Lesson 26. The Variety of Trials

One of the advantages of the enemy of the human soul is that by concealing his plans from his opponent and convincing him that the enemy does not exist and that nothing terrible is happening, Satan very effectively sets his nets and quickly captures his opponent in them. He captures every careless person in them. When I do not expect the enemy and am not watchful in prayer, fellowship with Christ, or a useful activity, Satan brings his temptations crashing down upon me. He surrounds me with his agents, who pull me downward and persuade me to live according to the flesh, think about earthly things, and solve my tasks and problems in my own strength. There is nothing wrong with solving something in a human way. But there are moments and a way of life that God calls sin, and He offers His power called grace to resist evil.

There are people whom the Bible calls sinners because they live in sin and commit sin without understanding what they are doing. Genesis 6:5 says of the inhabitants of the antediluvian world: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” And Matthew 24:38–39 says of the inhabitants of the last days: “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.”

In comparing these accounts, I desire to emphasize the following: their thoughts and imaginations were evil, while Jesus said that they “knew not.” We experience the same thing today. Most people do not think about their salvation, but desire sin and commit it diligently and continually.

Love is also action. When Jesus asked His disciples whether they also desired to leave, Peter said:

John 6:68: “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of Eternal life.”

Love is a verb; it is a word of action. Jesus possessed this action. He acted with faith and love. Love is God’s work, which accomplishes the purpose for which it was sent. Love does not conceal its plans but acts openly and raises its banner high.

A war is taking place between the invisible forces of good and evil, between sin and righteousness, and between Christ and Satan. The battlefield lies between my right and left ears. Through the doors of my soul—my eyes and ears—these powers gain access to my heart in order to form their image within it. But I have the right to choose. I choose love, and God receives authority to form my character into His likeness, overcome sin within me, and eradicate it from my soul. Jesus gives me the mind of a victor and reveals Satan’s secret designs and temptations so that I can see dangers and avoid the trap. Love makes the enemy of souls visible and his plans known. When he understands that he cannot conceal his intentions, he pours all his fury upon me through his agents, sending me problems and difficulties and surrounding me with evil people who may smile sweetly while offering sin. The enemy plunges me into illness and desires to kill me. I am discouraged and have no time to study love. My life becomes one continuous battlefield with myself and my problems. Persecution is one of Satan’s most effective methods of depriving God’s children of a permanent home and their familiar circle of fellowship. It descends upon me. All this is not something new and unusual, but what a loving heart that seeks God and His righteousness encounters.

Yet amid all these trials, love becomes established within the heart forever. Such difficulties are the best school for learning and applying love.

“Fear not!” the Lord says. He will not leave His children alone to fight the forces of evil. He Himself wages this war and conquers. The symbol of His absolute victory is Calvary, and the power of His victory is the shed Blood of Christ. This is the pledge of my salvation. This is my victory.

If someone thinks that when he begins learning love his life will become easy and serene, I can disappoint him, because such a person has entered the enemy’s territory, which is full of surprises, and the enemy will not surrender his position without a fight. He will resist fiercely and accuse you of every sin that belongs to him. Expect trials; they will descend from every side. But readiness for such a turn of events and knowledge of the enemy’s tactics give you an enormous advantage in this conflict.

Problems have always existed and always will. But those who love resolve them much more quickly and easily. Jesus Himself takes everything into His hands and carries the whole burden of my cares and sins. The sooner I give it to Him, the easier it will be for me to win victories. I ask Him for help—the Lord acts. I ask for protection—He covers me. I ask for power—He gives me His Spirit. I ask for love—He gives me Himself. What a wonderful plan for waging war!

A battle rages all around me, yet I have peace within my heart. Satan’s fury crashes down upon me from every side, yet I seek those with whom I can share my love and happiness. The enemy desires to break my spirit, yet I pray and rejoice. What an unusual war. They desire to kill me, yet I thank God and sing songs to Him. Traps have been set for me, yet I put on the wings of faith and fly upward to the Heavens of God’s love, in order to immerse myself in this boundless ocean and hide within it forever.

Those near me do not understand me, and my values are foreign to them. But I look upon the One Who died so that I might live and learn to love as He loves. And the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit abide with me always. Amen.

1. Please read 1 Peter 1:6–7; 4:12–14; Matthew 5:11–12; and John 15:19–21 in the light of this lesson.

2. What did you understand from this lesson?

3. Has anything similar been taking place in your life since you began studying in this School?

4. Do you understand what is now taking place in your life in response to your prayers for love?

5. How do you withstand the various trials of your love?

6. Why are trials necessary?

7. Why does the Lord not make us loving people instantly?

8. What benefit do trials of love bring?