Temptation No. 3

In this chapter we desire to notice (1) How is it that a holy person can be tempted. If there is nothing within that can be appealed to, how can he be tempted

(2) How far can a person go without losing his experience

(1) God permits temptations to befall souls, either to remind them afresh what grace has accomplished in their particular cases, or on the other hand to reveal some defect or lack in experience. He tempteth no man, though his fiery trial detects and exposes the dross. But "every man is tempted" to commit sin, when the inordinate tendencies of his heart after worldly ease, honor, wealth or pleasure, induce him to seize the bait; with which Satan entices him: thus he is drawn out of the line of duty, as a fish is dragged out of the water, when it has been enticed by the delusive morsel, which covered the hook. So that when "lust" or vehement desire after any object which cannot be obtained without sin, "is conceived" in the heart, through the suggestions of Satan, and the allurements of external objects; the purpose of indulgence is admitted and cherished, thus actual transgression is brought forth; and when this is completed, "it bringeth forth death," as Its genuine offspring."-Scott.

It is very easy to conceive how a person could be tempted while carnal principles remained within, although thoroughly bound by grace, because as long as a carnal tendency remains, it can be appealed to. But now we come to a person who has not only been saved from unholy desires, but from the very germ that would hatch out a desire, if left alone. There is nothing but love filling such a heart. Such a heart is not only free from the stirring of carnality, but wholly free from a single sinful propensity.

Now if this is true, how can such an individual be tempted We answer, just the same as Adam and Eve, who were holy, could be tempted. Just the same as Jesus, who was not only human but divine, could be tempted.

"Power to commit sin is essential to temptation. Man is a moral being, he is therefore capable of moral action. A moral action is the voluntary act of an intelligent agent; and the volition or action must be right or wrong according to some moral standard in the universe. If power to do the contrary does not exist in the agent at the time the violation is put forth, there is no moral merit in the act, therefore power to sin is requisite to all moral merit. Power to sin is not a vice nor even an imperfection; but a virtue of a very high quality. If God gave me the power to do wrong that I might have the power to do right, (which he surely did), then I am to recognize that power as a Divine gift and act accordingly."

We must discriminate between a possibility to sin and a tendency, or bent toward sinning. Jesus could have sinned, but that is no proof that sinful propensities existed in Him. The same can be said of all who are pure in heart.

The possibility of sin must be presupposed in any individual before we can conceive of their being tempted. But because they are subject to temptation, that does not necessarily imply the existence of any sinful tendency. God is the only being who is absolutely perfect. It is impossible for Him to sin. "He cannot be tempted." It is contrary to his nature. If it had been impossible for Jesus tosin, then He would not have been human. The possibility in Jesus to sin, never became an actual fact. Thank God! Through grace, the same may be said of redeemed man.

But if there remains no tendency to sin why are even the pure in heart directed to "Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation" Even Paul felt the need of saying, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away."

We are on probation while in this life. Hence we are subject to trials and tribulations. As we have said before, all human needs and desires, though in themselves lawful and innocent, become sources of danger; unless steadily guarded.

(2) How far can a person go without losing his experience

Holiness is not of such an ethereal nature as to slip away under every test and unpleasant circumstance. God is too true and faithful to every soul, especially "to such as are of a clean heart."

They may do or leave undone something that calls forth a reproof of the Holy Spirit, not that they have given way to lust, envy, shrink, sensitiveness, criticism, etc. This would be an evidence that they had already become carnal, and in fact backslidden.

But perhaps on some lawful point, they rashly said or did something; afterwards they look back and feel that they did not practice real self-denial, or do the best thing. Their conscience is very tender and they feel awful about it. The Spirit (and sometimes the devil), magnifies it and makes it look still more awful. They are very sorry for it, and solemnly promise God that it shall never be repeated. He takes them at their word and passes the thing by as a fault. As time goes by perhaps the same thing (or something similar) is repeated. Again the Spirit reproves them but after a time of fasting, weeping and praying, confidence regains her former strength and God excuses the thing as before.

Clean souls suffer more remorse from wounding their conscience once, than carnal backslidden souls do in yielding time and again.

We are not prepared to say how often a clean soul can call forth a reproof of the Spirit on the same point and not lose his experience. We would not like to say more than two or three times. It largely depends upon the amount of light the person has. One might lose his experience much easier than another. However, no conscientious soul is anxious to experiment. He wants to keep as far away from the precipice as possible.

Some conscientious souls are continuously harassed and tormented for fear they might lose their experience. Their time is largely occupied in praying over their old weaknesses, or examining some of the devil's scarecrows. This is dishonoring to God, and often opens and inlet to unbelief-the first carnal principle to enter a holy heart. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment: He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

Why are you so fearful Why not believe God Has He not said: "If in anything ye be otherwise minded"

He will "reveal even this unto you" Let God's responsibility alone.

It is His business to let light shine, and your business to walk in it.

It is His business to make duty very plain, and your business to quickly obey.

It is His business to convict you on any line that is for your good, and it is your business to keep yourself open and glad to receive such conviction.

It is His business to upset your plans, and reprove you when you are about to do, or already have done something that would injure your experience, and it is your business to move so softly and conscientiously that He can carry out His own blessed designs. Such souls never need to lose their experience.

This is rest of faith. This is letting God fight His own battles. This is being "hid with Christ in God."

Few have ever dug deep enough to find this place; and a less number have lived holy long enough to retain such an inheritance; but, thank God it is a glorious possibility. Grace is enabling the writer to prove it. Hallelujah!