Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

— 1 Timothy 6:11,12, NLT 

The Testimony 

We have individually to fight the good fight of faith, and war against the powers of darkness; for when the truth commences the work of purifying the soul-temple, the conflict between good and evil begins in earnest. 

The prince of the powers of darkness is playing the game of life for the soul. He is working with every device that he can invent, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, to separate man from God. The lust of the flesh, the pride of life, the vanities of the world, have taken possession of the soul-temple, and no room is left for Jesus. But when the heart is once brought under the power of the truth, even its secret recesses feel the renewing and transforming influence. To those who have lumbered the soul-temple with worldly cares, and desecrated it with buyers and sellers, we would say, Take these things hence, and let the truth have possession of the soul. Jesus stands knocking at your heart, pleading, “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Will we let the Lord of glory enter? 

If you will make room for Jesus, and cleanse the soul from the defilement of sin, you may enjoy perfect peace with God. But some will ask, How am I to do this? By an entire surrender of your will and your way to God. The peace of God will not rule in your hearts while you retain your worldly ambitions and indulgences. 

We are to watch every avenue of the soul, lest Satan come in and desecrate the temple of the heart, which should be wholly consecrated to God. We are to watch lest passion take possession of the soul, to watch lest selfish thoughts are cherished. The reason why there is not more vitality and power in the church is that we do not work and watch as we should. We should stand as faithful sentinels at the post of duty. I pray that the grace of Christ may come into our hearts, and that we may be ever watching for opportunities to do good. 

The promise is, “Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.”… If we lay hold upon the arm of Infinite Power, it will sustain us through every conflict and discouragement of life. 

— Signs of the Times, August 6, 1885 

The Response 

My Father God, as I war against the powers of darkness, I look to Jesus to purify my soul temple. I empty my heart from the lust of the flesh, the pride of life and the worthless things of this world, I surrender my will to the power of Your grace and truth. With praise in my heart, I take hold of Your strength and claim the righteousness of my dear Savior. I plead for the grace of Christ to come into my heart. Help me to watch for opportunities to do good.