victory

How to Overcome the Devil, Part I

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We do not know from day to day when the Lord may call us to a different job, to a different location, to a different country. He may call different individuals as workers in various parts of the world, but each one, as a stone in the wall, is building up the work of God. For each of us to do our part in His work, we must develop characters that will see us through any and every circumstance that may come into our lives. In this article, we will look at developing that experience that is going to get us through to the heavenly kingdom.

A Deceiving Dragon

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9.

Why do we have worries and disasters, tears, sorrow, pain, suffering, and death? The answer is given in this verse¾because Satan was cast out to this earth. There is a dragon, called the Devil and Satan, loose in this world, reeking havoc.

This text tells us that he deceives the whole world. Every man and woman who has ever been born has been deceived at some time by this arch deceiver.

Satan was cast out to the earth, and he was not cast out alone. The angels wbo chose to believe him were cast out with him. Together they go about to deceive the whole world.

If only we could just faintly, even in a small degree, understand the significance of this clause, “deceives the whole world.” Satan deceives. He has deceived you, and he has deceived me. In fact, every time we sin we have been deceived by Satan, deceived into thinking that his plan is superior to God’s plan. For whatever reason, he deceives us by one means or another, and he has many ways of deceiving.

Master Deceiver

Satan is a master artist of deception. From the time you were born, he has been studying your life. He has a careful record of your life.

At one time, I studied the Bible with a lady whose six-year-old daughter had recently passed away. Oh, how she grieved over the death of that daughter.

In her house there was a stairway leading up to the second story where the bedrooms were located. As she climbed those stairs one day, she looked up towards her daughter’s bedroom and there at the head of the stairs, for one fleeting moment she saw her daughter standing there looking at her and smiling, and then she vanished away. This mother just knew that her daughter was alright, that she was in heaven and had come down to give her assurance and peace.

This lady knew then that the Bible was wrong¾or at least the way we were interpreting the state of the dead was wrong. Of course, it was no one’s interpretation; it was what the Bible says! “The dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” Ecclesiastes 9:5.

But because of this experience, she decided that everything else she had learned in the Bible was wrong. She rejected everything. She was deceived. The devil knew right where to strike at her heart to bring the deception that will cost her salvation, unless she chooses to change sometime.

Master File

Satan has a master file of your life. He has traced every event of your life. He has it all on his computer memory. He has studied it; his angels who are concerned with you have studied it. They know your special desires; they know your special weaknesses. They know your felt needs; they know your insecurities. They know your weaknesses; they know what offends and what irritates you the easiest. They know it all.

I often ask people, Is there anything or any circumstance in the world that could cause you to be lost? Is there anything that could cause you to give up the truth, cause you to be lost? If you know of anything in life that could cause you to give up your salvation, rest assured that Satan is going to use all his power to bring that very thing about in your life. He is here to cause your destruction.

Young lady, what is it that could cause you to be lost? Is it your looks? Are you proud of your looks? Could somebody come along and flatter you and sweep you off your feet, as the serpent did Eve? “It was Satan that spoke, not the serpent. Eve was beguiled, flattered, infatuated.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 36. Satan first flattered her to gain her confidence. Are there needs in your life? Are you lonely at times? Do you need some kind of attention and affection? If the right young man should come along, could he cause your eternal destruction? Could he cause you to give up what you know to be right in the area of being unequally yoked? Could he cause you to transgress?

God wants you to be fulfilled; He wants you to be happy; but rest assured that if there is something you need or desire desperately, Satan will seek to fulfill it first.

You will be tested. What is it that could cause you to be lost? Is it money, or is it lack of money? Is it position, or is it lack of position? Is it vain philosophy, or is it something in the church? Is it somebody talking about somebody or is it something that the Nominating Committee could do? What is it that could cause your loss of confidence in God? What is it that could cause you to give up your experience?

Satan has a temptation – probably more than one – that is tailor made for you. Your temptation will probably not be the same as my temptation, because Satan knows that your temptation probably would not work on me. I have temptations, but my temptations probably will not be the same as your temptations, because mine are tailor made. Satan knows that the temptations he brings me probably would not work with you.

If anyone has the idea that you can get to those pearly gates by being spoon fed all the way, it will not, cannot happen. Someday, some way, we must take the field of the battle and meet the devil face to face alone, as far as humanity is concerned. However, we are never truly alone, because God’s power is ever with us if we choose and ask for it.

We must meet the battle of life, and we must be individually conquerors.

Where God Leads

And so it says, in Revelation 12:9, “The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.”

Yet there was One who was not deceived. Of all the people who have ever lived in the world, only One has never been deceived, Christ Jesus. At the same time, there has never been anyone who has been tempted more than He has.

As mentioned previously, Satan has a file folder on us that includes anything we have ever done. He knows what it is that can bring us to destruction, if it is possible. But for Christ, Satan had prepared for 4,000 years. He used all of his computers in figuring out how to cause Him to be lost. He put all of his energy into Christ’s destruction, into His deception. He knew Him like a book, and there in the wilderness he met Him face to face. He had been seeking to weaken Him, to cause Him to give up His faith and confidence, from the time He was born, but the time was right for that face to face confrontation that we must all meet some place, some time.

For 40 days Christ was without food. He had been led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1.) He went where the Holy Spirit told Him to go. We all know, do we not, that if we go where God leads us, He will take care of us? The Bible assures us that our food and water will be sure. (See Isaiah 33:16.)

Jesus went where God led Him and left Him. He trusted His Father implicitly and completely to provide for His needs. He had a bed at home in Nazareth, and food awaited Him there, but that is not where God led Him. God led Him out to a wilderness in a foreign country, and there He left Him without food and shelter.

The Bible account of this experience states that there were also wild beasts in the wilderness. Christ was there without any visible means of protection. What should He do when the nighttime came? There was nothing to do but to lie down in the sand and go to sleep. When the morning came, the children of Israel, when they were led out into the wilderness, found a dew-like material that was food, manna, on the ground, but when Jesus awoke there was no manna.

When Elijah was sent out by the brook, ravens brought him food (1 Kings 17:1-6), but there were no ravens with food in their mouths when Jesus was in the wilderness. He knew all the promises in the Bible; He knew all the experiences of the Bible; He knew all the events of the Bible. He knew how God had cared for those before Him, but care was not given to Him. However, there He stayed, day after day.

Jesus was unique in that He had the power to provide for Himself, yet God had ordained that He should come down and live as a man among men and that He would trust in Him completely, and Him only, for His sustenance. That is what we have to do. Jesus could not be our example if He made things for Himself, if He so took care of Himself. He had to depend explicitly on God.

Day after day Jesus continued to pray and trust.

Temptation of Appetite

We do not know what all Satan said to Christ in the wilderness, but he was and still is a master deceiver. “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ ” Matthew 4:2, 3. Ellen White, writing of this trying time, states:

“As man could not, in his human strength, resist the power of Satan’s temptations, Jesus volunteered to undertake the work, and bear the burden for man, and overcome the power of appetite in his behalf. He must show in man’s behalf, self-denial and perseverance, and firmness of principle that is paramount to the gnawing pangs of hunger. He must show a power of control over appetite stronger than hunger and even death.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 272.

“All was lost when Adam yielded to the power of appetite. The Redeemer, in whom was united both the human and the divine, stood in Adam’s place, and endured a terrible fast of nearly six weeks. The length of this fast is the strongest evidence of the extent of the sinfulness and power of debased appetite upon the human family.” Ibid.

Suppose you had gone a week or even two weeks without food. You had been praying day and night that God would take care of you; you had been claiming the promises of the Word of God. All you had in the house was a little tithe money, and an angel appeared to you and said, “The Lord has heard your prayer. He wants you to take the tithe money and buy yourself some food.”

Might it be a temptation to believe that was from God?

Jesus Not Deceived

Why was it that Jesus was not deceived like we usually are? The answer is given in 11 Thessalonians 2:8-10: “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the [lawless one] is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

This passage clearly states that Satan possesses glory and power. It looks like righteousness, but in actuality it is unrighteousness. It is a deception. The Bible says that Satan comes down as an angel of light; he has power to work miracles. (See 11 Corinthians 11:14; Matthew 24:24.)

Jesus loved truth more than He loved life itself. He would rather die than sacrifice one precept of the Bible, sacrifice one aspect of truth.

All This May Be Yours

From the wilderness, the devil took Christ to the pinnacle of the temple. He again tempted Him, saying, “Demonstrate Your faith. Show me your faith.” (Matthew 4:5-7.)

Then he led Him out to the side of a hill and, from that elevated site, showed Him the kingdoms of the world. There they were laid out in all their glory¾the marble, the gold, the silver. Christ could see the most beautiful portions of Pompeii, of Rome, of Jerusalem, of Alexandria, and the other great cities of the day¾the seaport cities, the inland cities, the cities of India. He could see them all, with the mosques and temples, the gardens, and the hanging gardens.

He could see the people there, the beautiful women, the men, and the little children. Oh, Satan knew how He would love to hold the children on His lap and take them to heaven with Him. How He loved those children, those for whom He came to die and to save. Satan chided, “They are all Yours. I give them to You. I will quit deceiving them. You can have them all. You can be their King and Master; after all, that is why You came. All You need to do is bow down and worship me; just bow on one knee; that will do.” (Verses 8, 9.)

Perhaps Jesus turned from the panoramic scene of the kingdoms of the world to view another scene, the scene of Himself on a narrow path strewn with stones, thorns, and thistles. There was blood upon those rocks, and as that path stretched tortuously up, at the top of that path He saw a cross with splinters in it, and hanging on that cross was a man, and as He looked, He recognized that it was Himself.

Ah, there was a choice¾a mere act of homage or the cross. I am so happy that Jesus chose the cross, for it was through that choice that He gained the victory over temptation, gained the victory over deception, gained the victory over Satan, and brought us victory. For it is in that blood that we can be saved, that we can find salvation from the temptation and the deceptions of Satan.

Do you spend time at the cross every day? Do you suppose that you can overcome Satan on your own? Do you think you are strong enough to do so? There at the cross of Calvary Satan was overcome. That is where we must go if we want to find victory over Satan. If we want to be undeceived, we must go to the cross too.

To be continued . . .

Steps to Life was founded by Pastor Marshall Grosboll and his wife Lillian. In 1987, a television program was developed and started to air on the local Wichita, Kansas, television station. A Bible Correspondence School was also started which still exists today. Returning from a camp meeting in July 1991 held in Washington state, Marshall and his family met with tragedy as the airplane he was piloting went down, killing all aboard including his wife and two young children.

Victory in Jesus, Part IV

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In the September 2007 and October 2007 issues of LandMarks, we reviewed keys that will help us to overcome temptation and sin. In summary:

1) We must not place ourselves in the way of temptation. The Bible tells us: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14. “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Job 31:1.

2) If we are placed in the way of temptation because of circumstances, God will be with us as He was with Daniel and Joseph. (1 Corinthians 10:13.)

3) We should notice situations that bring temptation and try to stay away from such situations as much as possible. For instance, if you are impatient, perhaps it is because you are intemperate. “It is impossible for intemperate persons to be patient. They must first reform bad habits, learn to live healthfully, and then it will not be difficult for them to be patient.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 393.

