HOW TO RESIST TEMPTATION

     "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."

     There are at least four steps in connection with temptation -- attention, consideration, gratification, humiliation.

     1. Attention. Here is where the tempter succeeded with Eve. He called her attention to the beautiful and luscious fruit. Having gained this vantage ground he quickly caught on to her natural weakness -- loquacity. Had she only kept a closed mind and a closed mouth all would have been well. It is the same with every holy soul today. Such an one can not be tempted except along natural and legitimate lines. "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took." It is that first look that makes it possible to think, then forget all former resolutions. Job realized this when he said, "I made a covenant with mine eyes: why then should I think?" Notice Achan's sin! He "saw" the goodly Babylonish garment and shekels of silver, then "coveted," then "took," then "hid," then died in disgrace. No one can fall until he first looks or listens, then lingers, then longs, then lunges. It is simply impossible to be overcome on any line so long as the mind is closed to the thought of yielding and the question is UNDEBATABLE. Remember this, you are invincible so long as you do not let down the first bar and throw open the subject to debate. But if you dare to do this for a moment the floods will pour in and sweep you off your feet.

     2. Consideration. This is the second step. If Satan can get one to ponder, then wonder, the battle is likely to be lost. One man said, "If I were tempted along a certain line I do not know what I would do." This man was defeated already. How unlike Joseph, who no doubt had it settled in his mind beforehand that come what would he could not sin. He was fortified and as unmovable as Gibraltar, when temptation came. "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"

     3. Gratification. Is it not strange how one can go stone blind in a moment in view of present profit or pleasure, rather than wait for joys and comforts more enduring? David "saw" then "inquired" (considered), then like a mad animal broke down the fence and ruthlessly trampled under foot all sense of honor and righteousness. After he had gotten through with his seeing and sending, then God began sending strife, sedition, and sorrow which never ended. Reader, beware!

     4. Humiliation. If one could only stop long enough to look around and behold the many shipwrecks he might take warning. Some of these were once mighty in sailing the high seas and doing commerce for God. But they trifled, ventured too near the rocks, and are now out of commission -- stranded on the shores of time. Others are dismantled and though pretending to be in service, are like floating derelicts without mast or rudder -- more dangerous than old hulks, high and dry on the beach.

     Precious reader, remember there are souls now in hell and others on their way there, who at one time roamed on plains of spiritual light grander than you or I ever experienced. To your knees! To your knees!!