. TEMPTATION.
""No one under trial or
temptation (1)
should say, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God is untouched by evil, and does
not Himself tempt anyone."
"But each one is tried
by being drawn out and enticed (2)
by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death."" (From James 1:13
'When you say, 'Lead us not into temptation,' you must in good earnest mean
to avoid in your daily conduct those temptations which you
have already suffered from. When you say, 'Deliver us from evil,' you
must mean to struggle against that evil in your hearts, which you are conscious
of, and which you pray to be forgiven... To watch and pray are surely in our
power, and by these means we are certain of getting strength.
You feel your weakness; you fear to be overcome by
temptation; then keep out of the way of it. This is watching.
Avoid society which is likely to mislead you;
flee from the very shadow of evil; you cannot be too careful; better to be a
little too strict than a little too easy, "Consequently let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall. No temptation has taken you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation He will also make the way out in order for you to be able to endure it." (1 Cor 10:12,13).
|
.