4) Temptation to sin starts in the mind. We must be ready to fight when the thought enters. Temptation is not a sin. Just because we are tempted with bad thoughts and sin does not mean that we are not Christians. Temptation is a problem when we yield to it. (II Corinthians 10:5, 6.)

5) A key to overcoming is to stay busy, so you do not have time to be looking for temptation. Idleness is not sanctioned in the Bible. (See II Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 6:6–11; 24:30–34; Matthew 25:26; Hebrews 6:12; Genesis 3:19.) We are given the blessing of work to keep us from idleness.

6) Do not become discouraged if it takes a long time to overcome. (See Mark 16:9; Luke 18:1–8.)

7) We must keep our focus in the right direction instead of looking at the hopelessness of a situation. (See Matthew 19:29.) Look at the big picture! Is there anything to which we want to cling and for which we would give up heaven? Is there any experience too hard to pass through to make it to heaven?

8) Memorize the promises in God’s Word and start to repeat them when tempted. (See Matthew 4:4; Psalm 119:11–16.)

9) In the Bible it says that if your hand offends you to cut it off. (Matthew 5:29-30.) For example, the right kind of music can be helpful and the wrong kind a hindrance. If the music to which you are listening is not helping in your spiritual experience, then perhaps it should be cut off and cast away.

We continue with this important counsel.

Constant Prayer

10) Pray when the temptation first comes. (See Mark 14:38; Matthew 26:41.)

I have found that if I parlay with the devil, I am no match, but if I pray when the temptation first comes, God gives the power to resist. Usually, if I do not pray, then I am sunk, so to speak, as far as falling for temptation.

“In the daily life you will meet with sudden surprises, disappointments, and temptations. What saith the word? ‘Resist the devil,’ by firm reliance upon God, ‘and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.’ ‘Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.’ [James 4:7; Isaiah 27:5.] Look unto Jesus at all times and in all places, offering a silent prayer from a sincere heart that you may know how to do His will. Then when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard for you against the enemy.” The Adventist Home, 214.

“If you will only watch, continually watch unto prayer, if you will do everything as if you were in the immediate presence of God, you will be saved from yielding to temptation and may hope to be kept pure, spotless, and undefiled till the last.” Ibid., 338.

“There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will become discouraged, and fail to persevere in prayer.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 175.

“If the Saviour of men, with His divine strength, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of prayer—fervent, constant prayer! When Christ was the most fiercely beset by temptation, He ate nothing. He committed Himself to God, and through earnest prayer, and perfect submission to the will of His Father, came off conqueror. Those who profess the truth for these last days, above every other class of professed Christians, should imitate the great Exemplar in prayer.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 52, 53.

“None will be placed beyond the reach of temptation; for in every character there are weak points that are in danger when assailed… In earnest prayer and living faith is their only safety.” Counsels on Health, 411.

“If we look at the picture of the days that were before the flood, and then turn our attention to the habits and practices of society today, we shall see that our earth is fast ripening for the plagues of the last days. Men have corrupted the earth by their sinful course of action. Satan is playing the game of life for the souls of men. Those who are doers of the words of Christ will find that they will have to watch and pray continually in order that they may not be led into temptation.” Counsels on Stewardship, 135.

“Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, He must commune with God, pleading for energy, perseverance, and steadfastness. Thus He showed His disciples where His strength lay. Without this daily communion with God, no human being can gain power for service.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 323.

“While you pray, dear youth, that you may not be led into temptation, remember that your work does not end with the prayer. You must then answer your own prayer as far as possible by resisting temptation, and leave that which you cannot do for yourselves for Jesus to do for you.” God’s Amazing Grace, 166.

Replace and Praise

11) When overcoming a bad habit, we must replace it with something good. (See Romans 12:21; Luke 11:21–26.)

12) Praise the Lord for what He has done for you. (See Psalms 103:1–3; 107:13–15.) An attitude of gratitude will lift your spirits even when you do not feel like it and things are not going the best.

Choose Associates Carefully

13) We must choose those with whom we associate wisely, because those are the ones who have an influence on us for good or for evil. There is danger in worldly associations. “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26.

“There is danger in departing in the least from the Lord’s instruction. When we deviate from the plain path of duty, a train of circumstances will arise that seems irresistibly to draw us farther and farther from the right. Needless intimacies with those who have no respect for God will seduce us ere we are aware. The fear of offending worldly friends will deter us from expressing our gratitude to God, or acknowledging our dependence upon him.” Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 115.

“Wrench yourself away from hurtful associations. Count the cost of following Jesus, and make it, with a determined purpose to cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Eternal life is worth your all, and Jesus has said, ‘Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.’ [Luke 14:33.] He who does nothing, but waits to be compelled by some supernatural agency, will wait on in lethargy and darkness. God has given his word. God speaks in unmistakable language to your soul. Is not the word of his mouth sufficient to show you your duty, and to urge its fulfillment?” Christian Education, 117.

“Great care should be taken by Christian youth in the formation of friendships and in the choice of companions. Take heed, lest what you now think to be pure gold turns out to be base metal. Worldly associations tend to place obstructions in the way of your service to God, and many souls are ruined by unhappy unions, either business or matrimonial, with those who can never elevate or ennoble. Never should God’s people venture upon forbidden ground. Marriage between believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God. But too often the unconverted heart follows its own desires, and marriages unsanctioned by God are formed. Because of this, many men and women are without hope and without God in the world. Their noble aspirations are dead; by a chain of circumstances they are held in Satan’s net.” Review and Herald, February 1, 1906.

“The association of the God-fearing with the unbelieving in these societies does not make saints of sinners. When God’s people voluntarily unite with the worldly and the unconsecrated, and give them the pre-eminence, they will be led away from Him by the unsanctified influence under which they have placed themselves. For a short time there may be nothing seriously objectionable; but minds that have not been brought under the control of the Spirit of God will not take readily to those things which savor of truth and righteousness. If they had had heretofore any relish for spiritual things they would have placed themselves in the ranks of Jesus Christ. The two classes are controlled by different masters and are opposites in their purposes, hopes, tastes, and desires. The followers of Jesus enjoy sober, sensible, ennobling themes, while those who have no love for sacred things cannot take pleasure in these gatherings, unless the superficial and unreal constitute a prominent feature of the exercises. Little by little the spiritual element is ruled out by the irreligious, and the effort to harmonize principles which are antagonistic in their nature proves a decided failure.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 542.

“Association with worldly-minded men and women dims the spiritual perception; for it is in direct disobedience to the plain injunctions of the word of God. In worldly society an earthly influence is at work, an atmosphere of poisonous miasma is there which is disastrous to personal piety. Those who truly love God will not cultivate the society of those who do not love Jesus. They will have some realization of their own individual weakness, and they will study prayerfully the word of God, that they may feed upon the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God, and they will find that Christian society and conversation is food to the soul, that in the society of those who love God, they breathe in the atmosphere of heaven. Christians will exercise love and sympathy one for another. The encouragement given one to another, the esteem manifested one for another, the helps, the instruction, the reproofs, warnings, the Christian counsel that should be found among the followers of Christ, will further them in the spiritual life; for Christian fellowship is according to God’s plan. Christians are to cultivate self-restraint, love, forbearance, and unity one to another by the cords of brotherly love. Thus they will together exercise faith, hope, and love toward God; they will have tender consideration for all of like precious faith, and will draw toward those who love God. There will be fellowship such as the world knows not of.” Review and Herald, November 27, 1894.

Surrender to God

14) Surrender to God when you first wake up, before you jump out of bed, before the devil has time to start sending you temptations. Ask God for help throughout the day. “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct [it] to You, And I will look up.” Psalm 5:3.

“Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.’ This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.” The Faith I Live By, 125.

“The Christian life is one of daily surrender, submission, and continual overcoming. Every day fresh victories will be gained. Self must be lost sight of, and the love of God must be constantly cultivated. Thus we grow up into Christ. Thus the life is fashioned according to the divine model.” Lift Him Up, 65.

Study Christ’s Life

15) We must spend time studying the life of Christ. As we study His life, we become like Him and are changed. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13.

“The power of evil is so identified with human nature that no man can overcome except by union with Christ. Through this union we receive moral and spiritual power. If we have the spirit of Christ we shall bring forth the fruit of righteousness, fruit that will honor and bless men, and glorify God.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 230.

“It is the will of God that each professing Christian shall perfect a character after the divine similitude. By studying the character of Christ revealed in the Bible, by practicing His virtues, the believer will be changed into the same likeness of goodness and mercy. Christ’s work of self-denial and sacrifice brought into the daily life will develop the faith that works by love and purifies the soul.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 249.

“It is only by acquaintance and association with Christ that we can become like him, the one faultless example.” The Signs of the Times, September 10, 1885.

Take Care

16) Work for others. Get your mind off yourself and your situation. Jesus our example went about doing good, helping others. (Acts 10:38.)

17) Take care of your body so you can have the best possible health. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” III John 2.

“One of the greatest aids in the perfecting of pure and noble characters in the young, and strengthening their capacity to resist temptations to do evil, to indulge appetite or to fall into any debasing excesses, is the possession of sound physical health. The mind and body are intimately connected. If the former is to be firm and well-balanced, the latter should be in the best possible condition. Conscience and right principles of life should be sustained by firm, quiet nerves, a healthful circulation, and the activity and strength of general health.” The Health Reformer, November 1, 1877.

Favorite Promise

My personal favorite promise for help in fighting temptation and overcoming the devil is I Corinthians 10:11–13:

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God [is] faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear [it].”

“With the consecrated worker for God, in whatever place he may be, the Holy Spirit abides. The words spoken to the disciples are spoken also to us. The Comforter is ours as well as theirs. The Spirit furnishes the strength that sustains striving, wrestling souls in every emergency, amidst the hatred of the world, and the realization of their own failures and mistakes. In sorrow and affliction, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone,—these are the times when, in answer to the prayer of faith, the Holy Spirit brings comfort to the heart.

“It is not a conclusive evidence that a man is a Christian because he manifests spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love.” The Acts of the Apostles, 51.

“All are accountable for their actions while in this world upon probation. All have power to control their actions, if they will. If they are weak in virtue and purity of thoughts, and acts, they can obtain help from the Friend of the helpless. Jesus is acquainted with all the weaknesses of human nature, and if entreated, will give strength to overcome the most powerful temptations. All can obtain this strength if they seek for it in humility. Jesus gives all a blessed invitation who are burdened, and laden with sin, to come to him, the sinner’s friend.” An Appeal to Mothers, 31, 32.

“You may see that you are sinful and undone; but it is just on this account that you need a Saviour. If you have sins to confess, lose no time. These moments are golden. ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (I John 1:9). Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled; for Jesus has promised it. Precious Saviour! His arms are open to receive us, and His great heart of love is waiting to bless us.” God’s Amazing Grace, 139.

“Abundant grace has been provided that the believing soul may be kept free from sin; for all heaven, with its limitless resources, has been placed at our command. We are to draw from the well of salvation.…

“We are living in the day of preparation. We must obtain a full supply of grace from the divine storehouse. The Lord has made provision for every day’s demand.” Ibid., 181.

