How to Meet Temptation
By W. D. Walker
MEET it as Christ met it, with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. When our Lord was an hungered after his miraculous fast of forty days, the devil, taking advantage of his need (and who so well knows how to take such advantage?) said; "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." 'Prove to me that thou art the Christ is implied in this. But Jesus must make no vain show of his power, and he replies: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone." He, as man, may not do this miracle. The sword of the Spirit is mighty, and Satan cannot stand before it. The second time the wily one makes use of the word himself, for his strength lies in adapting the temptation to an individual's nature and disposition. But Christ uses no other weapon than at the first, and no other was needed, for the temptation was immediately withdrawn. And at length, when the devil would have worship from the Lord himself, he is vanquished by this same mighty sword, and leaves Christ for a season. Here is our example; the Psalmist says, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee." We have found the word mighty when striving against Satan. Wherewith shall we cleanse our way? by taking heed thereto according to the word of God (Psalm 119:9). The word and prayer will vanquish sin and Satan so that they will at least depart for a season; and shall not, when we are weary with the conflict, angels come and minister unto us? We believe it will be so. But let us always remember that our great High Priest was in all points tempted like as we are,383and fought the tempter with the sword of the Spirit. If Satan tempts us to covet over-much the bread that perishes, let us boldly tell him, "Man shall not live by bread alone." If he strives to lead us to risk health or life to gain applause of men, still we can say, "It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." If he sets before us in beautiful array all the riches of the world, and promises to give us freely of them if we do but serve him, "Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve;" also, "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" When tempted to anger, let us remember, "The servant of the Lord must not strive." To make this mighty sword an effectual weapon, it must be used with Divine help. Christ, who is our example, sought help through the word and prayer; and we may vanquish Satan by the same means. Let us then ask for the Holy Spirit to aid us to use the sword of the Spirit.—W. D. Walker.