them do every duty which has been made plain to their understanding , and they will be enabled to understand and perform those of which they are now in doubt . Satan can present a counterfeit so closely resembling the truth that it deceives those who are willing to be deceived , who desire to shun the self-denial and sacrifice demanded by the truth ; but it is impossible for him to hold under his power one soul who honestly desires , at whatever cost , to know the truth . Christ is the truth and the " Light , which lighteth every man that cometh into the world ." John 1:9 . The Spirit of truth has been sent to guide men into all truth . And upon the authority of the Son of God it is declared : " Seek , and ye shall find ." " If any man will do His will , he shall know of the doctrine ." Matthew 7:7 ; John 7:17 .
The followers of Christ know little of the plots which Satan and his hosts are forming against them . But He who sitteth in the heavens will overrule all these devices for the accomplishment of His deep designs . The Lord permits His people to be subjected to the fiery ordeal of temptation , not because He takes pleasure in their distress and affliction , but because this process is essential to their final victory . He could not , consistently with His own glory , shield them from temptation ; for the very object of the trial is to prepare them to resist all the allurements of evil .
Neither wicked men nor devils can hinder the work of God , or shut out His presence from His people , if they will , with subdued , contrite hearts , confess and put away their sins , and in faith claim His promises . Every temptation , every opposing influence , whether open or secret , may be successfully resisted , " not by might , nor by power , but by My Spirit , saith the Lord of hosts ." Zechariah 4:6 . " The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous , and His ears are open unto their prayers . . . . And who is he that will harm you , if ye be followers of that which is good ?" 1 Peter 3:12 , 13 .
When Balaam , allured by the promise of rich rewards , practiced enchantments against Israel , and by sacrifices to the Lord sought to invoke a curse upon His people , the Spirit of God forbade the evil which he longed to pronounce , and Balaam was forced to exclaim : " How shall I curse , whom God hath not cursed ? or how shall I defy , whom the Lord hath not defied ?" " Let me die the death of the righteous , and let my last end be like his !" When sacrifice had again been offered , the ungodly prophet declared : " Behold , I have received commandment to bless : and He hath blessed ; and I cannot reverse it . He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob , neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel : the Lord his God is with him , and the shout of a King is among them ." " Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob , neither is there any divination against Israel : according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel , What hath God wrought !" Yet a third time altars were erected , and again Balaam essayed to secure a curse .
368