--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I find it most true that the greatest…" description: "\"I find it most true that the greatest temptation outside of hell is to live without temptations; if water stands, it rots; faith is the better for the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdf/samuel-rutherford-3289_adversity_i-find-it-most-true-that-the-greatest-te_1143455.png" --- # I find it most true that the greatest temptation outside… ![“I find it most true that the greatest temptation outside of hell is to live without temptations; if water stands, it rots; faith is the better for the sharp winter storm in its face and grace withers without adversity. The devil is but God's master fencer to teach us to handle our weapons.” quote by Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdf/samuel-rutherford-3289_adversity_i-find-it-most-true-that-the-greatest-te_1143455.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdf/samuel-rutherford-3289_adversity_i-find-it-most-true-that-the-greatest-te_1143455.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdf/samuel-rutherford-3289_adversity_i-find-it-most-true-that-the-greatest-te_1143455.png) > “I find it most true that the greatest temptation outside of hell is to live without temptations; if water stands, it rots; faith is the better for the sharp winter storm in its face and grace withers without adversity. The devil is but God's master fencer to teach us to handle our weapons.” [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Temptation is strongest when we avoid challenges; hardship sharpens faith and grace, while a devil acts as a divine trainer to wield our inner strengths. **In simple terms:** Hardship strengthens faith; avoiding challenges weakens us. Key Takeaway Embrace challenges to grow spiritually. Themes faith temptation spiritual growth Mood reflective serious Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - personal crises - spiritual practice - ethical decision making - overcoming complacency Key Concepts divine testing resilience inner strength Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when faced with unnecessary ease? - What role does struggle play in your spiritual development? A Different Perspective Without adversity, growth stalls and grace may wither. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Affliction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affliction/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) [Winter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winter/) [Winter Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winter-storm/) ## Related quotes > [The greatest temptation for the like of us is: to renounce violence, to repent, to make peace with oneself. Most revolutionaries fell before this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-greatest-temptation-for-the-like-of-us-is-to-renounce-violence-to/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [“Hey, not while I'm at my devotions, no so fast, the fat man said, inside the shithouse you're communing with God, and outside you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herta-m-ller/hey-not-while-i-m-at-my-devotions-no-so-fast-the-fat-man-said-inside/) [Herta Müller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herta-m-ller/) > [“They would never know how lucky they had been. For a lifetime, mankind had achieved as much happiness as any race can ever know.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/they-would-never-know-how-lucky-they-had-been-for-a-lifetime-mankind/) [Arthur C. 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How cruel to have this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-verghese/how-cruel-it-is-that-this-memory-should-surface-in-a-winter-storm-so/) [Abraham Verghese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-verghese/) > [I think it was lucky that during most of the work on the Odyssey I lived on Homer's sea in houses that were, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fitzgerald/i-think-it-was-lucky-that-during-most-of-the-work-on-the-odyssey-i/) [Robert Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fitzgerald/) > [“There was an extravagant winter storm outside. The tinfoil sky flashed beyond the window, rattling in the frame, and once or twice a white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-sudjic/there-was-an-extravagant-winter-storm-outside-the-tinfoil-sky-flashed/) [Olivia Sudjic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-sudjic/) > [If peace be in your heart.. the wildest winter storm is full of solemn beauty; the midnight flash that shows your path of duty.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-francis-richardson/if-peace-be-in-your-heart-the-wildest-winter-storm-is-full-of-solemn/) Charles Francis Richardson > [“It was a summer shower but didn’t appear to know it, and it was pouring rain as fast as a winter storm. Miss Perspicacia…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/it-was-a-summer-shower-but-didn-t-appear-to-know-it-and-it-was/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Winter storms are worse, but autumn's are more frequent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/winter-storms-are-worse-but-autumn-s-are-more-frequent/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [My fans have been the power behind me and beside me, they have been holding me awake, and so they are my winter storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarja-turunen/my-fans-have-been-the-power-behind-me-and-beside-me-they-have-been/) [Tarja Turunen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarja-turunen/) > [... the world can give you these glimpses as well as fairy tales can--the smell of rain, the dazzle of sun on white clapboard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/the-world-can-give-you-these-glimpses-as-well-as-fairy-tales-can-the/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) ## More by Samuel Rutherford > [The cross of Christ is the sweetest burden that I ever bore; it is such a burden as wings are to a bird, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/the-cross-of-christ-is-the-sweetest-burden-that-i-ever-bore-it-is/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [Well's them who are under crosses, and Christ says to them, "Half Mine."