OUR ONLY MEANS TO DISARM TEMPTATION

“For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Heb.12:3,4

     Of all who have lived on the Earth none were more tempted than the LORD Jesus Christ. As we have all endured the fierce temptations and the fiery darts of Satan, to bring harm to ourselves and to those around us, everything we face and will ever face, our LORD, Saviour and KING went before us to do battle with sin and sin’s commander and chief. Jesus Christ became the Victor on our behalf. It is through His conquering of sin’s dominion that He could not be held by death [for death can only hold sin of which Christ had none (Eze.18:20; Rom.6:23; Acts 2:24)]. Through this unapproachable perfection of gallantry “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” I Jn.2:1-3.

     The virtue of GOD’S Holy Law can only be honored by us through the power of the Holy Ghost. We, in and of ourselves have no innate power within us to love GOD or to love one another, or to obey the Holy Precepts. In this spiritual reality men have no right to claim in any boastful tone their love for GOD, their humility before Him, or their service for their fellow man. Far too often men take glory to themselves. In this, GOD gives reproof: “I will not give my glory unto another.” For of Jesus Christ it is prophesied, “he alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isa.2:11; 48:11. And Jesus Himself declared, “for without me ye can do nothing.” Jn.15:5. The depth of these words is beyond our ability to fully fathom.

     GOD must first break down the wall of separation of our hearts to His Own. This is why the Apostle Paul stated, “the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Rom.8:7,8. Hence the need for the Holy Ghost: to draw us to Christ, to be taught, to be comforted, and to guide our life to eternal safety. In this, David acknowledged his need: “I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.” Ps.119:32. GOD always takes the initiative. And we are merely called to respond to His “still small voice.” I Ki.19:12.

     And when Jesus ascended to heaven the Holy Spirit now had a New Companion: to unite in the service of the Father's will for every man to hear and believe the Gospel. And together they woo the heart, soften the blows of life's trials, and encourage our perseverance of faith in the One Who Alone can deliver us, not only from the sinful ways of the world but also from the odious traits in our own characters. In this, Jesus promised: “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” Jn.14:18. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb.4:15,16.

     And so, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Ja.1:17. He empowers us through our communion with Him to abstain from sin. To the end that “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom.8:37-39.

     Among the leading temptations where men have repeatedly stumbled is over religion. The extremes of opinions we see today have always been. Throughout history we may be sure that there is always one class of men that are so strict, even to the point of displaying a loveless character that the heart instinctively begrudges their cold temperament. (There is a great danger for Christians who stand among this class.) And yet these harsh individuals have always demanded others to imitate their standard of judgment. While there is a virtuous boundary where personal discipline is needed in one’s life (as in military training), to have a heart with pathos, empathy, and charity that considers the many hard-life experiences imposed on others that we have not experienced—and to minister to all people regardless of their station in life is of great value in the eyes of GOD and Jesus Christ. All of heaven looks to us to show Christ to our fellow man, for many will not leave the ways of the world until they see the revelation of "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col.1:27. Therefore, in our witness to encourage spiritual victory and to warn of life’s many hazards the balance between them is best learned from the Scriptures. Solomon said there is a time and place for everything (Eccl.3:1-8). The dynamics of individual needs demand GOD'S Presence in us to "speak a word in season to him that is weary," as Paul said: "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Isa.50:4; Col.4:6. The methods of GOD revealed in Holy Writ are the best means to reach the heart regardless of the response that often comes that denies the heart of love behind the witness (as the LORD'S prophets endured through the ages).

     Then there is the other end of the spectrum. This class is so undisciplined so as to allow and even enable a permissiveness that causes immoral living which in turn brings GOD’S judgments against an individual, a city, and even a nation. And although the moral degradation often comes in imperceptible steps the contrast between the morality of previous generations to our own always shows the leap to moral rot. In this the governments of the world would do well to take heed to the words of Paul: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal.6:7. Paul, as did all the Apostles drew their wisdom from the Old Testament Scriptures: “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.” Hos.10:12,13.

     At the heart of the controversy between good and evil is “the law of liberty:” GOD’S Emblem of Universal Peace: The Ten Commandments. All must acknowledge that if every man honored the Great Standard of GOD’S Government there would be no wars or locks on doors. Every prison would be turned into gardens. And every weapon of war dismantled. The LORD addressed the fulfillment of this in prophetic utterance: “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isa.2:3,4.

