The Inner Life

or Authority; that He as the Comforter, God’s Holy Spirit in them, is the Source of all they are and have; and that they have dedicated themselves wholly to Him and to God.

Such after their advancement at the Easter Ceremonies are then given definite work to do, work for which all their past lives have been a preparation, and which they now should be specially fitted to do.

But after having been given their work and having received evidence of the loving wisdom and support of the Brotherhood at their disposal, they still have to prove, with this new access of power and authority, that Satan, the prince of this world, hath nothing in them.

So they go forth into the wilderness of the world—as Jesus did with every intention of being faithful to their dedication. Sooner or later, however, in their work they are confronted by the three temptations Jesus had to meet, each one brought to them separately by Satan and in so subtle a way that often they do not recognize it for what it is until they have yielded to it—when of course it is too late. If any quality of self desiring something for self still remains in their natures, these three temptations will uncover it—it is Satan’s part to bring it to light and thereby to win disciples over to his service.

Those three temptations are of the body, the mind and the soul, and most often manifest in the appetites, desires and lusts of the flesh; in the love of money and worldly power; and in the striving for spiritual power and attainments—all inspired by the suggestions of the prince of darkness.

Many are there who have been admitted to Accepted Discipleship, have been given their work, but who have failed through inability to face and not yield to one or more of these temptations. The history of the world is replete with such failures, and even in our own times many of those who started Movements for the helping of humanity, with every evidence of good resulting and of their having great possibilities, only to find that through their love of power, or of money, or because of moral weakness, self gradually gained control and the spiritual effectiveness of the Movement was destroyed.

This was because the support of the Brotherhood was withdrawn the moment self became dominant, and as a consequence