sinners be made to
fear before the wrath of God. To be unwilling to fast when we feel the
movings of God's Spirit upon us to that end, is to soon become so dull and
stupid spiritually that we will have but little burden or concern for
perishing souls. If we want to walk with God and have a deep concern for
his cause and love for lost mankind we must be self-denying and "in
fastings often."

Trials And Temptations.

You may wonder why we have arranged the subject of "Trials and
Temptations" in the chapter of "Spiritual Culture." It is because they are
an excellent means of our growth in divine things. "All things work
together for good to them that love God." Trials prove to be for our good
in the spiritual life if we will boldly and bravely meet them in Jesus'
name. We are encouraged by the apostle James to count all temptations a
joy. It is evident that the apostle would not exhort us to count
temptations a joy if they were not for our good. The Bible tells us there
is a tempter. 1 Thes. 3:5. We also learn from the sacred page that God
does not tempt any man. Jas. 1:13. Matthew tells us that the devil is the
tempter. Mat. 4:1. God permits Satan to try and tempt us as we learn from
Job's experience. Satan can not tempt us beyond what God permits, and God
will not permit him to tempt us beyond what we are able to bear. He does
not permit one to be tempted more than another, but we all have
temptations such as are common to man. 1 Cor. 10:13.

Jesus was tempted in every manner that man is tempted, yet without sin.
Heb. 4:15. Jesus was not overcome by temptation, but he faithfully
endured. Because he was thus tempted and overcame, he knows how to deliver
the godly out of temptation. 2 Pet. 2:9. Not only does he know how to
deliver us out of temptation, but he is fully able to do so. Heb. 2:18.

Temptations and trials are necessary in the Christian life. But few people
realize the value of temptation. But few people, or perhaps none but what
would backslide if they did not have any trials. God has so arranged it in
the nature of Christianity or spiritual life that in order for the soul to
grow and develop it must be tested and tried. Leaning upon God in time of
strong temptation only increases our strength in God. Man would become
independent of God, however much he may think to the contrary, if he had
no trials and temptations. No true-hearted Christian has trials only such
as he needs. Peter says, "Wherein ye gr