Book 3, Chapter 35: There is No Security Against Temptation in This Life.
Chapter Focus: Preparing against temptation has its own reward. We learn to be diligent and build up our resistance to temptation as we challenge ourselves to ward off the inevitable evil that hangs in the air. When we develop good habits, we need to daily put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:11-17): That is, the sword of the Spirit, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the girdle of truth, and carrying the peace of the gospel in the soles of our shoes.
As soldiers for Christ, we expect a battle. We don’t expect comfort. We expect the attack. And so we wait on the Lord expectantly, but with patience, knowing our salvation is nigh.
There is no security against temptation in this life, so be prepared.
Scripture Memory Prayer: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” (Romans 8:18)
Question: How are you preparing your armor against the temptations of this life?
Key Quote: Be not faint-hearted, nor go aside from Me, but constantly devote your body and soul to the glory of God.
Chapter 35, In Short.
1. We are never secure in this life, and our spiritual armor will always be needed.
2. If you seek rest in this life, what makes you think that you attain eternal rest?
3. Do you think that you will always have spiritual consolations at your command?
Question: How are you preparing your armor against the temptations of this life?
The Text of Chapter 35: There is No Security Against Temptation in This Life.
The Voice of Christ:
“My Child, you are never secure in this life, but your spiritual armor will always be needed as long as you live. You dwell among foes and are attacked on the right hand and on the left. Therefore, unless you use all sides of the shield of patience, you will not remain long unscathed. Above all, if you do not keep your heart fixed upon Me with a steadfast purpose to bear all things for My sake, you shall not be able to bear the fierceness of the attack, nor to attain to the victory of the blessed. Therefore you must struggle bravely all your life, and put forth a strong hand against those things which oppose you. For to the one that overcomes such resistance is given the hidden manna but great misery is reserved for the slothful (Rev 2:17).
2. “If you seek rest in this life, how then will you attain eternal rest? Do not set your sights on attaining much rest, but rather great patience. Seek the true peace, not in earth but in heaven, not in mankind nor in any created thing, but in God alone.
“For the love of God you must willingly undergo all things, whether labor or sorrows, temptations, vexations, anxieties, necessities, infirmities, 
injuries, gain-sayings, rebukes, humiliations, confusions, corrections, or despisings. These things help you grow in virtue. These things prove you a scholar of Christ. By these things, you fashion a heavenly crown. I will give you an eternal reward for a short labor, and give you infinite glory for transient shame.
3. “Do you think that you will always have spiritual consolations at your command? My Saints never had this, but instead encountered many griefs, and a variety of temptations, and heavy desolations. But they patiently bore themselves in all situations, and trusted in God more than in themselves, knowing that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom 8:18).
“Would you immediately have that consolation which many others have hardly attained after many tears and hard labor? Wait for the Lord, courageously quit yourself and be strong. Be not faint-hearted, nor go aside from Me, but constantly devote your body and soul to the glory of God. I will reward you with great bounty and I will be with you in trouble (Ps 91:15).”