Online Christian Literature Index
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THERE
is no member of a household whose individual piety is of
such importance to all the rest as the father or head.
And there is no one whose soul is so directly influenced
by the exercise of domestic worship. Where the head of a
family is lukewarm or worldly, he will send the chill
through the whole house.
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By G.A.W.
Grace
has to work a great many miracles in us before we get
far enough along to heartily sanction the words of St.
James, to "count it all joy when we fall into divers
temptations." But there is a place of such victory and
union with Christ that the soul can really find a source
of joy from every trial and temptation through which it
has gone. It is almost impossible for us to see any
benefits of being tempted while we are passing through
them; the sensibilities are so pierced by fiery darts,
the mind is so distracted by evil suggestions, the will
is so beset with opposite motives, the rattle of
spiritual musketry and smoke of battles obscures the
vision from seeing any blessing likely to come out of
it. Nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable
fruit of righteousness to them who are properly
exercised thereby. Among the benefits of being tried by
temptation, we may mention.
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By Martin Luther
But what does Peter mean in
that he says, abstain from the lusts that war against
the soul? This is what he would say: You are not to
imagine that you can succeed by sports and sleep. Sin is
indeed taken away by faith, but you have still the flesh
which is impulsive and inconsiderate; therefore take
good care, that ye overcome it. By strong effort it must
be done; you are to restrain and subdue lust, and the
greater your faith is, the greater will the conflict be.
Therefore you should be prepared and armed, and you
should contend with it incessantly. For they will
assault you in multitudes and would take you captive.
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By Robert Murray
McCheyne
A believer is to be known
not only by his peace and joy, but by his warfare in
distress. His peace is peculiar; it flows from Christ,
it is heavenly, it is holy peace. His warfare is as
peculiar: it is deep-seated, agonizing, and ceases not
till death. I have chosen the subject of the Christian's
warfare, that you may know thereby whether you
are a soldier of Christ—whether you are really fighting
the good fight of faith.
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Lust
has been the downfall of great men since the beginning
of time. Only but a few have escaped its crippling
effects. It has hit mighty men like David, Solomon and
Samson. In our generation it has struck those in
political office and other high respected positions and
it has been one of the driving force behind many crimes
across the United States in schools and other places.
The bible warns us to “Keep thy heart with all
diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” Prov.
4:23.
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By Thomas Brooks
Satan
is a spirit of mighty abilities; and his abilities to
lay snares before us are mightily increased by that long
experience of his. He has had time enough to study all
those ways and methods which tend most to ensnare and
undo the souls of men. He has made it his whole study,
his only study, his constant study to find out
strategems to entangle and overthrow the souls of men.
When he was but a young serpent, he did easily deceive
and outwit Eve; but now he is grown that 'old serpent'
as John says in Rev. 12; he is as old as the world and
is grown very cunning in experience. If Satan has such a
world of devices to ensnare the souls of men, then,
instead of wondering that so few are saved, sit down and
wonder that any are saved, that any
escape the snares of this cunning fowler.
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