The Eighteenth Sunday
after Trinity.
The Collect.
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ORD, we beseech
thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the
flesh, and the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only
God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9. Whom resist
stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in
your brethren that are in the world (1 Peter 5:8-9)
This
Gelasian Collect was translated by Archbishop Cranmer to say "grant us
thy grace to avoid the temptations of the world, etc"
but the learned revisers of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer made the seemingly
small change to read: "grant us thy grace to withstand the
temptations of the world, etc". Though the change of a single word
may seem trivial, it is not, for we shall certainly encounter the temptations
of the world. They cannot be avoided and are often allowed by the Lord for our
preparation as courageous people of God.
How
do we "withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the
devil?" How do we withstand the several diseases of the
physical world? First, and most desirable, is that we are inoculated to be
immune from those diseases that threaten our physical health. Secondly, there
are some diseases for which there is no vaccine and for which we must receive
prompt attention. The temptations of the world to our souls are of a similar
nature. The Devil seeks to infect us with the disease of sin. If he is
successful, a diseased sinner becomes one who carries his contagion into the
presence of all with whom he associates. Sin, like wild weeds, spreads across
the landscape without cultivation or tillage. It is not the weeds, but the good
grass, vegetables and fruits that need careful watering, fertilization, and
tillage.
Is
it possible to be immune to some of the Devil's temptations? By all means, it
is possible! The best immunity is the avoidance of diseased environments. If we
restrain from close familiarity with those who are constantly driven to lust
and sinful inclinations, we shall avoid those direct temptations foisted upon
those who do so associate with the friends of the world and of the Devil. But
there are temptations that lie dormant deep in the heart of man that will
emerge from time to time in spite of Godly love and zeal. How are these
temptations confronted and defeated? By watchfulness in guarding the
soul, and in constant prayerfulness, we may withstand those strong and ungodly
temptations that arise in the heart of every Christian: And he cometh,
and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon,
sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest
ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
(Mark 14:37-38)
If
we are strong in prayer, and watchful against that old Adversary of our souls,
he will elect to bring his greater temptations to bear elsewhere. When Christ
is the sole owner of our hearts, no other shall dare to invade those sacred
chambers of the Temple of God. We shall be stronger than the Devil and all of
his cunning traps if we have the One in our hearts who has handily defeated
that old Dragon. When a strong man armed
keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he
shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour
wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. (Luke 11:21-22)
Sin
is dirty. It changes our countenance of purity into a grimy image of filth. It
makes us sick and we lose the energy to perform good service to God and man;
and we gain a greater desire to go to the saloon of Satan for more of the
"hair from the dog that bit us." We track our filth everywhere we go.
One little `white' lie about a friend (or even a stranger) may circulate among
the multitudes until that person's character and reputation are savaged. One
promiscuous encounter can ruin a marriage and the lives of children. An aged
parent, dishonored, carries that testimony directly to the face of Christ when
he departs this life. Sin has consequences that are often irreparable.
Satan
is not omniscient, but he does have a mind and the means of observation. He has
learned the weaknesses in our defenses. He has watched intently as we have
prepared our lines. He knows where the walls of our souls are weak and
unprotected. It is at these points that he concentrates his forces and makes
his assaults. If he is able to penetrate our defenses, even at the weak points,
he gains command of the battlefield in rendering even our strong defense
impotent. He has outmaneuvered our flanks and gained a tactical access to our
innermost deployments of battle. When our lines are overrun, we have only the
option to call upon our reserves – hidden and unseen to the enemy. If that
reserve is God Almighty, He will expeditiously rout the unwelcome enemy from our
ranks, strengthen our interior lines, and restore order on our outward
defenses.
What
one vaccine has the greatest effect in dispelling the sinful nature? With
my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy
word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
(Psalms 119:10-11) We defeat the wiles of the Devil by seeking the Lord with
our WHOLE HEART, then there remains no faculties free to contemplate sin. We
hide God's Whole Counsel in our hearts which is a defense and a fortress
against sin. A casual piety will not do – it is the whole being that must
belong to God – the Heart, the Mind, the Soul! Is your faith a casual faith, or
does God own your soul – lock, stock, and barrel, Friend? If Christ is the
SOVEREIGN of your heart, no enemy can take possession of it.
Is He?
