A lifting up for the downcast - Bridge - VIII - Sermon 8

Required reading
A lifting up for the downcast by William Bridge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon VIII (A lifting up in the case of temptation).

My summary
Today we read Bridges' eighth sermon on Psalm 42:11.

In this sermon Bridges teaches us that sometimes the discouragements of the saints are drawn from the want of their temptations.

But, again, Bridges suggests there is no need for discouragement because:
(i) then they should gratify Satan and give him his end;
(ii) God our Father doth pity his children under their temptations;
(iii) all the temptations of God's people can be overcome and broken before they do fall on them;
(iv) God's overruling hand of grace is upon all the temptations of the saints as that they shall turn to their good.

Then Bridges encourages us with a discussion of Christ's temptation.

We are also given a comparison of the temptations of God's people and the wicked to show us how they are very different.

Lastly Bridges gives us some spiritual directions for when we are tempted:
(i) do not expect too much from any one means of help;
(ii) do not say of your temptation, this is no temptation;
(iii) consider what infinite engagements are upon Jesus Christ, to succour and relieve poor tempted souls;
(iv) think not to comfort or relieve yourself in temptation with mere philosophical or moral reasons;
(v) be not unwilling to advise with those that have trodden the way of temptation;
(vi) converse with the promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13;
(vii) consider what comforts lie behind your temptations.

What grabbed me
I liked this piece of advice: 'If you would not be discouraged in time of temptation, take heed that you do not say of your temptation, this is no temptation. Satan tempts, first unto what is evil, and then he tempts God's people to think that their temptation is no temptation : as long as man thinks it but a temptation, he thinks, it will not last long, it is but a temptation, it will not hold always, and so his heart is in some measure upheld with hope: but when Satan can persuade, that the temptation is no temptation, but a worse matter, then the heart sinks and dies : take heed therefore that you do not say that your temptation is no temptation. '

Knowing that you are being tempted is not all that bad.  It means that God has already been very gracious in revealing that it is a temptation and is keeping you from walking blindly into sin!

Next week's reading
Read Sermon IX (A lifting up in case of desertion).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.