'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — July 23

Avoid tempting and deceiving objects, which entice your hearts away from obedience. Avoid company or worldly business that drowns out the voice of God's commands. If God calls you into a life of great temptations, he may bring you safely through, but if you rush in wilfully you may soon find it difficult to resist. It is dangerous to be under the influence of strong and importunate temptations, lest their stream should bear you down. It is especially dangerous when you find yourself under temptation for a long time. You might become weary of resisting and yield at last. It is hard to be always in a ready frame. Few have their graces always at hand. If the thief comes when you are asleep, you may be robbed before you can awake. Constant temptation hinders the habit of obedience, and diminishes our hatred of sin and holy resolution. In this way, by slow unnoticeable degrees, we yield to commit the act. The mind that desires full obedience must avoid such distracting company or business. Removing the fuel puts out the fire. If you are unavoidably cast upon a strong temptation, take the alarm, and put on the full armour of God. Resist as if your life depended upon it. Consider each temptation as an effort of the devil to lead to your damnation. Suppose you heard Satan say; 'Take this, in exchange for your salvation; sell me this, for your God, soul, and everlasting hope; commit this sin, that you may be tormented in hell for ever. Do this, to please your flesh, displease your God, and grieve your Saviour.’ This is the truth behind every temptation. Would it not cause you to detest the temptation and reject it? With what horror would you fly from the most enticing bait! Watch, and resolve obedience since you know the design of the devil.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory, I:78
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