“He who repents of his sin and accepts the gift of the life of the Son of God, cannot be overcome. Laying hold by faith of the divine nature, he becomes a child of God. He prays, he believes. When tempted and tried, he claims the power that Christ died to give, and overcomes through His grace. This every sinner needs to understand. He must repent of his sin, he must believe in the power of Christ, and accept that power to save and to keep him from sin. How thankful ought we to be for the gift of Christ’s example!” A New Life, 40.

“He who through His own atonement provided for man an infinite fund of moral power, will not fail to employ this power in our behalf…. In the whole Satanic force there is not power to overcome one soul who in simple trust casts himself on Christ.” Ibid., 41.

Results

Weak points can become strong ones. From the heroes of faith chapter, Hebrews 11, we read, “… quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” Verse 34. “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” II Corinthians 12:9.

It is like exercising. If you want strong muscles, you must exercise them, or they will be weak. As your muscles become strong when you exercise them, so also does the Christian experience become strong as it is exercised.

“Before honor is humility. The Lord can use most effectually those who are most sensible of their own unworthiness and inefficiency. He will teach them to exercise the courage of faith. He will make them strong by uniting their weakness to His might, wise by connecting their ignorance with His wisdom.” Conflict and Courage, 126.

“The Lord sees and understands, and He will use you, despite your weakness, if you offer your talent as a consecrated gift to His service; for in active, disinterested service the weak become strong and enjoy His precious commendation. The joy of the Lord is an element of strength. If you are faithful, the peace that passeth all understanding will be your reward in this life, and in the future life you will enter into the joy of your Lord.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 34.

“There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. All who consecrate body, soul, and spirit to His service will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical, mental, and spiritual power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in mind and heart. Through the grace given us we may achieve victories that because of our own erroneous and preconceived opinions, our defects of character, our smallness of faith, have seemed impossible.

“To everyone who offers himself to the Lord for service, withholding nothing, is given power for the attainment of measureless results.” God’s Amazing Grace, 208.

“He who is fully consecrated to the service of God will be made strong for the battle. He will be strengthened with ‘all might.’ He who feels his weakness, and wrestles with God as did Jacob, saying, ‘I will not let thee go, except thou bless me’ (Genesis 32:26), will go forth with the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. The atmosphere of heaven will surround him. He will go about doing good. His influence will be a positive force in favor of the religion of Christ.” In Heavenly Places, 314.

“Men’s weakness shall find supernatural strength and help in every stern conflict to do the deeds of Omnipotence, and perseverance in faith and perfect trust in God will ensure success. While the past confederacy of evil is arrayed against them He bids them to be brave and strong and fight valiantly for they have a heaven to win, and they have more than an angel in their ranks, the mighty General of armies leads on the armies of heaven. As on the occasion of the taking of Jericho, not one of the armies of Israel could boast of exercising their finite strength to overthrow the walls of the city, but the Captain of the Lord’s host planned that battle in the greatest simplicity, that the Lord alone should receive the glory and man should not be exalted. God has promised us all power; for the promise is unto you and your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Conflict and Courage, 118.

“The Redeemer of the world came from heaven to help man in his weakness, that, in the power which Jesus came to bring him, he might become strong to overcome appetite and passion and might be victor on every point.” Counsels on Health, 125.

“If the Christian feels his weakness, his inability, by putting his trust in God, he will find the grace of Christ sufficient for every emergency….

“Man has little power, and can accomplish but a small work at his very best… God is omnipotent, and at every point where we need divine help and seek for it in sincerity, it will be given. God has pledged His word that His grace will be sufficient for you in your greatest necessity, in your sorest distress. Christ will be to you a present help if you will appropriate His grace.” God’s Amazing Grace, 260.

Summary

Why is overcoming important? It is the key, if we are going to go to heaven. Through our overcoming experiences, we can help others by sharing with them what God has done for us.

There are three things we must fight against as we become overcomers: the world, the flesh, and the devil.

We must acknowledge that our condition is that of hopeless sinners in need of help. Christ and His merits is the solution. We must cooperate with Him.

“Never give up your faith and hope in God. Cling to the promises. Do not trust in your feelings, but in the naked word of God. Believe the assurances of the Lord. Take your stand upon the plain thus saith the Lord, and rest there.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 4, 410.

[All emphasis added.]

Jana Grosboll serves Steps to Life as its Network Administrator. She may be contacted by e-mail at: janagrosboll@stepstolife.org.

How to Overcome the Devil, Part II

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In Revelation 12, we are told that the devil deceives the whole world, but there are some who gain the victory: “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.” Verses 10, 11, first part. As we come to the cross where Christ gained the victory, we can have the victory too. The verse does not end there. Another word follows—and. “… and by the word of their testimony.”

Gaining the victory over Satan takes the efficacy of the cross, the victory of Christ, but we must also have the same victory in our lives. The union of the Divine with the human must be present. We must unite our lives with Christ’s.

What did Jesus say to those who desire to be His disciples? “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24–26. Oh, how few today have found that personal victory over Satan, but we may have the experience in our lives that happened in Jesus’ life!

Experimental Religion

“The young want just what they have not; namely, religion. Nothing can take the place of this. Profession alone is nothing. Names are registered upon the church books upon earth, but not in the book of life. I saw that there is not one in twenty of the youth who knows what experimental religion is.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 504.

What is “experimental religion”? That is when it becomes yours. That is when you have experimented with the promises of God and found them to be true. That is when you develop a personal testimony. Not one in twenty, we are told, have an experimental knowledge of religion. Oh, they may know how God delivered the Israelites from Egypt; they may know about Jesus in the wilderness; they may know a lot about Bible stories such as Daniel and the lions’ den, but they have never been delivered from the lions’ den. They have never been delivered from Egypt. They have never surrendered all of their life or self to the naked promises of God.

Not one in twenty knows what an experimental religion is, “but unless the spell which is upon them be broken, they will soon realize that the portion of the transgressor is theirs.” Ibid., 505.

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12:12.

How can we overcome the devil? From verse 11 we read that, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” There must be a union of the Divine with the human. Jesus’ experience must become ours. We must be able to testify that God is true. We must stand the test; we must overcome; we must have a testimony.

We cannot be saved by good sermons. We cannot be saved by listening to tapes and CDs or by watching videos and DVDs. They might all be right and good in themselves, but consider the example Jesus left for us. After He was with the disciples for three and a half years, He left them, and they each had to develop an experience of their own.

His experience was no longer sufficient for them. They had to develop their own experience. And so it is that God gives us various experiences and various trials to teach us and to give us this experience that we need, to teach us to trust Him.

Testimony of Victory

The question is, Do you have this experience? Do you have a testimony of victory in your own life?

This is a very serious question. Think of the three Hebrew slaves who were in Babylon when the decree went forth to worship the golden image set up on the plain of Dura. How easy it would have been for them to find it convenient at that particular moment to kneel down and begin to pray to God for help. They would not, after all, have been worshipping the image,
you understand; they would have been praying to the God of heaven. Do you think you could have rationalized like that? What would you have done? Would you have kneeled down and begun to pray to God?

If that had occurred, you could have come from that experience saying, “The Lord saved me from death,” but you would not have had a testimony. The three Hebrews received their testimony by going to the fiery furnace.

When we are at the point of an experience such as losing our job because we will not work on the Sabbath, and we step out on God’s promises, that is when we have a testimony. It is when we come to the place where everything is against us, we have nothing but the promises of God upon which to rely, and we take the stand that God can work. That is when we find that He is true. That is when we receive a testimony.

Too many of us do not have a testimony to bear for God because we have never tried Him. We have always knelt down when the decree went forth. Of course, we are pacified; we still think we are good Christians because we are not praying to the idol—we are praying to God, but we are kneeling down to the idol. We are afraid of that fiery furnace.

The testimony comes when we stand the test through the strength of God, and the test comes to everyone. Satan deceives the world, but we overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony, through the union of the Divine with the human. Jesus’ experience must become ours.

A Different Spirit

Peter noticed that there was something different about Mary, as she attended his meetings, conducted in the Portuguese language, in Quebec. Mary spoke Portuguese. But Peter noticed she had a far away look in her eyes, so he arranged to visit her as he visited all the interests from his meetings.

As Peter visited with Mary, he reviewed things the meeting attendees had been learning. Oh, she was thrilled about what she was learning; she believed the truths he was presenting, but there was something he had said that last night that bothered her, and that was when he saw that far away look in her eyes. The topic that brought that look to her eyes was about the state of the dead.

Mary, like a lot of young girls, had needed some attention, someone to love her, some years before when she was living in Paris alone. Through a friend, she met John, a tall, young man—blond, well mannered, muscular. He was everything that she ever wanted. He was respectful, and he understood her. She fell in love with him. They saw each other a number of times, and even though he visited her in her apartment, she remained pure. They were not cohabiting together. Then the time came that she moved to Quebec, Canada, and he moved with her.

What could be wrong with this boyfriend? It so happened that he was a spirit boyfriend. She did not know at first, but he turned out to be a spirit that had supposedly lived in ages past. Oh, the devil is working so hard on our young people to entrance them through their relationships. Usually, the devil can find a human being, too, that he can work through—just the right one, through whom he can create infatuation within a young man or a young woman whom God wants for His service, and who will distract them from God. In Mary’s case, it appeared as though Satan could not find anyone else, so he sent one of his angels.

Cost of a Testimony

Now, Mary had had this relationship for many years. Her heart was entwined around her boyfriend. But as Peter studied with her, the Spirit of the Lord worked, and this young woman wanted the victory that Jesus had. She wanted salvation. Consequently, she did something that I find very few young people are willing to do, sad to say. She broke the relationship. She and Peter knelt down and prayed, and she committed herself to the Lord.

The spirit boyfriend visited her that night. First, he tried to sweet talk her. When that did not work, he did something he had never before done. He became upset with her; in fact, he hit her in the mouth.

In spite of his warnings, she decided to go forth and be baptized. When the time came for her baptism, she told the evangelist, Peter, as she came into the baptismal pool, “He is here. He is right here in the baptistry with us.” She knew his presence; she had lived with him in her life for a long time.

As Peter commenced with the baptism, he tried to immerse her in the water of the baptistry, but a force held her up. Three times he tried to baptize her; he pushed with all of his might to get her under the water, but something pushed her up. The third time, she lifted right up out of the baptistry and landed in the congregation—wet, dripping, but not baptized.

What would you have done? Would you have continued with the baptism? Mary did. She walked back into the baptistry, and she was baptized.

She was asked to give her testimony at camp meeting that year, and she agreed to do it. As she was preparing, writing down her thoughts, the devil visited her again through her spirit boyfriend, John. He tore up her notes, and told her, “If you give that testimony, you will be dead in two weeks.”

Now, you and I have all heard stories like this, and we know when the devil says it, it happens, right? The person in some way is dead in two weeks. The devil has us all believing. But she decided to give her testimony anyway. She went ahead and gave it. She did not die in two weeks.

