“As long as his comrade, your old nature, is alive within, he will be knocking at the door without. The length of a man's combat with Satan measures the same as the length of his life. He is, as Jeremiah said of himself, born "a man of strife" Jeremiah 15:10. And once he becomes a saint, the struggles increase. From your spiritual birth to your natural death, from the hour you first set your face toward heaven until you set your foot inside the gate, you will have wars with Satan, sin, and self. Israel's march out of Egypt is, in a figurative way, our open declaration of war against the forces of darkness. And when did they have peace? Not until they reached Canaan.
No condition the Christian finds himself in here below is quiet. Is it prosperity, or is it adversity? Here is work for both hands-- to keep pride and complacency down in the one, faith and patience up in the other. The Christian has nowhere he can call privileged ground. Lot wrestled with the wicked inhabitants of Sodom, his righteous soul vexed with their filthy behavior. Then what happened to Zoar? His own daughters brought a spark of Sodom's fire into his bed, and he was inflamed with incestuous Genesis 19:30-38.
Some have thought if only they were in such a family, under such a ministry, removed from a certain temptation, then they would not be such weak Christians. I confess a change of air is a great help to an invalid, but do you think you can thus escape Satan's presence? No! Even if you were to take the wings of morning, he would pursue you. A change in circumstances may make him change his method of tempting, but nothing temporal can make him lay down his designs. As long as his comrade, your old nature, is alive within, he will be knocking at the door without. This diabolical opponent will challenge you at every opportunity. He delights to sneak up on you from behind, while you are kneeling, trowel in hand, planting seeds for the kingdom.”
We should also be mindful of this truth. 1Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617
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