FAITH'S POWER TO QUENCH TEMPTATION

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" 1 John 2:15-16.

Faith empowers a soul to quench the pleasing temptations of the wicked one. This is called our "victory that overcomes the world, even of faith" 1 John 5:4.  Faith plants its triumphant banner on the world's head. And John tells us what God means by "the world": "Love not the world. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" 1 John 2:15-16.

All that is in the world is food and fuel for lust. Now faith enables the soul to quench those darts, which Satan dips into the poison of worldly lusts-- called by some the world's "trinity."

This is temptation, which promises pleasure to the flesh. It carries such fire in it that when it finds a carnal heart, it quickly inflames with unruly passions and coarse affections. The adulterer burns in his lust and the drunkard is inflamed with his wine.

No temptations work more eagerly than those, which promise delight to the flesh. Sinners are said to "work all uncleanness with greediness"-- with a kind of covetousness; for the Word suggests they can never have enough Ephesians 4:19. No drink will quench a poisoned man's thirst. Nothing but faith can help a soul in these flames. In hell Dives burns without a drop of water to cool the tip of his tongue. The unbelieving sinner is in a hell above ground; he burns in his lust without a drop of water, for lack of faith, to quench the fire.

By faith the martyrs "quenched the violence of fire" Hebrews 11:34.  "We ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared...he saved us" Titus 3:3-5. No one can ever shake off the old companions of lust until by faith he becomes intimate with the grace of God revealed in the Gospel. Faith strips away the veil from the Christian's eyes so he can so sin in its nakedness before Satan disguises it with flattering costumes.” 


 
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