PECULIAR TEMPTATIONS

     The Nature of Temptations Peculiar to the Sanctified Temptations and vile imaginations will be presented to the mind of the purest soul, but they can be repelled and resisted. They can lodge and remain only at the consent of the will.

     With the sanctified soul, temptation becomes effective at that point where "resistance as a means of preserving integrity first becomes necessary." This point is generally at that juncture where something is presented, through the medium of the senses, especially adapted to gratify some natural appetite of apparent human need, as in the ease of Eve, or Jesus. Satisfying that appetite "within certain limitations fixed by the law of God is sinless." But the moment resistance becomes necessary in order to preserve innocence and fidelity, then that same fixed law forbids the thing presented, and to yield in desire or action is to transgress.

     Satan has to change his tactics with sanctified souls. Formerly he came and found within that which he could lay claim to, but now "he cometh" and findeth "nothing." As a rule he does not, on approaching a clean soul, propose a sinful act, for he well knows that such would detect in a moment his cloven foot. There is nothing within to which a sinful solicitation can appeal.

     "Desire to sin is not essential to temptation. The dominion and desire to sin is removed in regeneration, and ability is given the regenerate soul to live without sin, although there are weak points. Entire sanctification, the climax of Christian character, removes the tendency to sin, by destroying carnality, the prolific source of all actual sin; and right here is seen the difference between the liability to sin, and the power to sin.

     "An individual may have power to do a thing that he is not liable to do. For instance, he has the power to become a drunkard, and yet the probabilities are he will never become a drunkard, however often or severely he may be tempted; and so on other lines."

     It is incorrect to say that regenerated souls have carnal desires. They may have carnal tendencies, but these can only hatch out into desires at the consent of the will. The will is in full harmony with God as long as grace predominates. It is likewise incorrect to say that sanctified souls have involuntary desires. There is no such thing as involuntary desires. There are involuntary carnal principles within the unsanctified, but these never become desires, until they first receive the endorsement of the will and that moment they incur guilt.

     Well, then, if there are no voluntary or involuntary responses that can be appealed to, where does the link break between a state of holiness and depravity? We believe it is at the point where the soul through incessant pressure weakens, and yields in spirit though not outwardly.

     Hence, Satan must work through a physical or unsuspected channel. True, he will batter against the outside, and suggest outlandish things. He does this, not with the hope of one's yielding, but to torment and accuse. He would not be a devil if he did not do this.

     He is likened in the Scripture unto three things, viz., "a roaring lion," "an angel of light," and an "accuser of the brethren." As a roaring lion he frightens more souls than in any other way. When he fails here, he often succeeds as an angel of light, in deceiving. This is his most successful scheme on ministers and such as are capable of spreading error.

     But when he fails here then he sets in for a lifelong siege to accuse, perplex, and bring to bear against that soul the infernal pressure of hell.

     The temptations peculiar to the sanctified are more fiery and diabolical, but of shorter duration than against other souls. Seeing there is nothing within, as in the unsanctified, that will consider for a moment a plausible suggestion, therefore whatever the devil desires to accomplish, he must do quickly.

     Another kind of accusation peculiar to the sanctified is that of magnifying their faults. They are not perfect in judgment or wisdom, though in love and obedience. They are not faultless even though God said they should "be preserved blameless." Often those who are envious expect more of them than God Almighty does, and more than they pretend to profess. Sometimes they do things they are very sorry for, such as a hasty transaction, a thoughtless statement, zeal that drove some seemingly honest soul away, or something else that was not the best thing to do or say under the circumstances.

     Upon reviewing it, the Spirit magnifies and makes it look serious indeed, for their good in the future. Now, Satan, who has been eagerly watching every move, takes advantage of the reproof of the Spirit and comes in like a flood, and causes them to feel the more deeply mortified and humiliated. Perhaps some one will add fuel to the fire by reviewing and telling a new, discouraging feature about it.

     At such seasons Satan takes a special fiendish delight in sneering in the face of the already chastened soul. He is pleased if such will look at it from one of two standpoints: Either mourn over it and become despondent, rather than believe God to yet overrule it for the best, and perhaps get glory out of it; or on the other hand, rather than quickly and humbly make acknowledgments, become reckless and independent about it. Right here is where more than one has lost his hold upon God and become carnal again.

     Another point at which Satan is well pleased is when he sees a sanctified soul pressed down with cares and responsibilities, even though they pertain to the spread of the gospel. If he sees that a soul is determined to keep clean and balanced, then he will be pleased if that soul will do one of two things: Either through exposure and zeal for the lost, overwork, until his health is impaired; or, if he is able to become more aggressive and irresistible, allow his mind to become overburdened, so that much of his time in secret prayer is spent in pleading for the removal of obstacles rather than for souls. In short, he is so encumbered with secular affairs and responsibilities that he can not be all he might be in soul-saving; and; to this extent Satan is pleased.

     "Many a man's spirituality has been buried ii' the grave of his activities."

     Satan often tries to counterfeit God's disapproval and bring a feeling of guilt and condemnation upon the conscientious soul. Often shallow holiness professors are his best instruments against the truly sanctified. He hates such with a more deadly hatred than all others, because they live so near the throne and have such influence with the King. Thus he works with untiring effort, howling after them until they outstrip him and sweep through the pearly gates.