ENVIRONMENT NO EXCUSE FOR SIN.
By G.
MANY people who feel that they are backsliding spiritually, and realize that they fall far short in the line of Christian duty, are prone to lay the blame on their location and surroundings. If such excuse were legitimate, then all could be excused; for "the whole world lieth in wickedness," and there is temptation everywhere. The individual who imagines that in such or such a place, or amid certain imaginary surroundings, he would be free from temptation, or would find it easy to resist the wiles of the enemy, would be sure to meet disappointment. The Christian life is a warfare against spiritual wickedness, whatever the surroundings. While no one would be justifiable in choosing a particularly bad location—excepting for the express purpose of doing good—it is an equally mistaken idea to think of finding an environment free from the necessity of being always alert and watchful against the wiles of the evil one. The reason of such condition is, that the temptation that causes the real injury to spiritual life is that which works from within. "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." James 1:14. "Then when lust hath conceived [when it has been fostered into life by the desire of the individual himself], it bringeth forth sin." Verse 15. The only safeguard against temptation in the most favorable situation, amid surroundings the most congenial to righteousness, is to abide in Christ, and let His Word abide in us; then no enemy can reach the citadel of the heart. With the heart kept pure by the indwelling Word, outward environment matters not—so long as one is in the line of duty. The Spirit of Inspiration says: "My son, attend to My words; incline thine ear unto My sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Prov. 4:20-23. This whole idea of the influence of environment being an excuse for spiritual laxity has been amply illustrated. Lucifer was originally placed in the most perfect environment possible. His place was by the very throne of God, and his companion in service was the Son of God. All the creatures of God were holy, and there was not one object of evil influence to draw any one away from allegiance to the throne of the universe. Lucifer was endowed with the perfection of beauty, and had honor next to the only-begotten Son of the universal Father. But because of Lucifer's beauty his "heart was lifted up," and he desired higher honor. This spirit of envy was fostered until it broke out into open rebellion against God. The Word of the Lord said to him, "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Note, it is not said that iniquity was found in his surroundings, in his companions, but in him. The lust was not sin until it was fostered into actual life, and not until Lucifer yielded to the lust of his heart, and was drawn away by it, did he become a real adversary of God and a menace to his companion angels. Had he overcome this temptation of inward lust, it would have been a glorious victory for him. But he gave way to it and fell. On the other hand, when Christ came to earth to live a human life in behalf of a fallen race, He assumed the form of a sinner, was born of sinful flesh, and, from infancy to manhood, had His home in a city despised for its wickedness. It was even a proverb, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Yet, amid such surroundings, He "did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." "He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." So no one can legitimately make excuse for sin on account of surrounding conditions. The help of Christ, who overcame all temptation, is available; "for in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted." G.