Tempted, Tested, and Succored.
"For in that He himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted."—Heb. 2:18. He was tempted but he did no sin. He "suffered being tempted," but he did no sin. It was bitter suffering which came upon his holy soul as the tempter came and sought to lead him astray, but he yielded not, he did no sin. He is our example. We need not yield when tempted. We cannot help being tempted. It would not be good for us to escape temptation. We may put even this down among the "all things" that work together for our good. Temptation brings out our real character. Our power of endurance can never be known until tried. A true Christian will shine brighter in the midst of fierce temptation, like gold when molten. Only the base need fear testing. You may well be afraid to put acid on the coin which you know to be counterfeit. You will only be too glad, if there be any suggested doubt, to have the good coin tested in this way. If your heart is free from sin you may meet temptation without a fear. It may cause you to suffer, but it cannot harm you. Temptation brings us closer to God. When the Saviour was tempted, he went to the armory of the Christian soldier, and fought the devil with weapons of celestial temper and make. When his followers are tempted they do the same, and that they may wield the weapons well, they plead much with God. The saint's drill is carried on upon his knees. He goes through all his exercises best in that position. He cannot learn the mind of God in any position so well as upon his knees. He cannot ascertain his Captain's orders anywhere so quickly as upon his knees. He cannot wield the sword of the Spirit, nor lift above him the shield of faith, nor present so bold a front to the enemy so well as upon his knees. And when temptations come he feels his need of Divine assistance, and on his knees he gets nearer to God. Thank God for the discipline of temptation. Temptation is not sin. We should learn carefully to distinguish between them. It is sometimes difficult for the most holy to know whether the thought that troubles him is only temptation or whether it is sin—difficult, but not impossible. The breath of prayer will clear the clouded atmosphere, in which it is difficult to see, and cheer the soul, as the cooling wind at eventide refreshes the aching temples of those whose sunburnt brows have borne the burden and heat of the day. Temptation need never lead to sin, for "He is able to succor them that are tempted." He knows the subtilty of temptation; he knows the cunning of the tempter; he has met and baffled the utmost malice of hell; he knows the weakness of our nature, but his arm is almighty, he knoweth how to "deliver the godly out of temptation."—King's Highway.