     The greatest proof of the magnificence of those simple absolutes is that everything we love about Jesus: His willingness to die for our sins, His power to feed the hungry, to calm the storms, to heal every malady, to raise the dead, only to be crowned with His defeating death’s domain—it is all because of His perfect allegiance to the Holy Law of GOD. Christ’s every caressing Word is a fruit of the true character of GOD’S Holy Law. Even as Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” Jn.10:14-18.

     GOD’S Law commanded our salvation. And our affectionate loyalty to it preserves our soul for eternity. Make no mistake on this. Said Jesus, “If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments.” And John said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” Matt.19:17; I Jn.5:3.

     With Christ dwelling in the heart, all that GOD has called us to do is well within His power to accomplish within us. The promise is as sure as the light of our sun: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt.11:28-30. Remember, this is the same GOD Who Spoke the stars, angels and man into existence! And His love will never forsake a soul who calls to Him in times of need, even as wicked men come to slay the life. To brace the heart for all of the fiery trials we face “we have an advocate:” “Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jer.33:2,3.

     We are sitting at the feet of Jesus whenever we read His Word. And we pray before any effort to study is made. In this, many mistakes are avoided, from misunderstanding Scripture’s intended lessons to the bad judgments we make in our social life. As a result of men’s negligence of prayerful study, “God in Christ” has been slandered in a variety of false teachings. A prime example: From the beginning of the Christian church, men have always struggled over the differences between the imputed righteousness of Christ and His imparted righteousness. And Satan has mastered the temptations to blur the boundaries between the two to foment division, anger, and even enmity toward GOD and Jesus Christ.

     Simply put, the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ is the offer of “the free gift” of salvation to everyone who has ever lived, from Adam to the last. In essence, everything that has been imposed on us without our consent, the righteousness of Christ’s sinless life, death, and resurrection covers it all! This is the garment woven on the loom of heaven! In fact, through the life’s blood of the Saviour, spilled into the Earth [“for the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Lev.17:11)] the entire inheritance of sin we received: from its condemnation, its dominion within our fallen nature, and the very presence of devils tempting us every day, GOD the Father has set us free! His character of perfect love was “wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” Eph.1:20-23; Ps.98:1-3.

     Now, in the imparted righteousness of Christ the “power of God unto salvation” (Rom.1:16) also addresses the second dilemma we face: how we still need deliverance from our sinful nature, for “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Cor.2:14. So, the imparted righteousness of Christ deals with our inviting Jesus every day to sit on the throne of our hearts: to mold, to guide—even to rebuke. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.” Heb.12:6-10. Said Jesus Himself: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Rev.3:19-22.

     While our fallen nature in this "body of death" will continue to be assailed by Satan’s temptations to sin, and continually annoy us with all his assaults on our mind and body until the LORD comes [“who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Phil.3:21)], the Bible invites us to overcome temptation in the same way Jesus always met temptation: “It is written.” That’s where freewill becomes paramount: to apply in our lives what we see in the perfect example of the life of Jesus. He is our Perfect Role Model. In addition, the heavenly wisdom provided by Christ in uniting the Holy Ghost with Scripture’s guidelines, this will keep us from being sinning sinners, as we give Him permission every day. In this we have the sure promise: “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.” Isa.34:16. This is why Paul said, “I die daily” (I Cor.15:31). Therefore, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil.4:13). Through the Indwelling Christ, we have access to receive His faith to abstain from sin (I Jn.2:1).

     It was our total incapability to live a righteous life apart from GOD that called for His Divine rescue. Man cannot, in and of his own strength obey the Sacred Law without “the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit.3:5; Rom.8:7). So Jesus, after His ascension to Heaven, returned to the Earth as He promised (Jn.14:18), united with the Omnipresent Power of the Holy Ghost. And with waiting heart He aspires to hear the invitation of every man on Earth for Him to come and take up residence in our minds and hearts. He hopes to hear the response, “Here am I” to His call on the heart as did Abraham, Moses, Jacob and Samuel. This is the “new covenant” where “the LORD” writes His Law in our hearts (Heb.12:24; Eze.11:19). And through His sanctifying power, step-by-step, lesson-by-lesson, victory-by-victory the saints are restored into the fullness of His Image as it is written, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil.1:6. And to reflect the Image of His Perfect Character should be our continual desire and prayer! For in Him alone lies the restoration of the wisdom, peace and joy that GOD gave to man, “In the beginning.”

