Jesus' Promise to Us

                                            John Robert Howell



        I have said as much before and still strongly believe that error, animal magnetism, mortal mind, evil--pick the label you prefer--needs to be opposed and denied far more energetically and imperatively than many of us seem to. "Press on, press on, ye sons of light,/Untiring in your holy fight,/Still treading each temptation down,/And battling for a brigher crown."  (Hymn #290) 

        Christ Jesus saw clearly the need for Satan's eradication and assured his followers that each of them can utilize the talent or talents he has been given.  "Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy".  (Luke 10:19)  A good pair of metaphysical hobnail boots will be necessary.  This isn't delicate tweezer work, like building a ship in a bottle.

        A failure to energetically crush out each temptation to believe there is a power opposed to God may leave the woolgathering treader-down with a discouragingly long--and growing longer--work order.  But we have our Master's assurance that we can meet, upheld by divine power, whatever challenge we may face.