One of the lies which Satan is fond of circulating is that sanctification is a life free from temptation.  When this is announced among those who are awakened on the subject, immediately there is a great cry, “I don’t want to hear any more about sanctification.”  One would think by the excitement aroused that people are actually afraid lest they should by some manner of means be deprived of the privilege of being tempted.  Let all such allay their fears.  Jesus was tempted even on the pinnacle of the temple, and we will never be above our Lord, and may well expect temptation until we pass from this world-stage to the other land.  No responsible Christian student teaches any such chimera as a life without temptation obtainable now.

A difference.

Personally, we have never heard anyone make such a claim.  What we do teach, and, better still, far better, what god promises, is an experience where we need not yield to temptation.  There is a difference, vast and important, between being tempted and yielding to temptation.

A tempted preacher.

A man is en route from New York to the West via the Pennsylvania Railroad.  The express stops at a junction in the mountains.  He leaves the car and walks up and down on the platform enjoying the view.  Near the station is a park.  Beautiful flowering shrubbery, shell walks, ivy-clad piles of rocks, splashing fountains, majestic shade trees and well-kept turf make the place attractive.  Beyond the pretty village a wooded mountain rises toward the bluest of skies, enticing to a stroll amid the beauties of a forest.  The preacher is strongly tempted to stop over a day and enjoy a brief rest.  Then he thinks of his word, given in good faith, to be in a certain place at an appointed hour; he remembers the souls which God might save through the sermon which he is expected to preach the next evening.  He is tired and jaded and worn.  Would he not be justified in telegraphing that he would not come until a day or so later than expected?  It is a stout temptation; but when the black-faced porter shouts, “All aboard,” and the bell rings he walks into the hot and dirty car and continues his tiresome journey.  Does not the reader see that a temptation to rest is very different from stopping and breaking an engagement and disappointing an audience?

A charming companion.

On life’s express we are all liable to temptation.  We are solicited to tarry, but we are so intent on our destination, and especially are we so charmed with our travelling Companion, that we bid farewell to fountain, and gravelled walks, and towering mountains and push on to that city.

Who teaches fanaticism?