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth.” “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man,” “for vain is the help of man.” Jn.14:27; Ps.118:8; Ps.60:11.

     In closing, let us address the leading temptations that Christ desires for us to overcome that His Victory may be won in us and that we may rejoice through His Indwelling Presence forever. There are many today who struggle with the very same sins that have caused the ruin of multitudes. In the case of men, the leading temptation is fornication. The Bible addresses “fornication” 39 times. Men would be wise to review each application of this leading sin among men.

     There is an inherent desire for romance within both men and women. GOD gave this desire for our joy and for the perpetuation of life. But in the case of our fallen nature, to most men the woman is nothing more than the means to gratify sexual desire. And as with cocaine, and a host of other addictions, the addiction of sexual lust, once engaged is never satisfied. It becomes all consuming. And Satan has played many a man the fool in this. The only way to disarm this temptation is to invite Jesus into the heart and allow Him to discipline the mind and heart to view the woman as Christ views the woman: to seek her salvation over and above the temptations of indulgence, as it is written:

“For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer… In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake… No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Isa.54:6-8,14,15,17.

     David well understood this: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Ps.24:3-5.

     To the woman, the innate desire is for a safe nest: to be protected from the things that cause sorrow and pain. In this, the woman historically has looked to the man to provide the needed security and comforts of life. GOD ordained this from the beginning when He said to Eve: “thy desire shall be to thy husband.” Gen.3:16. GOD ordained that next to the love and worship of GOD through the deliverance of Jesus Christ the woman’s greatest happiness is to be found in serving and pleasing a GOD-fearing man: a man in whose Spirit Christ dwells. Only by this is the man’s sinful temperament held in check and a genuine love and concern for his wife be found for he seeks her salvation above his own. The problem comes from the woman’s fallen nature: to fall prey to a sin-laden society whose vanity conditions the woman’s mind to think that happiness only comes from the world’s material goods. In this the woman is distracted from GOD and drawn to satisfy society’s demands of servitude. In this temporary contentment, its pleasant and cozy moment lasts for but a moment. Then comes the next “fix” of self-indulging pleasure. This too is an insatiable lust.

     The Bible teaches there is a clear difference between needs and wants. And again, Satan desires our ignorance. Jesus addressed this:

“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matt.6:28-34.

     The lust for selfish ease and gain plays a large role in the curse of sin in the Earth (I Tim.6:10). The bitter fruits of this explains the grotesque inequality among men, the continued tsunami of abortion and starvation of children, and a host of other atrocities that all stem from the spirit of cruel indifference to the needs of others: all because the sin-loving heart is insatiable in its desire for self-indulgence. The government of heaven is the antithesis of this. Nevertheless, the two governments competing for the hearts of men are unmistakable. This is the leading reason men despise GOD and Jesus Christ. For our Creator rebukes the indifference that continues generation after generation, war after war—lie after lie—all because men demand the continued freedom to sin.

     All should study the contrast between the two governments competing for the supremacy of this world. The one government says: I must secure your safety and happiness, and for those you love, no matter what it costs me, and only then are you safe with me. The other government says: I must think of me. If that means I have to sacrifice you and those you love on the altar of my ambition so be it. Now, which of these two is the predominant force ruling this world? Which one would you rather see on the throne of life's government?

     Lastly, many Christians live their lives like atheists. This brings shame to the Gospel call of Christ. In the sinful lives of professing Christians Satan and demons mock Jesus and His angels! Make no mistake: the ridicule we see among men takes place among the angelic hosts. The dangerous platform on which unconverted men stand, little consideration is given. But the LORD’S warning Christians to disassociate with unrepentant fools is clear:

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. There were they in great fear: for God [is] in the generation of the righteous. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.” Ps.14.

     So, the LORD appeals to all men, to look to Him and receive the Grace to overcome as Jesus overcame. “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things] hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isa.66:1,2.