Physical muscles are built by pushing against resistance. Spiritual muscles are built by pushing against resistance. There is no pill you can take or preparation you can drink that will put muscle on you, physically or spiritually.

In order to overcome while living in America the young Christian man or woman must be a person of steel determination. Nothing less will be effective. The presence of various forms of lust keeps seeking to weaken the determination of the would-be conqueror. Make no mistake, only the finest will have the courage and faith to throw off the tentacles of lust and walk before God in moral purity.

God is looking for a few good men and women. Are you going to be one of them or are you going to be an animal for awhile while others ascend the thrones of dominion and fruitfulness?

Lust will succeed in destroying the witness that attained such proportions during the first half of the week.

The witness is slain in Sodom. The witness is slain also in Egypt.

Egypt represents the things of the world. Numerous American Christians are deeply involved in buying and selling, in stocks and bonds, in amassing money, in obtaining material luxury. Some churches, against the whole record of the Scriptures, teach that material wealth is a sign of the blessing of God. So far have we fallen from Divine grace!

Some believers who are not very susceptible to the fascinations of animal lust are carried off by their love of "nice things." Doesn't God want us to have "nice things"? If you are concerned about "nice things" you better go to God and ask Him to toughen you up. Remember Balaam, Gehazi, Judas, Ananias and Sapphira? How many examples do you want?

The love of money is the root of all evil. There are some who say that money is not the problem but the love of money. There are others who ask, "How close can I walk to the edge of the Lake of Fire without toppling in?" Still others want to know if it is proper for a Christian to drink alcohol.

The conquerors do not go around asking what they can do and still be a Christian. Rather they continually are seeking ways of coming closer to God.

If you are asking if it is good for a Christian to make a million dollars and then retire to Florida, my advice is by all means go ahead and do this. You will be facing torment soon enough without my adding to your problems.

But back to the Christians, especially the young people.

Lust will make it impossible for you to rule with Christ. You are going to have to make your choice between your glands and the throne of glory. Which is it going to be? Are you tough enough to make it? Do you have enough iron in you?

The love of money, of things, of material pleasure and security, produces spiritual death. The deadest people on earth are those who are occupied with material things. They are absolutely dead. They will be no more dead when they are lying peacefully on their back in a polished coffin.

To be continued.