The devil is only as strong as God allows him to be. There is a protection that God puts around us. Do not believe everything Satan says. I am sure he would have liked to cause her death. I am sure he would have done anything to bring it about. But day by day she lives under the protection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the same as you and I do.

Ah, dear friend, the devil is seeking to deceive the whole world; he is deceiving the whole world today. But he can be overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.

I invite you to come to the foot of the cross. Allow some of that blood to drip on you as you meditate upon the sacrifice of Christ. Then step out on the promises of God and determine to do what God says, come what may, and see how the Lord will work so that you might have a testimony also.

Steps to Life was founded by Pastor Marshall Grosboll and his wife Lillian. In 1987, a television program was developed and started to air on the local Wichita, Kansas, television station. A Bible Correspondence School was also started which still exists today. Returning from a camp meeting in July 1991 held in Washington state, Marshall and his family met with tragedy as the airplane he was piloting went down, killing all aboard including his wife and two young children.

Pen of Inspiration – The Victorious Life

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Dear Friend:

The Lord has given me a message for you, and not for you only, but also for other faithful souls who are troubled by doubts and fears regarding their acceptance by the Lord Jesus Christ. His word to you is, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” You desire to please the Lord, and you can do this by believing His promises. He is waiting to take you into a harbor of gracious experience, and He bids you, “Be still, and know that I am God.” You have had a time of unrest; but Jesus says to you, “Come unto Me, … and I will give you rest.” The joy of Christ in the soul is worth everything. “Then are they glad,” because they are privileged to rest in the arms of everlasting love.

Put away your distrust of our heavenly Father. Instead of talking of your doubts, break away from them in the strength of Jesus, and let light shine into your soul by letting your voice express confidence and trust in God. I know that the Lord is very nigh to give you victory, and I say to you, Be helped, be strengthened, be lifted out of and away from the dark dungeon of unbelief. Doubts will rush into your mind, because Satan is trying to hold you in captivity to his cruel power; but face him in the strength that Jesus is willing to give you, and conquer the inclination to express unbelief in your Saviour.

Do not talk of your inefficiency and your defects. When despair would seem to be sweeping over your soul, look to Jesus, saying, He lives to make intercession for me. Forget the things that are behind, and believe the promise, “I will come to you,” and “abide with you.”

God is waiting to bestow the blessing of forgiveness, of pardon for iniquity, of the gifts of righteousness, upon all who will believe in His love and accept the salvation He offers. Christ is ready to say to the repenting sinner, “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” The blood of Jesus Christ is the eloquent plea that speaks in behalf of sinners. This blood “cleanseth us from all sin.”

It is your privilege to trust in the love of Jesus for salvation, in the fullest, surest, noblest manner; to say, He loves me, He receives me; I will trust Him, for He gave His life for me. Nothing so dispels doubt as coming in contact with the character of Christ. He declares, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out;” that is, there is no possibility of My casting him out, for I have pledged My word to receive him. Take Christ at His word, and let your lips declare that you have gained the victory.

Is Jesus true? Does He mean what He says? Answer decidedly, Yes, every word. Then if you have settled this, by faith claim every promise that He has made, and receive the blessing; for this acceptance by faith gives life to the soul. You may believe that Jesus is true to you, even though you feel yourself to be the weakest and most unworthy of His children. And as you believe, all your dark, brooding doubts are thrown back upon the archdeceiver who originated them. You can be a great blessing if you will take God at His word. By living faith you are to trust Him, even though the impulse is strong within you to speak words of distrust.

Peace comes with dependence on divine power. As fast as the soul resolves to act in accordance with the light given, the Holy Spirit gives more light and strength. The grace of the Spirit is supplied to cooperate with the soul’s resolve, but it is not a substitute for the individual exercise of faith. Success in the Christian life depends upon the appropriation of the light that God has given. It is not an abundance of light and evidence that makes the soul free in Christ; it is the rising of the powers and the will and the energies of the soul to cry out sincerely, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.”

I rejoice in the bright prospects of the future, and so may you. Be cheerful, and praise the Lord for His loving-kindness. That which you cannot understand, commit to Him. He loves you and pities your every weakness. He “hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” It would not satisfy the heart of the Infinite One to give those who love His Son a lesser blessing than He gives His Son.

Satan seeks to draw our minds away from the mighty Helper, to lead us to ponder over our degeneration of soul. But though Jesus sees the guilt of the past, He speaks pardon; and we should not dishonor Him by doubting His love. The feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross, or it will poison the springs of life. When Satan thrusts his threatenings upon you, turn from them, and comfort your soul with the promises of God. The cloud may be dark in itself, but when filled with the light of heaven, it turns to the brightness of gold; for the glory of God rests upon it.

God’s children are not to be subject to feelings and emotions. When they fluctuate between hope and fear, the heart of Christ is hurt; for He has given them unmistakable evidence of His love. He wants them to be established, strengthened, and settled in the most holy faith. He wants them to do the work He has given them; then their hearts will become in His hands as sacred harps, every chord of which will send forth praise and thanksgiving to the One sent by God to take away the sins of the world.

Christ’s love for His children is as tender as it is strong. And it is stronger than death; for He died to purchase our salvation, and to make us one with Him, mystically and eternally one. So strong is His love that it controls all His powers, and employs the vast resources of heaven in doing His people good. It is without variableness or shadow of turning—the same yesterday, today, and forever. Although sin has existed for ages, trying to counteract this love and obstruct its flowing earthward, it still flows in rich currents to those for whom Christ died.

God loves the sinless angels, who do His service and are obedient to all His commands; but He does not give them grace; they have never needed it, for they have never sinned. Grace is an attribute shown to undeserving human beings. We did not seek after it; it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow grace upon all who hunger and thirst for it, not because we are worthy, but because we are unworthy. Our need is the qualification which gives us the assurance that we shall receive the gift.

It should not be difficult to remember that the Lord desires you to lay your troubles and perplexities at His feet, and leave them there. Go to Him, saying: “Lord, my burdens are too heavy for me to carry. Wilt Thou bear them for me?” And He will answer: “I will take them. ‘With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee.’ I will take your sins, and will give you peace. Banish no longer your self-respect; for I have bought you with the price of My own blood. You are Mine. Your weakened will I will strengthen. Your remorse for sin I will remove.”

“I, even I, am He,” the Lord declares, “that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put Me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.” “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.” “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Respond to the calls of God’s mercy, and say: “I will trust in the Lord and be comforted. I will praise the Lord; for His anger is turned away. I will rejoice in God, who gives the victory.”

The last writings of Ellen White, written in California, June 14, 1914. Taken from Testimonies to Ministers, 216–220.

Children Story – Vera’s Victory

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Vera was one of those very lively little girls—you know the kind. Full of high spirits. The kind that makes a mother tired.

That particular afternoon Vera had been a little more lively than usual, and when the time came for her to go to bed, no one was more happy than her mother.

“At last!” sighed Mother, as she went downstairs after tucking Vera into bed and kissing her goodnight. “Now, perhaps I can have a little peace.”

Mother went into the dining room, now quiet and still. Feeling very tired, she decided to lie on the sofa for a little while and take a rest. Gradually she felt herself falling asleep. Then, before her eyes were quite closed, something began to happen.

Very slowly, very softly, the dining room door began to open. A little more, and a little more.

Who could it be? thought Mother, frightened. Had a burglar gotten into the house?

Then, what do you suppose? From behind the door came a white-robed figure. Yes, it was little Vera in her nightie.

Mother did not move. Nor did she say a word. She just pretended to be asleep, and watched.

Vera tiptoed across the soft carpet over to the dining table.

Now, in the middle of the table was a large bowl of apples, oranges, and nuts. On top of all was a big bunch of grapes. Vera had been looking at this bunch of grapes all day, wishing that it might be hers. Now she reached out her hand, picked up the grapes, and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door very quietly behind her.

Of course she thought that nobody had seen her. But Mother, as usual, had seen everything. Mother always does.

But now Mother felt very sad.

“To think that my Vera, my own little girl would wait till she thought I was not looking and then creep down here to steal that bunch of grapes! Oh, what shall I do! What shall I say to her?”

Then, just as Mother was feeling very much upset, something began to happen again.

Once more the dining room door began to open—very softly, very slowly. From behind it came the same little white-robed figure. It was Vera again, still in her nightie, and still clasping the bunch of grapes tightly in her hand.

Tiptoeing over to the table, she put the bunch of grapes back in exactly the same place that she had found it. Then, in a big, loud voice, she said, “And there, Mr. Devil, that’s where you get left.”

After that she turned around and started for the door. But before she had reached it, Mother was on her feet and her arms were clasped around Vera’s neck.

“Oh, darling!” she cried. “I’m so glad you won the victory over that temptation!”

What a happy time they both had then!

I like to think of what must have happened on the stairs that evening. All the way up, the voice of the tempter had said, “Go on, Vera; grapes have a lovely taste. Take one. Nobody will ever know. It will be all right. Mother will never find out.”

At the same time another voice inside her had said, “No, don’t, Vera. That would be stealing. That would be wrong. Mother would be disappointed. Do the right thing and take those grapes back! Put them back where you found them.”

Somewhere on the stairs the victory was won. And after that everything turned out happily—as it always does when we fight temptation and win.

Every boy and girl is tempted at some time or other to do something wrong. Sometimes the temptation is very strong indeed. Sometimes you may wonder what is the right thing to do. But if you listen to that little voice that speaks within your heart, the voice of conscience, you will not make a mistake. Jesus will give you the victory, if you ask His help.

The Story Book, Character-building Stories for Children, 18–21.

“He has made it possible for every tempted son and daughter of Adam, in every time of temptation, to gain a glorious victory. He has placed the power of heaven within the reach of His children.” The Youth’s Instructor, October 3, 1901.

Life Sketches – Victory for the Gospel

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No sinner has ever fallen so low or become so vile that he or she cannot find deliverance in Christ. The good news is that there is hope for deliverance from the power of Satan and the infirmity of one’s own sinful nature.

After the apostle Paul left Athens, known as a city of learning, art, and science, he went to one of the largest mercantile cities of the world at that time, Corinth, a city in direct communication with Rome and other large cities by either land or water. Because it was a trade center catering to all nationalities that travelled through, it offered a tremendous opportunity to the apostle Paul for the spread of the gospel. There were many people there for both business and pleasure, having little thought or care for anything other than the affairs of this present life.

Paul knew that if the gospel were established in Corinth it would be readily communicated and spread to all parts of the world. However, he was not oblivious to the serious obstacles that he would face in the prosecution of his work. Corinth, at that time, was almost entirely given over to idolatry. Venus was the favorite goddess. A large number of dissolute women were employed in connection with the worship of this deity for the purpose of attracting devotees of popular vice, so much so, that the Corinthians had become conspicuous, even among the heathen, for their gross immorality.

In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11).

In addition to the problem with idolatry, Corinth was populated by a larger number of Jews than at any previous time. They had become arrogant and insubordinate, not just to the Christian religion, but also to the Roman government. In fact, they manifested such a malignant spirit of envy and hatred, and created so much sedition and insurrection, that they had been driven away from Rome with many of them finding refuge in Corinth. Among those Jews who found refuge in Corinth there were many who were innocent of the wrongs that some of their countrymen had perpetrated. From this class there was a man and his wife by the name of Aquila and Priscilla, who afterward became distinguished followers of Christ.

