TEMPTATION AND LIGHT

     The Difference Between Temptation and Light from God

     There are two classes of individuals. One class is always applying what is said or written to themselves. They are ready to consider every accusation of Satan without demanding a reasonable proof. They are harassed and tormented until their confidence weakens and the old tendencies return. With some, this has been repeated several times before they became settled in God.

     The other class is just the opposite. They are ready to excuse and justify every questionable thing. They make circumstances responsible, rather than question if their lack in experience might not be the cause. They attribute many things to the devil, when in reality God is trying to show them where they stand.

     But how shall we discriminate between temptations from without or carnal tendencies from within; between doubts or the thing that many times is the cause of doubts; between light from God or doubts caused by some mental or physical depression? These are some questions, which if properly understood, would enable every conscientious soul not only to seek and obtain a satisfactory experience, but to withstand every accusation from Satan in the future.

     "The devil does not waste any time soliciting persons to do what he knows they can not perform. On the contrary, he plies his temptations on the weakest point in their nature; that which he knows the individual can do most easily; therefore the strength of character is at the weakest point."

     The temptation comes to feel hurt because of some real or fancied injury; to indulge in inward criticism and uncharitable suspicions; to incite unholy desires; or some other thing is presented peculiarly adapted to the disposition and circumstances of the one tempted. Now, is this wholly from without, or are there carnal tendencies within? Test it by watching what passes in your heart during such times of temptation. Do you commune with God as freely after such temptations as before? Can you lift up your head with the same innocence and holy boldness as you did before? if you can, it may have been wholly from without. A clean soul will not pass anything lightly by and be afraid to look squarely at it for fear it might be carnality. With such, all deception is gone; and it is not compulsion that holds him to a close examination, for he is bound to be right at any cost. Carnal souls generally shrink back from giving God full permission to search out and closely examine everything within that looks questionable. They feel uneasy under the Omniscient gaze.

     Occasionally souls run up against something that causes them to question if such a thing is consistent with Bible holiness. One class may be ready to call it carnality in themselves, while another may blame the devil, or some one else. Now, how shall we know what is the cause? Try the following: If you attempt to get victory over that thing, but if you are troubled again over a similar point, this looks questionable. On the other hand, if you rise above the whole thing once and forever, it may have simply been a fiery trial, or test of faith. Carnality can not be outgrown. We have known souls to get a special victory which continued for months, but were troubled again on the same point. Why all this? They may have received a special victory, but evidently did not hold on long enough to get a thorough cure.

     Temptation differs from God-intended conviction in that it has a tendency to harass and torment the honest soul; while conviction is received many times with ecstasy and joy over the thought that "If I have not the real experience, there is a glorious hope of my getting it." Discouragement and despair always come from Satan while God encourages and shows the hopeful side.

     A soul may not be clear, although he thinks he is, and yet God in His wisdom withholds the needed light and conviction, until such an one can hear it. Then when God does turn on the light, it is the devil's business to get one confused and in such a hurry that he does not know it is the voice of God. Many times God is compelled to give souls a powerful blessing to keep them from going into despair.

     Don't be quick to make an assertion either that you have or have not the genuine experience. Keep still before the Lord and let Him make it all plain. Never be quick to decide, while going through a severe test. Always wait until the clouds clear away and then look back and let God show you how you stood the test. You should come out in as good condition as you went in.