February 20

Satan designs every temptation to bring as much discomfort as possible to the saint, hoping to rob him of his peace and create self-doubts about his sincerity.

But God does not sit idly by. We have a sure promise that "the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous" (Psalm 34:15). First of all, He uses the temptations of Satan to one sin as a preventive against another. God omnipotent sits in the devil's council and overrules proceedings there to the saint's advantage. He allows the devil to annoy the Christian with certain troublesome temptations which He knows will drive the soul to watchfulness. So Paul's thorn in the flesh prevents his pride. God sent Satan to assault Paul on his strong side so that in the meantime He might fortify the apostle where he was weak.

Second, God uses the temptation to sin as a purgative against future sin. Peter never had such a conquest over his self-confidence, never such an establishment of his faith, as after his denial in the high priest's hall. This man, who recanted when questioned by a serving maid, became a bold confessor of Christ before councils and rulers. If you should trip over a temptation and fall headlong into sin, do like Peter. Use the experience to discover your prevailing infirmity and take measures to overcome it.

Third, God uses temptation to promote the whole work of grace in the heart. A good husband, seeing the roof leak in one corner, will send for a repairman to check the whole house. And a good wife, finding a stain on her husband's shirt, will wash the whole garment. This kind of concern for one's spiritual condition distinguishes a sincere heart from a hypocrite, whose repentance is only partial. Judas confessed his treason, but not a word of his thievery and hypocrisy. If he had been truly repentant, his sorrow for one sin would have broken his heart for the others also. David, when overcome by one sin, renewed his repentance for all (Psalm 51).

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