but decided against us, at the last moment the way to escape shall appear, that we may be able to bear it; for "when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." Isa. 59:19.

The table in the wilderness is spread by the Lord's own hand. He who provided a morning meal by the Lake of Galilee for his seven disciples, wearied by their night's toil; he who fed the five thousand on their way to the Passover because he pitied them as sheep having no shepherd, will be to his own tempted and wearied servants what the good Samaritan was to the wounded traveler, healing their wounds, supplying their needs, and comforting their hearts.—Sel.