Tag: Resist

Resist and overcome

·

A.B. Simpsonby A.B. Simpson

The furnace for gold; but the Lord trieth the hearts —Proverbs 17:3

Remember that temptation is not sin unless it is accompanied with the consent of your will. There may seem to be even the inclination, and yet the real choice of your spirit is fixed immovably against it, and God regards it simply as a solicitation and credits you with an obedience all the more pleasing to Him because the temptation was so strong.

We little know how evil can find access to a pure nature and seem to incorporate itself with our thoughts and feelings. When, however, we resist and overcome it we remain as pure as the sea fowl that emerges from the water without a single drop remaining upon its burnished wing. The harp, struck by a rude or clumsy hand, gives forth a discordant sound-not from any defect o the instrument but because of the hand that touches it. But when the Master’s hand pluck strings it produces chords of exquisite delight.

In nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God (Philippians 1:28).

by A.B. Simpson

Cautious navigators

·

Charles Spurgeonby Charles Spurgeon

“She grabbed him by his garment and said, ‘Sleep with me!’
But leaving his garment in her hand, he escaped and ran from the house.” Genesis 39:12

In contending with certain sins, there remains no mode of victory, but by flight.

He who would be safe from acts of evil–must hasten away from occasions of it.

A covenant must be made with our eyes–not even to look upon the cause of temptation; for such sins only need a spark to begin with–and a blaze follows in an instant!

Who would wantonly enter the leper’s hut–and sleep amid its horrible corruption? He alone who desires to be leprous himself–would thus court contagion.

If the mariner knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it.

Cautious navigators have no desire to try how near the quicksand they can sail, or how often they may touch a rock without springing a leak; their aim is to keep as nearly as possible in the midst of a safe channel.

Today I may be exposed to great peril–let me have wisdom to keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be of more use to me–than the jaws of a lion. I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company–but I had better leave my cloak, than lose my character!

It is not needful that I should be rich–but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule–must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin.

I am to resist the devil–and he will flee from me.
But the lusts of the flesh, I must flee–or they will surely overcome me!

O God of holiness, preserve your Josephs, lest Madam Bubble bewitch them with her vile suggestions.

May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil–never overcome us!

by Charles Spurgeon