Deliverance from temptation
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, ..." (2 Peter 2:9).
Temptation happens to the purest; but it fascinates and imperils only as it finds a welcome in the soul itself. No temptation becomes sin until it is tolerated or welcomed. Sin consists in yielding to temptation. So long as temptation finds no sympathy within, no sin enters, and the soul remains unharmed, no matter how long or severe the fiery trial may prove.
The bushmaster in South America is the most terrible of all serpents: it is not only highly venomous, it also grows to be of great length, and it is very aggressive. For its venom there seems absolutely no antidote. He who has the misfortune to be bitten by it seldom lives longer than twenty minutes; all of his blood is turned to a frightful corruption. Yet the creature is most beautiful—a sort of a living rainbow, every color being beautifully shown with superb iridescence as it glides and shimmers in the sunlight—a meet symbol of evil transfigured in the imagination and passions of faithless souls! Temptation will attract you at your weakest spot.
Beware of selling your birthright for a mess of pottage!
“And when our hands should bar the gate
We parley with the foe.”
In the hour when temptations assail us may we be ready to accompany the Master to the old olive tree in the Garden and then on to Calvary’s hill!
Go to dark Gethsemane Ye that feel the tempter's power:
Your Redeemer's conflict see;
Watch with Him one bitter hour:
Turn not from His grief away Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10: 13)
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