Aquila and Priscilla were tent makers as was the apostle Paul who was also a tent maker by trade. Acts 18:1–3 says, “After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.”

The Jewish people had been instructed by God through Moses to train up their children with industrious habits. For this reason, the Jewish people looked at indolence as a great sin. Their children were all required to learn some trade by which, if necessary, they could earn a livelihood. Failure of a Jewish young person to learn a trade was considered a departure from the instruction of the Lord. Labor was considered elevating in its nature and children were taught to combine religion and business.

At the time of Christ, the Jews, although they had become wealthy as a nation, still followed this ancient custom. Paul, being a Jew, was highly educated and was admired for his genius and eloquence. He was a leader among the Jews, a member of the Sanhedrin, but, in spite of that, his education had not been considered complete until he had learned a trade. The apostle used his trade of tent making to be self-sufficient while preaching the gospel among the Gentiles.

Paul refers to this a number of different times throughout his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 4:12 he says, “We labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure … .” Again, he refers to it in 2 Corinthians 11:7, literal translation: “Did I commit sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?” Then again, in 2 Corinthians 12:13: “For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!”

Again He talks about it in his epistles to the Thessalonians. Paul was an earnest, energetic, self-sacrificing disciple of Christ. He was one of the world’s greatest teachers. He crossed the seas and traveled far and wide until a large percentage of the people who lived in the world had heard from his lips the story of the cross of Christ. Yet, in spite of this, he earned his own living by working with his hands.

He might have claimed support from the churches to sustain him, but he forewent this entitlement, even though he was feeble in health. He labored and toiled a large share of the night, frequently all night, that he might make provision for his own and other’s necessities. As he worked he instructed those who were making tents with him in the way of salvation. You might think of that today, if you are a gospel worker, if the Lord has called you to spread the gospel. If you think you are suffering great hardship and privations because you are not working in an occupation which brings large financial returns, remember Paul’s experience and witness to those in the work place around you.

Paul was in full-time ministry and entitled to receive support for his labor as an apostle of Christ, but he supported himself. His zeal and industry are a rebuke to anyone who claims to be a Christian and is indolent or a lover of selfish ease. In Athens, Paul had matched logic with logic. He had matched science with science. He had engaged in philosophical discussion with the Athenians, but when he reviewed the time and labor that he had spent in Athens and the number of converts, he decided he would follow a different plan of labor in the future.

Paul would no longer engage in elaborate arguments and discussions of various philosophical theories. He said, “I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1–5).

Jesus gave a promise when He was on earth that if you continue in His word so that you are His disciples, following and obeying His word, then a miracle will happen in your life and you will be set free from the bondage of sin. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone’ ” (John 8:31–33, first part). That was a lie. “ ‘How can You say, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed’ ” (verses 33, last part–36).

Jesus said that those who live in sin are in bondage to sin. If you are committing sin you are a slave of sin, because sin is an enslaving power that brings men and women into bondage. Do not claim that you are not in bondage to anybody or anything. The fact is that if you are committing sin, you are already in bondage. No slave to sin will experience eternal life and abide in the house forever. Only the Son who abides forever can set you free from the bondage of sin, so that you are not living a life of sin. When the Son sets you free, you will be truly free.

Friend, has Jesus set you free from sin? Are you continuing in His word and following the instructions? The Jews all over the land when Jesus was on earth were notified to watch His movements, as their religion felt threatened by His influence. Jesus was continually followed by spies who took notice of every word and act that they might be able to use against Him. Paul had to meet the very same spirit of opposition and prejudice.

In Corinth, Paul reasoned from Moses and the prophets and showed from Old Testament types and ceremonies that they were prophetic concerning the ministry, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Messiah. He showed that the Christian religion was the fulfillment of the Hebrew religion, and that, unless you accepted Christ, all of those ceremonies were meaningless. He brought his hearers down through the types and shadows of the ceremonial law to Christ. He showed how the Old Testament predicted the crucifixion of the Messiah and His priesthood in the sanctuary in heaven.

Paul showed that, according to the prophecies, the Messiah would be of the lineage of Abraham and David. He traced His descent from Abraham through David and proved from Scripture what was to be the character and works of the promised Messiah and the reception and treatment He would receive and that all of these predictions had been fulfilled.

The most convincing proof given to the Jews was that the gospel was simply the development of the Hebrew faith. The gospel is the consummation, the glory of the entire Jewish system. Paul then showed that repentance for their rejection of Christ was the only thing that could save the Jewish nation from impending ruin.

Paul rebuked the ignorance of the Jews, showing that the very scriptures that were their chief boast and glory, if they had understood them, showed that they were guilty. He exposed their worldliness and love of station, titles, display, and their selfishness. He appealed to them that even though they were responsible for the crucifixion of the Lord of glory, if they would repent, the impending ruin coming upon the Jewish nation could be averted. These were the final appeals given to the Jewish people.

Unfortunately, the Jews of Corinth closed their eyes to all the evidence that was clearly presented by the apostle and they refused to listen to his appeals. It says in Acts 18:4–6, “He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ ”

When Paul chose to go to the Gentiles, he started right next door to the synagogue. Notice what it says in Acts 18:7, 8: “He departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed, and were baptized.”

Paul showed those who listened that in spite of the dissolute, immoral life that they had been living, they could find deliverance in Christ. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore He [that is, Jesus] is also able to save to the uttermost [that is, completely, or entirely, perfectly] those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.”

Paul had had an amazing experience on the Damascus road. He was shown that all the ceremonies, rituals, and forms of religion that he had been so careful to observe, were useless. King David also had a conversion experience. After he had grievously sinned by stealing another man’s wife and attempting to cover his sin by having Uriah killed, he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. … For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:10, 11, 16, 17).

O friend, have you repented of your sins? Have you chosen to follow Jesus Christ? Have you asked that you may not only be forgiven, but that you may receive the Holy Spirit so that you will have the power to live a new kind of a life?

Paul had a measure of success. Many Corinthians were baptized, but, as the apostle looked at the depravity of that city—he had been opposed and rejected by the Jews and the Gentiles were so immoral and so depraved—he thought that this was not a very good place to stay working and try to build up a church.

He doubted the wisdom of building up a church from the material that he found in that city. Paul thought that Corinth was a very questionable field of labor and decided that he would leave and look for a more promising area. He was anguished in spirit because of the depravity among the Gentiles and the contempt and insult which he had received from the Jews, but the Lord who reads the hearts of all men had another plan that He revealed to Paul.

“Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city’ ” (Acts 18:9, 10).

In spite of the wickedness of that sinful city, God knew there were many people there susceptible to the truth. If they heard and understood the gospel they would repent, confess, and forsake their sins and be able to receive the Holy Spirit and begin to live a new life through the Spirit’s power. Paul’s preaching was a manifestation of the Spirit and power of God to change into saints of God people who had been ruined by sin.

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul addresses them as saints of God. He describes the sins of their former lifestyle and says that the unrighteous people who do those things will not inherit the kingdom of God. He goes on to say that though some of them were like that, they had now been washed, sanctified, and justified. Paul understood from this vision that God wanted him to stay in Corinth. It was a guarantee from the Lord Himself, that He would give an increase to the seed that was sown in the preaching of the gospel. Paul was so strengthened and encouraged that he continued to labor there for a year and 6 months.

Many of the people in Corinth who had been most dissolute and immoral accepted the gospel and were changed, becoming monuments of God’s mercy and of the power of the blood of Christ to cleanse from sin and from all uncleanness. Paul saw much success in presenting Christ to the people.

The unbelieving Jews again attempted to stir up trouble, going to the Roman proconsul in their attempt to get Paul arrested. “When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, ‘This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.’ And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.’ And he drove them from the judgment seat” (Acts 18:12–16).

The result of the Jews’ opposition to the gospel being preached in Corinth resulted in a signal triumphant victory in that city.

Friends, the gospel is soon going to triumph over all the world. Jesus invites all to be part of that victory.

 

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Bible Study Guides – Temptations of Christ, Part 2

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April 25, 2010 – May 1, 2010

Key text

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.

Study Help: The Desire of Ages, 124–131.

Introduction

“Christ glorified not Himself in being made High Priest. God gave Him His appointment to the priesthood. He was to be an example to all the human family. He qualified Himself to be, not only the representative of the race, but their Advocate, so that every soul if he will may say, I have a Friend at court. He is a High Priest that can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 930.

1 How much was Jesus tempted? Hebrews 4:15.

Note: “The Elder Brother of our race is by the eternal throne. He looks upon every soul who is turning his face toward Him as the Saviour. He knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity, what are our wants, and where lies the strength of our temptations; for He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He is watching over you, trembling child of God. Are you tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen. Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will heal. The Lord ‘telleth the number of the stars;’ and yet ‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’ Psalm 147:4, 3. ‘Come unto Me’ [Matthew 11.28], is His invitation. Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord. Your spirit will be braced for endurance. The way will be opened for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty. The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength. The heavier your burdens, the more blessed the rest in casting them upon the Burden Bearer. The rest that Christ offers depends upon conditions, but these conditions are plainly specified. They are those with which all can comply. He tells us just how His rest is to be found.” The Desire of Ages, 329.

2 What privilege is offered to us? Hebrews 4:15, 16; 6:19, 20.

Note: “True prayer takes hold upon Omnipotence and gives us the victory. Upon his knees the Christian obtains strength to resist temptation. … The silent, fervent prayer of the soul will rise like holy incense to the throne of grace and will be as acceptable to God as if offered in the sanctuary. To all who thus seek Him, Christ becomes a present help in time of need. They will be strong in the day of trial.” God’s Amazing Grace, 86.

3 How was this privilege obtained? I Peter 1:18–20.

Note: “Had silver and gold been sufficient to purchase the salvation of men, how easily might it have been accomplished by Him who says, ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine.’ Haggai 2:8. But only by the precious blood of the Son of God could the transgressor be redeemed. The plan of salvation was laid in sacrifice. The apostle Paul wrote, ‘Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.’ II Corinthians 8:9. Christ gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity. And as the crowning blessing of salvation, ‘the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Romans 6:23.” The Acts of the Apostles, 519.

4 How did Satan try to prevent our salvation and how did Jesus respond? Matthew 4:2–4.

Note: “With Christ, as with the holy pair in Eden, appetite was the ground of the first great temptation. Just where the ruin began, the work of our redemption must begin. As by the indulgence of appetite Adam fell, so by the denial of appetite Christ must overcome. ‘And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’ [Matthew 4:2–4].

“From the time of Adam to that of Christ, self-indulgence had increased the power of the appetites and passions, until they had almost unlimited control. Thus men had become debased and diseased, and of themselves it was impossible for them to overcome. In man’s behalf, Christ conquered by enduring the severest test. For our sake He exercised a self-control stronger than hunger or death. And in this first victory were involved other issues that enter into all our conflicts with the powers of darkness.” The Desire of Ages, 117.

