Temptation OUR ONLY SAFETY
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. Matt. 26:41.
"Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is more than a match for the hosts of darkness....Therefore he seeks to draw away the soldiers of the cross from their strong fortifications."--The Great Controversy, p. 530. Satan knows that he has to do this in order to get us. He knows the power of abiding in Christ.
If one who is abiding in Christ is more than a match for the powers of darkness, and if one who is abiding in Christ does not sin (1 John 3:6), and if one who is abiding in Christ doesn't even feel like sinning, but rather finds sin repulsive (seeThe Great Controversy, p. 508; Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 92; The Desire of Ages, p. 668), then how could Satan manage to tempt us?
On pages 71 and 72 of Steps to Christ there are five ways listed that he comes to bring temptations to us when we are abiding in Christ. "When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan's constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ." So his constant effort is to get us to look away from the abiding dependence upon God's power to ourselves. Then we end up trying to fight sin in our own power. Steps to Christ then lists the ways he accomplishes this separation. (1) The pleasures of the world. These would have to be innocent pleasures, but things that could divert our attention from God if we focused on them. (2) Life's cares, perplexities, and sorrows. We have all had our share of these, and know how difficult it is at times to continue trusting God when troubles come. (3) The faults of others. Have you ever had your mind turned away from Christ because of the faults of others? (4) Your own faults and imperfections. This one is especially effective for those who are the most conscientious! And finally (5) anxiety and fear as to whether or not we shall be saved.
It wouldn't work for Satan to come to one who is abiding in Christ and tempt him to break one of the commandments. Sin is repulsive to the one who is abiding in Christ. So Satan comes instead with whatever will get our attention off Jesus. It is only through abiding in Christ and keeping our eyes fixed upon him that we have victory.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. Matt. 26:41.
"Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is more than a match for the hosts of darkness....Therefore he seeks to draw away the soldiers of the cross from their strong fortifications."--The Great Controversy, p. 530. Satan knows that he has to do this in order to get us. He knows the power of abiding in Christ.
If one who is abiding in Christ is more than a match for the powers of darkness, and if one who is abiding in Christ does not sin (1 John 3:6), and if one who is abiding in Christ doesn't even feel like sinning, but rather finds sin repulsive (seeThe Great Controversy, p. 508; Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 92; The Desire of Ages, p. 668), then how could Satan manage to tempt us?
On pages 71 and 72 of Steps to Christ there are five ways listed that he comes to bring temptations to us when we are abiding in Christ. "When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan's constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ." So his constant effort is to get us to look away from the abiding dependence upon God's power to ourselves. Then we end up trying to fight sin in our own power. Steps to Christ then lists the ways he accomplishes this separation. (1) The pleasures of the world. These would have to be innocent pleasures, but things that could divert our attention from God if we focused on them. (2) Life's cares, perplexities, and sorrows. We have all had our share of these, and know how difficult it is at times to continue trusting God when troubles come. (3) The faults of others. Have you ever had your mind turned away from Christ because of the faults of others? (4) Your own faults and imperfections. This one is especially effective for those who are the most conscientious! And finally (5) anxiety and fear as to whether or not we shall be saved.
It wouldn't work for Satan to come to one who is abiding in Christ and tempt him to break one of the commandments. Sin is repulsive to the one who is abiding in Christ. So Satan comes instead with whatever will get our attention off Jesus. It is only through abiding in Christ and keeping our eyes fixed upon him that we have victory.
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