8. THE CHRISTIAN'S TEMPTATIONS
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The words tempt and temptation have in Scripture different meanings according to the connection in which they are found.
1. When it is said God did tempt Abraham (Gen. 22:1), the meaning is that God did test and prove Abraham. He has and He exercises His right thus to evince the real principles of His creatures. He subjected angels to probation. God does not thus seek to inform Himself, for He knows men perfectly; but He thus shows to His people, and even to His foes, the power of holy principles in the heart (Job 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:6-7). In Scripture, saints are called upon to count it all joy when they fall into such trials (James 1:2-3). God can and will carry His servants through such trials, and thus strengthen their good habits and principles. They shall come out as gold (Job 23:10).
2. Men are said to tempt, try, or prove God when they unbelievingly call upon Him to manifest His presence, power, or kindness. This is a freak of wicked caprice. In this sense the Israelites tempted, proved, and provoked God in the desert (Ex. 17:2-7; Ps. 95:8-9; Heb. 3:9). When God is doing for us all we really need, we have no right to call upon Him to do more; nor may we prescribe to Him when or how He shall deliver us. Men also tempt God when they presume on a miraculous preservation, and rush unbidden into dangers (Matt. 4:6-7). They also tempt Him, that is, they unwarrantably prove Him, when, casting His cords asunder, they sin without stint, as if to see whether He will punish them or bring on them threatened evils (Mal. 3:15).
3. Satan tempts men, and men tempt one another, by endeavoring to seduce them from truth, from right, from piety to error, pride, or wickedness. In this sense God tempts no man (James 1:13). God abhors iniquity. He seduces no one, and is seduced by no one.
4. Sometimes temptation means a successful seduction. "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:14). Thus men are tempted, when in them there is somewhat congenial to the seduction, and they yield to it.
In no sense are godly men compelled to sin. God always provides a way of escape. That way may be through a burning fiery furnace, through a lion's den, through a shower of stones, through death itself; but it is still a way of escape. It is not wicked to die. In his design to prove Job a hypocrite, Satan was entirely baffled. In his attempt to bring to naught the work of redemption, he wholly failed. The Son of God was more than a match for him. The three great means of preserving us from falling under the power of any temptation are these:
1) A deep sense of our own weakness. No part of the Lord's Prayer suits our case better than this: "Lead us not into temptation." The meaning is, Let us not be tempted beyond our strength, and when tempted, let us not fall into the snare of the wicked one. Blessed is the man that fears always. Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. Consider yourself, lest you also be tempted.
2) It is a great thing to have the Word of God ready for every occasion. In sophistry the enemy often exceeds our power of reasoning; but the Word of God is too keen for him. When tempted, our Savior did not moralize or philosophize on the matter. He simply quoted Scripture, saying: "It is written, it is written, it is written."
3) Watchfulness and prayer must be constantly used. I unite them because the Scripture unites them, and because, when genuine and holy, they are never separated. Our Lord said: "Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation." Compare Matt. 26:41; Mark 13:33; 14:38; Col. 4:2.
The great deliverer from temptation is God Himself (2 Pet. 2:9). The apostle says: "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations." This is as if he had said, God's resources are infinite. He is never at a loss for wisdom, love, or power. He has often and marvelously rescued His saints. He never fails when He undertakes their cause.
To the tempted people of God the sympathy and intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ are held forth for their encouragement. "In that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted." "We have not a 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." "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not." No wonder the saints triumph. Their Lord triumphed before them. By Him they can do all things. He is mighty to save.
Are these things so? Then let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Let us be of good courage. Distrust is a great foe to peace and victory. Omnipotence never labors, and is never baffled.
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