THOUGHTS ON TEMPTATION by Henry Wm. Rose

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Feb 13, 1907

THOUGHTS ON TEMPTATION.

By Henry Wm. Rose

No one can go thru life without meeting temptation. It is inseparable from the Christian's experience, and is a matter that compels earnest consideration. We must recognize, first of all, that temptation is an inducement to do something which is intrinsically wrong. Therefore, the very thought of being tempted should put us on our guard, and is to be looked upon as a danger signal. And should we be led to ask, Would it be a sin to do so and so, we may generally take it for granted that the better and safer course is to give ourselves the benefit of the doubt. Nobody was ever "tempted" to do what is right.

We perhaps sometimes flatter ourselves that we, professed Christians, resist temptations to do many things which would shock us; yet, the truth is, they are not really temptations to us, because we have no inherent desire to do them. It is no credit to a Christian that he does not steal or murder, or do other atrocious things. But it is a credit to the child of God if the temper is controlled, the passions subdued, if the subtle, minor sins are fought against and overcome. We are deluded if we think that it is a victory over the tempter when we merely abstain from doing what it would be distasteful to do.

While temptation is commonly viewed as a terrible thing, possibly we do not often think of it in the light of an opportunity to gain a victory. Yet the greater the temptation, the larger may be the victory. And each victory makes another easier, just as each defeat makes the next one more certain. We can not conquer temptation by dodging it, or trying to. To go around the corner is different from meeting a foe and vanquishing him. When temptation comes, let us bravely meet it, and take a firm stand, and be "more than conquerors thru Him who loved us."

We especially need to overcome the hidden temptations that are not open to every one's gaze; those "little favorite temptations," so deadly in their effect; in short, "the sin that doth so easily beset us."

It is worth remembering that a good many victories are only known to the individual and to God. As Burns so beautifully puts it, "What's done we partly may compute, But know not what's resisted." So if we fall, and others see it, let us be cheered and encouraged to get up and try again, bearing in mind that perhaps for one time we fell there have been ninety-nine when we successfully resisted, tho none knew it.

Again, temptation is an opportunity to show one's colors. If the tempter finds that we are strong on any particular point, he will cease to attack us there, but will search for the weak spots in our armor, and deal his blows at them. So we need ever to be on the alert, and "let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

When Jesus was severely tempted, He won the day by using the sword of the Spirit, the word of God; so can we. A text of scripture quoted in the hour of temptation will work wonders—if it be appropriate. The devil, we are told, "can quote scripture for his own purpose." Then surely the Christian should be able to use it for his purposes, too.

The well-known hymn says, "Yielding is sin." Remember, the fact that we are tempted is not of itself sin, but the yielding to it is. If we learn to instantly recognize temptation, no matter in what form, however alluring it may come, it will be much easier to resist it. One good way to get a victory is to take action the very first moment the temptation appears—nip it in the bud. To dilly-dally and compromise is almost certain to end in defeat, none the less complete because it came gradually. When tempted, say "No!" and having said it, do not retract one inch, but hold your ground.

We should not run into temptation, nor go to places where we are sure we shall meet it; that would be seeking it, the first step toward yielding to it. No; but being in the face of temptation, make it plain that our position is that of one who can say "No!" and mean it.

Perhaps we mistake God's trying us for the devil's tempting us. This is a vital point. Our faith will often be tried; Satan will never cease tempting. But God never seeks to induce one of His children to sin; Satan is everlastingly trying to do that. Let us each endeavor to cultivate discernment so that we may know when we are tried and when tempted.

Conquering temptation depends upon having power that God will give us, if we want Him to. This strength may be had by living in close touch with heaven; by constantly maintaining an attitude of willingness to be led of the Spirit. Remembering what the consequences of yielding will be should prove an effectual safeguard. We ought to profit by the sad experiences of those who have fallen.

Temptation may indeed be a source of strength to the Christian if he gets victory out of it. Let us see to it that we will be master over the things that trip us up; we can be, and why should we not be? And, for our encouragement, it is written that we have a Saviour who was "tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin." Thank God for the One who has gone the way before us, and promises to help us when we are sorely tempted.