Chapter 3 -- IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS CONCERNING TEMPTATION
Temptation Versus Sin
It is important at once that we distinguish between temptation and sin. It is no sin to be
tempted, seeing Christ was tempted, and yet without sin. It is only when the temptation is consented
to, and the will yields to the suggestion and solicitation coming from the tempter, that sin enters.
Temptation is that which proceeds from the enemy; sin is that which proceeds from the individual.
Hence, we must not call our temptations sin, nor our sins merely temptations.
* * *
Sin And Mistakes
A sin is a thing of the heart, whereas, a mistake is a thing of the head. A mistake is
something you did when you knew no better; a sin is something you did when you did know better.
Every tribunal of justice recognizes the fact that motive determines the morality of the act. Because
of ignorance, and because the human intellect never becomes infallible, we may never be saved
from making mistakes; but we can be and must be saved from all sin.
* * *
Accusations of Satan And Reproof of The Spirit
In like manner, it is important that the sanctified soul should early learn to distinguish
between the accusations of Satan and the reproofs of the Spirit. The accusations of Satan should be
instantly resisted and rejected; whereas, the reproof of the Spirit should be instantly heeded and
obeyed.
The Holy Spirit never taunts and torments the soul by accusing and criticizing, and
insinuating against it; that is always the work of Satan. He had evidently been engaged in that
nefarious business up in heaven, for we read in Revelation 12:10, "I heard a loud voice saying in
heaven . . . the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and
night." And since he is on earth he is ever seeking to torment, and falsely accuse the saints on earth.
He will dump a lot of stuff on your doorstep, and then assume the role of a ventriloquist and accuse
you for having it there, and thus seek to destroy the peace and happiness of the soul. "Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you" (Jas. 4:7). The Holy Spirit simply gives light, and gently
reproves, and warns, and woos the soul, and if persistently disobeyed, becomes grieved, and
wounded, and Sadly departs, leaving the soul in desolation and darkness.
* * *
Evil Thoughts And Thoughts of Evil
The failure to distinguish between evil thoughts and thoughts of evil on the part of a
sanctified soul has occasioned much unnecessary suffering, and soul loss, Thoughts about evil are
suggested from without, and cannot be avoided while the evil is all about us; indeed, we are
obliged to think about the evil before we can hope to remedy the same; but "evil thoughts"
originate within, and are the product and the evidence of an evil heart (See Mark 7:21) . However,
when a person can feel complacent in the presence of that which suggests thoughts of evil, and
takes pleasure in the same, thoughts of evil become evil thoughts, and must invariably incur guilt.
As someone has well said, "While we cannot prevent the birds from flying over our heads, we can
prevent them from building nests in our hair." A person may have thoughts about evil and have a
pure heart: but no one can have "evil thoughts" and have 'a clean heart. Of evil thoughts it has been
said,
"Sow a thought and reap a desire;
Sow a desire and reap an act;
Sow an act and reap a habit;
Sow a habit and reap a character;
Sow a character and reap a destiny."
Christ had thoughts about the evil that is in the world, and came to save men from the evil,
and its consequences; but Christ had no "evil thoughts." If the fountain is clean, the stream issuing
from the same will be clean.
* * *
The Twofold Source Of Temptation
The Bible clearly teaches that there are at least two separate and distinct sources of
temptation; the one that we may ever expect to have, and the other that we need not, and should not
have. To make this clear, we would first refer to the temptations of Christ in the wilderness, as
mentioned in the fourth chapter of Matthew. The record plainly states that He was "tempted of the
devil." These temptations were wholly from without. Satan was not in Christ, hence the
temptations came from the outside. This is what may be termed the legitimate source of temptation,
to which the Christian will be subject as long as he is in a state of probation. The Christian must
not expect Satan to quit business simply because he has set up shop; he is not that sort of a devil;
and he will ever ply his nefarious business.
But in James 1:14, we read of another source of temptation, as follows: "Every man is
tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." Here the source of temptation is
from within -- from "his own lust." The word "lust" in the Scripture has reference to any unholy
desire. The apostle is here saying, there are certain unholy desires, originating within -- springing
up from our own depraved natures -- by which we are "drawn away" and "enticed." We are
undertaking to say that Jesus did not have this form or source of temptation; and we need not and
should not have it.
In order to state this matter more clearly we would say, the carnal mind, "our old man,"
original, or inbred sin, which was inherited by us as a result of the fall in the garden of Eden, is a
most potent factor in temptation we think this will be readily admitted by all Christians. Now,
whatever part this depravity of our own natures may have in the matter of our temptations, was
certainly lacking in the temptations of Christ -- for the most excellent reason that He was always
pure and holy, and had no carnal nature.
At this point someone is likely to quote the statement found in Hebrews, that Christ was
"tempted in all points, as we are." So we would ask the reader to turn to this passage, found in
Hebrews 4:15, "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." That is how we read it,
and that is what it seems to say; but a little more careful scrutinizing of this passage will disclose
the fact that there are three words italicized: "we are yet." Every Bible student knows that this is
done so that the reader may know that these words were not in the original text, but have been
supplied by the translators. Since these three words were not in the original text, we will omit
them, and read, "but was in all points tempted like as . . . without sin." He was tempted as a holy
soul is tempted; as a person is tempted who is "without sin." He was not "drawn away of his own
lust, and enticed," for He had no indwelling sin; and neither should we have indwelling sin-since
the blood of Jesus will cleanse it out of our hearts (1 John 1:7).
It may be interesting to note what part this indwelling sin-nature plays in our temptations.
"Our old man" (Rom. 6: 6) and the devil are of close kin, and work together. For instance, when
Satan knocks on the door from without -- through some provocation, aggravation or temptation that
may touch us -- if the "old man" is still within, he is likely to respond and open the door by
prompting us to "give as good as they sent," and "let them know what we think of them," and "stand
up for our rights," etc., and thus let bitterness come into our hearts.
It was not so much what the other party said, or did, that caused us to backslide, as it was
what we said and felt in our own hearts. It is that inward response to the temptations from without,
that is our greatest peril, and occasions the inward conflict, and struggle, and unrest. We would
insist that this inward foe may e entirely eradicated and exterminated by the sanctifying baptism
with the Holy Ghost; so that although the enemy will attack and assault us from without, we may
have constant victory and peace and rest within.
Some have inquired, "How could a holy soul be tempted?" We would answer, just as Jesus
was tempted; or just as holy angels have been tempted; or just as our fore-parents who were
created holy in the garden of Eden, were tempted. There certainly was no appeal to, nor response
from, anything that was evil within, They were not "drawn away" by their "own lust, and enticed."
The temptation entered through the will, seeing they were free moral agents, having the power of
choice.
The unregenerate heart may be likened to a field covered with weeds, and thorns; in the
experience of regeneration these weeds and thorns are all removed, and the surface of the soil is
clear; but some roots remain in the soil and these roots are inclined to sprout and manifest
themselves in impatience, and pride, and doubt; in entire sanctification all these roots are
removed, Now there must be placed around this field a fence -- the posts of which are obedience,
and the rails of faith. But the enemy is ever alert and busy on the outside, and ever seeks to destroy,
or break down this fence -- and if he can succeed in doing so, he will again quickly sow the seeds
of sin, and tares in that field (heart) that had been entirely cleansed.
How could a sanctified person sin? Just as a person who has been entirely cured of some
malignant disease, might be stricken again by failing to observe the laws of health, or by undue
exposure. But in such case the fault is wholly his own.
