Rays of Hope

A Book of Encouragement

Temptations

  I know of no better definition of temptation than that given by the apostle James—"But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." James 1:14. "But each one is tempted by his own inordinate desire, being drawn out and allured." Emphatic Diaglott. Not every suggestion to do wrong is a temptation. Suggestions to evil are temptations only when there is a drawing or inclination to follow them. A suggestion that is a strong temptation to one person may be no temptation whatever to another. For instance, the suggestion to take a drink of intoxicating liquor would be a temptation to some man, while to another it would be no temptation whatever. One man may be easily tempted to covetousness, because his natural make up inclines him that way; while another man, who is free hearted and naturally liberal, has no temptation whatever to hoard up money. Both, of course, must be equally free from covetousness; but to one man it is an easy task, because he has no temptations to be avaricious. However, the man who is not tempted to covetousness will not be unvisited by temptation in some other direction, for all are tempted.

  "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.

  When lust, or strong desire, has conceived through the consent of the will and one has yielded to temptation, then, and not until then, is sin brought forth. Many people do not understand the difference between temptation and sin, do not understand where temptation ends and sin begins. Sometimes Satan will tempt people, and then when they feel the weight and the drawing of the temptation, will accuse them, telling them they have sinned. Remember that your will is yourself and that, though temptations may rage, yet so long as your will says, "No" and you [59] refrain from sin, God will stand by you and help you to conquer temptation. Remember, He is faithful, and will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it." You should not think it strange concerning the fiery trials and the burning temptations with which the Lord intends to try you. Consider them as ordinary occurrences; gird up the loins of your mind; call upon the name of the Lord; and resist the devil steadfast in the faith.

ENDURING TEMPTATION

  "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12. Here we see that God pronounces a blessing on the man that endures temptation. God never tempts anyone, but often tries people. Would you receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him ? Then, you must endure the temptation; you must be tried, for until then you cannot receive it. So when temptation overtakes you, do not forget to endure, for thereby you shall gain the crown of life. "And after that ye have suffered a while, the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, will make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

ENJOYING TEMPTATION

  "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." James 1:2. You may wonder where there is room for joy in temptation; but after you have learned to endure it for a while, you will learn the secret of making your temptations transparent by the compound application of faith and trust. No temptation seems joyous for the present; but by faith we can see through the temptation and behold the strength and the victory that we are winning through its endurance, and thus the severest temptation may be mixed with joy. As Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the suffering of the cross; so we, for the joy of the victory set before us, may gladly endure the temptation, and by anticipating the blessings [60] pronounced on the man that endures temptation, we may have joy at present, though overtaken by divers temptations. By considering the worth of temptations and the benefit to our experience to be derived from them, we can count them joy.

  "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." James 1:3. Patience is a priceless gem. So when we are blessed with the very cause that effects patience—temptation—we should not yield to sin nor murmur at our lot. "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Jas. 1:4. Perfect and entire, wanting nothing—thank God! What a happy state! Yet the road by which this state is reached is one of temptation; for temptation tries our faith, faith works patience, and patience perfects us in every good thing. [61]