Enduring Temptation

I will come immediately to the point of this section. You will not be able to avoid suffering. As the scripture has said, ...it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29).

My brothers and sisters, this will not change. Christ was a suffering servant before Pilot and He is in us a suffering servant before the world today. We have learned that suffering in the flesh is equal to a sinless life. The opposition to suffering in the flesh is quite simply the unwillingness to endure temptation.

James 1:12-14

12 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.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Temptation is a provocation to disobey God or despise the suffering we are to encounter on the course God has placed us on to walk. Afflictions, persecutions and hardships are all temptations that buffet the sons of God. Pride and wantonness are temptations as well. Many times, we sin because we are not willing to deny ourselves of the things we are able to have in this world. Possession and opportunity become temptations that try our love for the Father. When it is within our power to have that which is forbidden, only our love and appreciation for God is strong enough to afford us the ability to endure the forgoing of such. We must see sin as corruption.

Galatians 6:8

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

2 Peter 1:4

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The ability to overcome sin is temperance and patience. Let us further consider the teachings of Peter on this matter:

2 Peter 1:5-11

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The love of God is also a catalyst for obedience. However, the lack of love for God and/or man will birth unrighteousness. You are not going to walk in the Spirit as a substitute for loving God. Some will seek to walk in the Spirit due to the consequences of sin in their lives. However, walking in the Spirit is not something to be practiced arbitrarily. In other words, it is not something you randomly decide to do. Walking in the Spirit is the result of love and obedience to God. If you love God, you will keep His commandments. This is what scripture teaches. Obedience follows love. Love is not turned on and off like a faucet. To vacillate in and out of righteousness is to manifest a lack of love and appreciation for whom and what God is in your life. You will not be able to circumvent the love of God to walk in the Spirit. You will not circumvent purifying your heart to walk in the Spirit. Consider the following passages.

1 John 3:2-3

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

God has subjected us to this blessed hope. We are to wait patiently in righteousness for the return of our Lord. However, it is our responsibility to purify our own hearts. This is not something the Father will do. He demands that our hearts be even as His; (Even, as He is pure). Beloved, the heart is the seat of all emotion and desire. To fulfill this command is to be even as Christ is now in this world. It is amazing how the Father continues to press the reality of Jesus being the first of many brethren.

2 Timothy 2:21

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

You will not forego holiness to walk in the Spirit. It is by the power of holiness we are enabled to do the work of the ministry. There is no getting around this. All who do otherwise are no more than tinkling cymbals.

1 Corinthians 10:13

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 to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

When we agree with God, the anointing of the Holy Ghost will rest upon us in every trial.

St. Luke 8:16

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

God is not chastening us and demanding that we purge ourselves of all unrighteousness just so that we can waltz into Heaven or the Millennium. But, He will put His work on display so that all may see His manifold wisdom. The church and the world will see the handiwork of God. The church will see true holiness in the people who embrace this truth and many perhaps will forsake unrighteousness and return unto God and the way of holiness. The world will see the purity of the love of God and be able to choose Christ. In the end, God will be glorified.

Apostle of our Lord and your Servant