5 What was the nature of Satan’s second temptation, and how did Jesus respond? Matthew 4:5–7.

Note: “Christ knew that God could indeed bear Him up if He had required Him to throw Himself from the Temple. But to do this unbidden, and to experiment upon His Father’s protecting care and love because dared by Satan to do so would not show His strength of faith. Satan was well aware that if Christ could be prevailed upon, unbidden by His Father, to fling Himself from the Temple to prove His claim to His heavenly Father’s protecting care, He would in the very act show the weakness of His human nature.” Confrontation, 49.

6 What was Satan appealing to in the third temptation and what was Jesus’ response? Matthew 4:8–10.

Note: “Satan knew that if Christ was indeed the Son of God, the world’s Redeemer, it was for no good to himself that the Lord had left the royal courts of heaven to come to a fallen world. He feared that his own power was thenceforth to be limited, and that his deceptive wiles would be discerned and exposed, and his influence over man would be weakened. He feared that his dominion and control of the kingdoms of the world were to be contested. He remembered the words which Jehovah addressed to him when he was summoned into His presence with Adam and Eve, whom he had ruined by his lying deceptions, ‘I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel’ [Genesis 3:15]. This declaration contained the first gospel promise to man.” Confrontation, 18, 19.

7 What promise was left for us as we meet temptations? I Corinthians 10:13.

Note: “The prayer, ‘Bring us not into temptation’ (Matthew 6:13), is itself a promise. If we commit ourselves to God we have the assurance, He ‘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.’ I Corinthians 10:13.

“The only safeguard against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. It is because selfishness exists in our hearts that temptation has power over us. But when we behold the great love of God, selfishness appears to us in its hideous and repulsive character, and we desire to have it expelled from the soul. As the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, our hearts are softened and subdued, the temptation loses its power, and the grace of Christ transforms the character.

“Christ will never abandon the soul for whom He has died. The soul may leave Him and be overwhelmed with temptation, but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the ransom of His own life. Could our spiritual vision be quickened, we should see souls bowed under oppression and burdened with grief, pressed as a cart beneath sheaves and ready to die in discouragement. We should see angels flying swiftly to aid these tempted ones, who are standing as on the brink of a precipice. The angels from heaven force back the hosts of evil that encompass these souls, and guide them to plant their feet on the sure foundation. The battles waging between the two armies are as real as those fought by the armies of this world, and on the issue of the spiritual conflict eternal destinies depend.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 118, 119.

8 How complete is our victory to be? Matthew 5:48; I Peter 1:15.

Note: “Through constant watchfulness and prayer, we may grow in grace, and perfect Christian characters. But prayer will be no task to the soul that loves God; it will be a pleasure, a source of strength. Our hearts will be stayed on God, and we shall say by our daily life, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world’ [John 1:29]. In view of what Jesus has done to redeem us from the power of Satan, how can we allow evil traits of character to gain the ascendency, thus giving Satan occasion to rejoice and exult, and bringing grief to Him who died for us? How can we cherish malice toward our brethren, the purchase of Christ’s blood, or even one feeling of unkindness? Let us put away all suspicion and hatred, and all feelings of bitterness even toward our worst enemies, those who are seeking to do us harm. But, brethren, do not wait until your heart is in harmony with your brother before you come to Jesus; for it is his spirit and power working in you that will give you the victory in this particular.” The Review and Herald, May 13, 1884.

9 How do we gain this victory? II Peter 1:2–8; Philippians 4:13.

Note: “Christ came to our world to be man’s surety, to overcome in his behalf, to live for him a sinless life, that in His power they might obtain the victory over sin. He came, saying, ‘I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee’ [Hebrews 2:12]. He placed Himself on a level with human beings, saying, I will stand at the head of the race, that through My humiliation, they may be accepted as members of the royal family. I will declare the name of God unto My brethren. I will put My trust in Him, just as I desire My disciples to do.” The Signs of the Times, August 26, 1903.

Additional Reading

“Christ came off victor in the second temptation. He manifested perfect confidence and trust in His Father during His severe conflict with the powerful foe. Our Redeemer, in the victory here gained, has left man a perfect pattern, showing him that his only safety is in firm trust and unwavering confidence in God in all trials and perils. He refused to presume upon the mercy of His Father by placing Himself in peril that would make it necessary for His heavenly Father to display His power to save Him from danger. This would be forcing providence on His own account, and He would not then leave for His people a perfect example of faith and firm trust in God.

“Satan’s object in tempting Christ was to lead Him to daring presumption, and to show human weakness that would not make Him a perfect pattern for His people. He thought that should Christ fail to bear the test of his temptations there could be no redemption for the race, and his power over them would be complete.” Confrontation, 49, 50.

This quarter’s lessons were prepared by Ruth Grosboll prior to her passing in January, 2010.

Bible Study Guides – The Overcomer

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June 6, 2010 – June 12, 2010

Key Text

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:7.

Study Help: The Acts of the Apostles, 589–602.

Introduction

“Jesus says, ‘To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne’ [Revelation 3:21]. Here is the beginning of our confidence which we must hold steadfast unto the end. If Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations, He will help us to resist. He came to bring divine power to combine with human effort.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 929.

1 When Jesus comes the second time, for whom is He coming? Hebrews 9:28.

Note: “As the inhabitants of the antediluvian world ‘knew not’ the time in which they were living, so the inhabitants of the world today know not, because they do not choose to know, that they are living in the last days. Christ has warned us to look for His second coming. He says, ‘Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. … Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season’ [Matthew 24:42, 45]? Everyone of us may well ask, ‘Does this scripture refer to me? Lord, is it I? Blessed is that servant,’ Christ says, ‘whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth’ [Matthew 24:45–51].” The Bible Training School, June 1, 1902.

2 What will the people be like for whom Jesus comes? John 3:1–3.

Note: “We have the promise that at Christ’s second coming, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; and he will take us home to himself, that where he is there we may be also. Then we shall enjoy with him all the glories of the world to come throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Why should those who look for this glorious hope be accounted foolish or insane? Is there not sanity and wisdom in entertaining this hope, the most satisfying of any brought to view in the word of God? Surely it is those who reject this hope, and scoff at the humble few that entertain it, who are insane and foolish; for they are devoting all their energies to the things of this short life, when there is offered them a life as enduring as the life of God.” The Signs of the Times, November 10, 1887.

3 What are we cautioned to do? Proverbs 23:23.

Note: “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23.

“The truth is precious; it has wrought important changes upon the life and character, exerting a masterly influence over words, deportment, thoughts, and experience.

“The religion of Jesus Christ never degrades the receiver. If it finds men and women earthly, common, coarse, unkindly in words, harsh in speech, selfish and self-caring, truth received in the heart commences its purifying, refining process. In words, in dress, in all our habits, there is seen reformation and those things that please God. Then all the world may see its influence in the transforming process.” Our High Calling, 34.

4 What does eternal life cost? Matthew 13:44–46.

Note: “The mighty shaking has commenced, and will go on, and all will be shaken out who are not willing to take a hold and unyielding stand for the truth, and sacrifice for God and his cause. The angel said, ‘Think ye that any will be compelled to sacrifice? No. no. It must be a free-will offering. It will take all to buy the field’—I cried to God to spare his people, some of whom were fainting and dying.” The Present Truth, April 1, 1850.

5 If we continue in sin what happens? Ezekiel 18:20.

Note: “It has been shown me that every church among us needs the deep movings of the Spirit of God. O we would point men to the cross of Calvary. We would bid them look upon Him whom their sins have pierced. We would bid them to behold the Redeemer of the world suffering the penalty of their transgression of the law of God. The verdict is that ‘the soul that sinneth it shall die’ [Ezekiel 18:20]. But on the cross the sinner sees the only-begotten of the Father, dying in his stead, and giving the transgressor life. All the intelligences in earth and heaven are called upon to behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Every sinner may look and live.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 197, 198.

6 What does God say about the righteous? Ezekiel 18:20, 21.

Note: “Our Heavenly Father paid an infinite price that we might come to him; and if our past life has been full of sin, we can now repent and come to God. The promise is that all who repent and turn from their transgressions shall be forgiven. None need be discouraged because their past life has been marked with objectionable characters. Hear what the God of heaven says: ‘When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him’ [Ezekiel 33:13–16]. ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool’ [Isaiah 1:18]. I am so grateful today that we have a living Saviour. There are many who go about as mournfully as though Christ were still in Joseph’s tomb with a great stone rolled before the door. Our hearts should be full of hope and joy, and we should be able to say with grateful tongues, Christ is risen, and is at the right hand of God to make intercession for us. He has carried his blood into the sanctuary, and will cleanse us from every sin.” The Signs of the Times, August 29, 1892.

7 If we come to Christ what will He do for us? Matthew 11:28; John 6:37; Revelation 3:20.

Note: “It is the work of the angels to come close to the tried, the suffering, the tempted. They labor untiringly in behalf of those for whom Christ died. When sinners are led to give themselves to the Saviour, angels bear the tidings heavenward, and there is great rejoicing among the heavenly host. ‘Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.’ Luke 15:7. A report is borne to heaven of every successful effort on our part to dispel the darkness and to spread abroad the knowledge of Christ. As the deed is recounted before the Father, joy thrills through all the heavenly host.” The Acts of the Apostles, 153, 154.

8 What are the righteous admonished to do? I John 1:7; Isaiah 2:5; John 12:35.

Note: “Love of self, pride and self-sufficiency lie at the foundation of the greatest trials and discords that have ever existed in the religious world. Again and again the angel has said to me, ‘Press together, press together, be of one mind, of one judgment.’ Christ is the Leader, and you are brethren; follow Him. Walk in the light as He is in the light. Those who walk in the footsteps of Christ shall not walk in darkness, but those who draw apart in unsanctified independence cannot have God’s presence and blessing in the work.” Christian Leadership, 11.

9 What should be the attitude of the righteous person? James 1:2–4; Philippians 4:4.

Note: “Spiritual prosperity is closely bound up with Christian liberality. The followers of Christ should rejoice in the privilege of revealing in their lives the beneficence of their Redeemer. As they give to the Lord they have the assurance that their treasure is going before them to the heavenly courts. Would men make their property secure? Let them place it in the hands that bear the marks of the crucifixion. Would they enjoy their substance? Let them use it to bless the needy and suffering. Would they increase their possessions? Let them heed the divine injunction, ‘Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.’ Proverbs 3:9, 10. Let them seek to retain their possessions for selfish purposes, and it will be to their eternal loss. But let their treasure be given to God, and from that moment it bears His inscription. It is sealed with His immutability.” The Acts of the Apostles, 344, 345.

10 What things should a righteous person think about? Philippians 4:8.

Note: “The chief requisite of language is that it be pure and kind and true—‘the outward expression of an inward grace.’ God says: ‘Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.’ Philippians 4:8. And if such are the thoughts, such will be the expression.” Education, 235.

Additional Reading

“The best school for this language study is the home; but since the work of the home is so often neglected, it devolves on the teacher to aid his pupils in forming right habits of speech.

