Satan and those who obey him are always in Hell, are always in unrest, frustration, torment, remorse. The wicked are driven by forces of darkness they cannot control. There is no peace for the wicked—ever, at any time!

Those who make their bed in Hell will find that true love, joyous love, peaceful love, is forever denied them. They will never again hear a child laugh or enjoy the frolicking of a kitten or gaze on anything else that is pure and beautiful in God's creation. They never again will hear the words, "I love you."

No temptation and testing happens to any individual except that which is common to all men. Christ Himself is no exception.

"Command this stone to turn into bread!"

"Not so," responded the Lord. "It is written: man's security comes from God's Word. Man lives by the Divine Word."

"Here, let me show you the pleasures of the world," hissed the beguiler.

"Not so," returned the majestic Conqueror.

Then He shook off the snake of seduction into the fire of God's judgment.

"It is written: God alone is to be worshiped. He is the source of all pleasure."

Christ endured the cross because of the joy, the pleasure that would be His to enjoy forever after His travail was accomplished.

How horribly bound people are as they slavishly serve the lusts of their own bodies! The Lord has compassion on us in our lowly, animal state. But true pleasure is found only in Christ.

It is only as we discipline ourselves against indulging in the fleshly appetites that war against the soul that we can be free of the pitiful chains of lust. Restraint produces freedom. Christ gives us the power of His own Personality so we can throw off these destructive urges. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

Christ Himself is our pleasure. He Himself provides us with all the joy we need.

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalms 37:4)

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11)

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 1:24)

Creativity and pleasure come through women and yet can be lost through women.

Eve was Adam's source of creativity and fulfillment of the Divine promises. But Eve was also the avenue that led away from God's Presence, away from Paradise.

Christ has had to die for the sins of His Bride, the source of His fulfillment of the promises the Father made to Him. Such are the wondrous ways of God.

A praying, devout wife is a pillar of strength for a man of God. A self-centered, self-seeking woman can ensnare the heart of the would-be conqueror and steal his crown from his head. There are "Sarahs" in the world and there are "Delilahs" in the world.

The Christian warrior overcomes through Christ the gods of pleasure. Christ is his chief pleasure. All else in his life is brought under the discipline of Christ.

To be continued.