When We Suffer

“The hazards and dangers of Christians in times of persecution,

Things that cause us to suffer are for the most part recognizable, whereas temptations easily escape our notice. Satan, the Arch Deceiver, masquerades himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He often catches us off guard by piggy-backing our sufferings with ensnaring temptations when we are already wounded. As Job grieved the sudden death of his children and loss of his property, Satan compounded his sufferings by using his “helpful” wife to tempt him. Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die! (Job 2:9)

The effectiveness and power of temptation lie in our unsuspecting ignorance and gradual enslavement once we begin to yield. Satan employs whatever it takes to manage his temptations. And he does it in ways we least suspect in order to bring about the greatest damage. He may use a close friend (Psalm 41:9); a brother (Matthew 10:21); a son (2 Samuel 15:6); a daughter, a daughter-in-law (Micah 7:6).

 

Hebrews 11:37 shows Satan's mingling temptation with suffering: They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword . . . . Of the four methods of intense suffering that lead to their deaths, three are similar, but one is different.  

"The main design of Satan, in raising persecution against the saints . . . is not so much their blood that he thirsts after, as their fall by temptation: and all persecutions are designed by him to introduce his temptations. We must settle this principle in our hearts: It is better to fall into any suffering than into the least sin (Hebrews 11:24, 25.)  Suffering is but an external, individual, and temporary evil; but sin is an internal, universal, and continuing evil.” 
Ibid., 59,62.