“The teacher can do much to discourage that evil habit, the curse of the community, the neighborhood, and the home—the habit of backbiting, gossip, ungenerous criticism. In this no pains should be spared. Impress upon the students the fact that this habit reveals a lack of culture and refinement and of true goodness of heart; it unfits one both for the society of the truly cultured and refined in this world and for association with the holy ones of heaven.

“We think with horror of the cannibal who feasts on the still warm and trembling flesh of his victim; but are the results of even this practice more terrible than are the agony and ruin caused by misrepresenting motive, blackening reputation, dissecting character? Let the children, and the youth as well, learn what God says about these things:

“ ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue.’ Proverbs 18:21.” Education, 235.

“Gather up the rays of divine light that are shining upon your pathway. Walk in the light as Christ is in the light. As you take hold of the work of helping your children to serve God, the most provoking trials will come; but do not lose your hold; cling to Jesus. He says, ‘Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.’ Isaiah 27:5. Difficulties will arise; you will meet with obstacles; but look constantly to Jesus.” Child Guidance, 478.

This quarter’s lessons were prepared by Ruth Grosboll prior to her passing in January, 2010.

It is Your Choice

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The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought.” Steps to Christ, 43.

The further I have advanced in my Christian experience, the truer those words have become. We each have a battle to fight to gain the victory over self, and everything necessary to come off victorious has been provided through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Faith determines either victory or defeat in our Christian walk, whether we stumble or fall, succeed or fail. If our faith fails, then we are going to fail. “Every failure on the part of the children of God is due to their lack of faith.” Conflict and Courage, 166.

However, there is another deciding factor. “The will is the governing power in the nature of man, bringing all the other faculties under its sway. … It is the deciding power, which works in the children of men unto obedience to God, or unto disobedience.” Child Guidance, 209. The power of choice that God has given to everyone depends upon the right action of the will. Before the fall, man’s will was naturally in harmony with God’s will. Man was made upright with noble traits of character without any inclination towards evil. But everything changed after the fall when man’s will was given into the control of Satan who ever since has been working in man to do his good pleasure.

“In transgression Adam became a law to himself. By disobedience he was brought under bondage. Thus a discordant element, born of selfishness, entered man’s life. Man’s will and God’s will no longer harmonized. Adam had united with the disloyal forces, and self-will took the field.” The Signs of the Times, June 13, 1900.

What Adam forfeited by his disobedience, Christ reclaimed by His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. Now we have the freedom to choose on which side of the great controversy we are going to be, to continue in slavery to sin or day by day make decisions to walk in God’s ways. Though our soul, our body, and our spirit belong to Him who both created and redeemed us, we are given the privilege of freedom to choose one of the two forces contending for each one of us, one from above, or the other from beneath.

“Each human being is given the freedom of choice. It is his to decide whether he will stand under the black banner of rebellion or under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel.” In Heavenly Places, 361.

Choosing that blood-stained banner gives us the assurance that God hears and also responds to the cries of our heart when we cannot find the words to speak. “Every man is free to choose what power he will have to rule over him. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ. The demoniac, in place of prayer, could utter only the words of Satan; yet the heart’s unspoken appeal was heard. No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in words, will be unheeded.” The Desire of Ages, 258.

As there are two opposing forces seeking supremacy, let us look at some things that influence our wills and our decisions. An internet article entitled, Touching the Prospect’s Emotions in Your Sales Letter by Joe Farinaccio, written to explain how to write a sales letter that will generate responses demonstrates this concept that certain things must already be in place to get the expected response. It says, “Your prospect has emotions and you must touch these emotions in your sales letter. Your copy has to excite, stir curiosity, generate fear and create deep desire. If it does not, your copy will fail.”www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/emotions.htm. October, 2010. The reason for this is very simple, because by and large it is emotion that moves us. Even a person who appears to be completely unmoved by anything but cold logic will not act until he is motivated to do so by his feelings.

One of the most powerful things that influences decisions is feelings—our emotions. People are primarily moved by emotions. As Christians, we are to be controlled by reason and to move from principle. The higher powers of the mind are to be in control of the lower powers, but this does not happen without a struggle. Naturally, in our sinful condition, our emotions have a powerful sway over us, causing a constant battle. Often, faith and emotions are completely contradictory to one another. Emotions can cause people to do tremendous feats of strength, acts of heroism and also cause people to do some barbaric things in violent rage that they would not otherwise do. We call these things crimes of passion. Emotion can cause someone to be totally unreasonable. Other emotions can cause thoughts of suicide. Never underestimate the power of emotion!

This same article continues: “You must inject emotions into your sales letter for him to want to become a buyer. You can do this by studying three things. (1) Your prospect. You need to determine what kind of person he/she is and what he/she really wants from your product. (2) You need to know all the benefits your product will provide them. And (3) you have to match those up, the most important want of the customer, or the person; whether it is a desire to have something or a problem to be corrected within your prospect determines a primary emotion your sales letter will target. Your goal is to link the product benefits to these emotions. Find out what the person wants and then give it to them.” Ibid.

That concept determines what makes people successful. They find out what people want and then make a product to fill that need. Satan understands these principles well, and he is a master marketer.

One of the most powerful emotions that marketers use today and which, incidentally, is also the one that caused Satan to fall in the beginning is the desire for gain. Isaiah 14:12–14 says, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

Lucifer’s fall was caused by a desire for gain. He wanted to be like God. Lucifer was a high and exalted angel next in honor to Christ, but he was not content and wanted more. He wanted to be in the position of Christ. A special light beamed in his countenance and shone around him brighter and more beautiful than all the other angels. Yet Christ, God’s dear Son, had preeminence over the entire angelic host. He was one with the Father before the angels were created. Lucifer was envious of Christ and gradually assumed command, which devolved on Christ alone. Satan wanted more than he had and that caused his fall.

The first successful sale that Satan made is found in Genesis 3:1–6. Here we see how powerful this emotion really is. Adam and Eve were created holy and happy with no inclination to sin, yet Satan was successful even though he was limited in his access to the holy pair. “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And 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 of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

It was the desire for gain that caused the fall of Eve. She desired the knowledge that the serpent dangled in front of her. When Satan tempts us, he never gives us the whole picture. A good salesman always picks out the most positive benefits of whatever he is trying to sell.

“Satan desired to make it appear that this knowledge of good mingled with evil would be a blessing, and that in forbidding them to take of the fruit of the tree, God was withholding great good. He urged that it was because of its wonderful properties for imparting wisdom and power that God had forbidden them to taste it, that He was thus seeking to prevent them from reaching a nobler development and finding greater happiness. He declared that he himself had eaten of the forbidden fruit, and as a result had acquired the power of speech; and that if they also would eat of it, they would attain to a more exalted sphere of existence and enter a broader field of knowledge. …

“She coveted what God had forbidden; she distrusted His wisdom. She cast away faith, the key of knowledge.” Education, 24.

The desire for gain is a powerful emotion, and it is no different today. These same tactics work even more effectively today than they did then.

In Philippians 4:11, 12, it says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Paul learned this lesson. He said, “Whatsoever things I have, I am content.”

In I Timothy 6:6–9, it says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Contentment is a gift God can give to us. It is not in us naturally to be content, but God can give us that contentment if we ask for it. Without that contentment we are an open target for Satan’s temptations.

Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness: and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” In Matthew 6:19–21 we read, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

We must continually examine ourselves to know where our hearts are, because Satan knows our every weakness and is always ready to attack at every opportunity.

Another powerful emotion that moves people is the fear of loss. That is the fear that caused Adam to fall. Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the command of God and could not bear the thought of being without her. “Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the command of God, disregarded the only prohibition laid upon them as a test of their fidelity and love. There was a terrible struggle in his mind. He mourned that he had permitted Eve to wander from his side. But now the deed was done; he must be separated from her whose society had been his joy. How could he have it thus? …

“He resolved to share her fate; if she must die, he would die with her. After all, he reasoned, might not the words of the wise serpent be true? Eve was before him, as beautiful and apparently as innocent as before this act of disobedience. She expressed greater love for him than before. No sign of death appeared in her, and he decided to brave the consequences. He seized the fruit and quickly ate.” Daughters of God, 24, 25.

Christ had to face these temptations in the wilderness—the desire for gain where Satan offered Him the whole world and in the garden of Gethsemane, the temptation of the fear of loss. The fear of loss was most powerful, because it involved eternal loss and eternal separation from His Father, making His struggle in Gethsemane almost unbearable. These tactics are still successful today. Satan has been studying human nature and perfecting his craft for 6,000 years. In The Great Controversy, 555, it says, “Satan studies every indication of the frailty of human nature, he marks the sins which each individual is inclined to commit, and then he takes care that opportunities shall not be wanting to gratify the tendency to evil.” Satan understands how it works.

Writing to the Philippians Paul said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Philippians 3:7, 8. Though Paul suffered the loss of all things, he gained Christ and found contentment. Matthew 19:29 says, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” It may appear in this world that we lose; but, in reality we gain everything. As well as gaining eternal life, God has promised to repay a hundred fold whatever is lost for His sake. This is just amazing!

The use of stimulants also affects the decision-making will. “Opium, tea, coffee, tobacco, and liquor are rapidly extinguishing the spark of vitality still left in the race. …

“When the appetite for spiritous liquor is indulged, the man voluntarily places to his lips the draught which debases below the level of the brute, him who was made in the image of God. Reason is paralyzed, the intellect is benumbed, the animal passions are excited, and then follows crime of the most debasing character. How can the user of rum or tobacco give to God an undivided heart? It is impossible. Neither can he love his neighbor as himself. The darling indulgence engrosses all his affections. To gratify his craving for strong drink, he sells reason and self-control.” Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 36, 37.

Today, there are many more things that stimulate the emotions, the imagination, weaken the mind, affect the nerves, weaken the body, cloud the judgment, and bring the person into bondage, weakening the power to resist. We live day by day on a battlefield.

“By indulgence, the reading of sensational or demoralizing literature becomes a habit, like the use of opium or other baleful drugs, and as a result, the minds of thousands are enfeebled, debased, and even crazed. Satan is doing more through the productions of the press to weaken the minds and corrupt the morals of the youth than by any other means.” Counsels to Writers and Editors, 133, 134.

When I was a young man I used to read books containing mysteries and fiction. These have a similar affect on you as drugs, taking control of your imagination and becoming a way of escape from reality. They warp your mind until the fiction appears as truth and the Bible seems like fiction.

Lack of faith in God’s power has a tremendous affect on the mind and will. “Our entire life is God’s and must be used to His glory. His grace will consecrate and improve every faculty. Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character; for if you come to this decision, you will certainly fail to obtain everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you can not overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of unsanctified hearts, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 686. [Emphasis author’s.] If we do not believe that we can overcome and have victory, then we are not going to have it.

“Man does not build himself into a habitation for the Spirit, but unless there is a co-operation of man’s will with God’s will, the Lord can do nothing for him. The Lord is the great Master worker, and yet the human agent must co-operate with the divine worker, or the heavenly building cannot be completed. All the power is of God, and all the glory is to redound to God, and yet all the responsibility rests with the human agent; for God can do nothing without the co-operation of man.” The Review and Herald, October 25, 1892. Again, if we do not believe that we can do something, then we are not going to put forth an effort to do it. God can only operate when we cooperate with Him by submitting our will.

Overwork affects the ability to make good choices. “When the laborer has been under a pressure of work and care, and is overworked in mind and body, he should turn aside and rest awhile, not for selfish gratification, but that he may be better prepared for future duties. We have a vigilant foe, who is ever upon our track, to take advantage of every weakness that he may make his temptations effective for evil. When the mind is overstrained and the body enfeebled, he can take advantage, and press the soul with his fiercest temptations that he may cause the downfall of the child of God. Let the laborer for God carefully husband his strength, and when wearied with toil that must come upon him, let him turn aside and rest and commune with Jesus.” The Review and Herald, November 14, 1893.

We have an adversary. Satan is looking for every opportunity to ensnare us. He is ever upon our track and ready to take advantage of every weakness, of every opportunity that we give him, so we need to be diligent and make sure we do everything we can to not provide him with those opportunities. We must do everything we can to stand firm.

Intemperance weakens the faculties. “Satan has overcome his millions by tempting them to the indulgence of appetite. Through the gratification of the taste, the nervous system becomes excited and the brain power enfeebled, making it impossible to think calmly or rationally. The mind is unbalanced. Its higher, nobler faculties are perverted to serve animal lust, and the sacred, eternal interests are not regarded.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 151.

Though we have a tendency to categorize and put things in an order of importance and see some of these things as trivial, the Bible says that if we are faithful in that which is least we will be faithful in that which is much (Luke 16:10). How much time do we set aside for personal Bible study? “The reason why the youth, and even those of mature years, are so easily led into temptation and sin, is that they do not study the Word of God and meditate upon it as they should. The lack of firm, decided will-power, which is manifest in life and character, results from their neglect of the sacred instruction of God’s Word. They do not by earnest effort direct the mind to that which would inspire pure, holy thought and divert it from that which is impure and untrue.” The Signs of the Times, October 10, 1906.

Feelings of guilt have a deleterious affect on the will. “This feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross of Calvary. The sense of sinfulness has poisoned the springs of life and of true happiness. Now Jesus says, ‘Lay it all on Me. I will take your sins. I will give you peace. Banish no longer your self-respect, for I have bought you with the price of My own blood. You are mine. Your weakened will I will strengthen; your remorse for sin I will remove.’ ” Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, 305.

“Some things that look impossible to you now will certainly change in appearance when your heart is changed by the grace of God. Your heart has become sad at times as you know you are in an unsaved state and that you are grieving the Saviour by your wrong doings. When you come to yourself you are amazed at the distance you have placed between yourself and your Saviour. You have again and again resolved to reform, but you have as often failed because you made these resolutions in your own strength. Your moral power has become weak. Your will power is strong enough, but it is not strong on the Lord’s side. You are not able to fix your mind upon the Word of God. You have talked enough, but it has only sunk you lower. Your heart does not feel when you try to pray.” Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, 66.

This is not an exhaustive list. Whatever we do that weakens the mind or the body affects our ability to exercise our will and it also creates an opening for Satan and temptation to enter in. God’s grace is sufficient to sustain us, but we have to do our part. We must do all to stand. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.

“Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone. They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such effort must fail. Jesus says, ‘Without me ye can do nothing.’ Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness—all depend upon our union with Christ.” God’s Amazing Grace, 293.

Without Christ, our willpower is nothing. It is a power of choice, but it has to be linked up with Christ and with His strength to give us the strength to overcome. Through Christ we have all power available to us, but we have to put our wills on the right side, trusting in Him, not in ourselves. We must choose whom we are going to obey. The choice is ours.

May the Lord help each one of us to make the right choices and strengthen those areas of vulnerability. If we pray and ask the Lord to show us those areas, He will do it and give us the grace needed to do it. “As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 333.

This is the true force of the will when we ally ourselves with Christ, exercising our will to be overcomers in harmony with the will of God. Only then can we accomplish the Divine plan He has for each of our lives.

Jim Stoeckert is a staff member of Steps to Life, working in Faith Haven Christian School. 

Bible Study Guides – Victory

by

March 20, 2011 – March 26, 2011

Key Text

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13.

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 662–678; Early Writings, 269–273.

Introduction

“God will preserve all who walk in the path of obedience.” The Desire of Ages, 126.

1 How does the great controversy between Christ and Satan involve us? I Peter 5:8; Romans 7:14, 15; John 15:5.

Note: “Man is naturally inclined to follow Satan’s suggestions, and he cannot successfully resist so terrible a foe unless Christ, the mighty Conqueror, dwells in him, guiding his desires, and giving him strength. God alone can limit the power of Satan. He is going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and down in it. He is not off his watch for a single moment, through fear of losing an opportunity to destroy souls. It is important that God’s people understand this, that they may escape his snares.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 341.

2 Wherein is our only hope of victory? I Corinthians 15:57; I Peter 5:9; Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:37.

Note: “The example of Christ shows us that our only hope of victory is in continual resistance of Satan’s attacks. He who triumphed over the adversary of souls in the conflict of temptations understands Satan’s power over the race, and has conquered him in our behalf. As an overcomer, He has given us the advantage of His victory, that in our efforts to resist the temptations of Satan we may unite our weakness to His strength, our worthlessness to His merits. And sustained by His enduring might under the strength of temptation, we may resist in His all-powerful name, and overcome as He overcame.” Messages to Young People, 50.

3 Explain one duty we have in the plan of salvation. Ephesians 4:27.

Note: “The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his power upon us. But every sinful desire we cherish affords him a foothold. Every point in which we fail of meeting the divine standard is an open door by which he can enter to tempt and destroy us. And every failure or defeat on our part gives occasion for him to reproach Christ.

“When Satan quoted the promise, ‘He shall give His angels charge over Thee,’ he omitted the words, ‘to keep Thee in all Thy ways’ [Psalm 91:11]; that is, in all the ways of God’s choosing. Jesus refused to go outside the path of obedience. While manifesting perfect trust in His Father, He would not place Himself, unbidden, in a position that would necessitate the interposition of His Father to save Him from death.” The Desire of Ages, 125.

4 How is God willing to help us if we give our hearts to Him? I Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 50:15; II Peter 1:3, 4.

Note: “Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the apostle He says to us, ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.’ James 4:7, 8. We cannot save ourselves from the tempter’s power; he has conquered humanity, and when we try to stand in our own strength, we shall become a prey to his devices; but ‘the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.’ Proverbs 18:10. Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name.” The Desire of Ages, 130, 131.

“What human wisdom cannot do the wisdom of God can do through the surrender of the will, the mind, the soul, the strength, the entire being, to God. His providence can unite hearts in bonds that are of heavenly origin. But the result will not be a mere external interchange of affection in soft and flattering words. There will be a new experience; the loom of heaven weaves with warp and woof finer, yet more firm, than those of earth.” In Heavenly Places, 205.

5 How are we to do our part in overcoming? James 4:7, 8; II Corinthians 7:1; II Peter 1:5–8.

Note: “Will man take hold of divine power, and with determination and perseverance resist Satan, as Christ has given him example in His conflict with the foe in the wilderness of temptation? God cannot save man against his will from the power of Satan’s artifices. Man must work with his human power, aided by the divine power of Christ, to resist and to conquer at any cost to himself. In short, man must overcome as Christ overcame. And then, through the victory that it is his privilege to gain by the all-powerful name of Jesus, he may become an heir of God and joint heir with Jesus Christ. This could not be the case if Christ alone did all the overcoming. Man must do his part; he must be victor on his own account, through the strength and grace that Christ gives him. Man must be a co-worker with Christ in the labor of overcoming, and then he will be partaker with Christ of His glory. …

“It is a sacred duty that we owe to God to keep the spirit pure, as a temple for the Holy Ghost. If the heart and mind are devoted to the service of God, obeying all His commandments, loving Him with all the heart, might, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves, we shall be found loyal and true to the requirements of heaven.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 32, 33. [Emphasis author’s.]

6 How are we to work out our own salvation? Philippians 2:12, second part, 13; I John 1:7, 9.

Note: “The work of gaining salvation is one of copartnership, a joint operation. There is to be co-operation between God and the repentant sinner. This is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom, compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness.” The Acts of the Apostles, 482.

7 How do John 5:39, II Corinthians 13:5, and I Peter 1:22 describe what our relationship is to be with God’s word?

Note: “We must search the Scriptures with humble hearts, trembling at the word of the Lord, if we would not be in any way deceived in regard to our true character. There must be persevering effort to overcome selfishness and self-confidence. Self-examination must be thorough, that there be no danger of self-deception. A little catechizing of self on special occasions is not sufficient. Daily examine the foundation of your hope, and see whether you are indeed in the love of Christ. Deal truly with your own hearts, for you cannot afford to run any risk here. Count the cost of being a wholehearted Christian, and then gird on the armor. Study the Pattern; look to Jesus, and be like Him. Your peace of mind, your hope of eternal salvation, depend on faithfulness in this work. As Christians we are less thorough in self-examination than in anything else; it is no wonder, then, that we make such slow advancement in understanding self.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 332, 333.

8 What promise belongs to those who walk in the path of obedience? Number 23:21, 23; II Timothy 2:19, 22; John 14:23.

Note: “If they [the people of God living in these last days] follow after righteousness and true holiness, if they keep all the commandments of God, Satan and his agents will not be permitted to overcome them. All the opposition of their bitterest foes will prove powerless to destroy or uproot the vine of God’s own planting. Satan understands what Balaam learned by sad experience, that there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither divination against Israel, while iniquity is not cherished among them; therefore his power and influence will ever be employed to mar their unity and defile the purity of their characters.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 599.

“Often when Satan has failed of exciting distrust, he succeeds in leading us to presumption. If he can cause us to place ourselves unnecessarily in the way of temptation, he knows that the victory is his. God will preserve all who walk in the path of obedience; but to depart from it is to venture on Satan’s ground. There we are sure to fall. The Saviour has bidden us, ‘Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.’ Mark 14:38.” The Desire of Ages, 126.

9 Explain the details of the Christian’s armor. Ephesians 6:10–18.

10 Name one victor who testified to the success given to those who wear this armor. 11 Timothy 4:7, 8.

11 What should we be doing while the great controversy is being waged? Mark 14:38; Luke 12:37, 38, 40, 42, 43.

Note: “Those who watch for the Lord’s coming are not waiting in idle expectancy. The expectation of Christ’s coming is to make men fear the Lord, and fear His judgments upon transgression. It is to awaken them to the great sin of rejecting His offers of mercy. Those who are watching for the Lord are purifying their souls by obedience to the truth. With vigilant watching they combine earnest working. Because they know that the Lord is at the door, their zeal is quickened to co-operate with the divine intelligences in working for the salvation of souls. These are the faithful and wise servants who give to the Lord’s household ‘their portion of meat in due season.’ Luke 12:42.” The Desire of Ages, 634.

Review and Thought Questions:

1 What are people unable to do unless they are under the control of Christ?

2 Although Satan has conquered humanity, when is he forced to tremble?

3 How do we become coworkers with Christ?

4 What must we do if we do not want to be deceived in regard to our own character?

5 How should we wait for the Lord’s appearing?

©2005 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.