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/well-s-them-who-are-under-crosses-and-christ-says-to-them-half-mine/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [O, what I owe to the file, the hammer, and the furnace of the Lord Jesus! I know that he is no idle husbandman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/o-what-i-owe-to-the-file-the-hammer-and-the-furnace-of-the-lord-jesus/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [If so be that freewill were our tutor, and we had our heaven in our own keeping, then we would lose all. But because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/if-so-be-that-freewill-were-our-tutor-and-we-had-our-heaven-in-our/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [“...whether God come to his children with a rod or a crown, if he come himself with it, it is well. Welcome, welcome Jesus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/whether-god-come-to-his-children-with-a-rod-or-a-crown-if-he-come/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [Faint not; the miles to heaven are but few and short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/faint-not-the-miles-to-heaven-are-but-few-and-short/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [I perceive we postpone all our joys of Christ, till He and we be in our own house above, thinking that there is nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/i-perceive-we-postpone-all-our-joys-of-christ-till-he-and-we-be-in/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [The night will close the door & fasten my anchor within the veil and I shall go away to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/the-night-will-close-the-door-fasten-my-anchor-within-the-veil-and-i/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [There is nothing left to us but to see how we may be approved of Him, and how we may roll the weight of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/there-is-nothing-left-to-us-but-to-see-how-we-may-be-approved-of-him/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [I wonder many times that ever a child of God should have a sad heart, considering what their Lord is preparing for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/i-wonder-many-times-that-ever-a-child-of-god-should-have-a-sad-heart/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [The hope of heaven under troubles is like wind and sails to the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/the-hope-of-heaven-under-troubles-is-like-wind-and-sails-to-the-soul/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [My desire is that my Lord would give me broader and deeper thoughts, to feed myself with wondering at His love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/my-desire-is-that-my-lord-would-give-me-broader-and-deeper-thoughts/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord's choicest wines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/when-i-am-in-the-cellar-of-affliction-i-look-for-the-lord-s-choicest/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [Our little time of suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/our-little-time-of-suffering-is-not-worthy-of-our-first-night-s/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [The devil is but a whetstone to sharpen the faith and patience of the saints.-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/the-devil-is-but-a-whetstone-to-sharpen-the-faith-and-patience-of-the/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) [Explore all 134 Samuel Rutherford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) ## More Adversity quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [When we have public success we also have private struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/when-we-have-public-success-we-also-have-private-struggles/) [Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/) > [“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-threats-that-resurfaced-in-the-past-10-years-were-not-an/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [“Every adversity is just another opportunity to excel a little more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-templet/every-adversity-is-just-another-opportunity-to-excel-a-little-more/) [Michel Templet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-templet/) > [“Just because she doesn't talk about it, doesn't mean she isn't feeling it. She hurts, but she won't wear it on her sleeve. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfa-h/just-because-she-doesn-t-talk-about-it-doesn-t-mean-she-isn-t-feeling/) [Alfa H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfa-h/) > [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/) James Buckham Kennedy > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“Struggles are not associated to a particular people or creed, everyone struggles, not for the same reasons, but each has a personal struggle at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/struggles-are-not-associated-to-a-particular-people-or-creed-everyone/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“Life is not about less mistakes but about more trials”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-sever/life-is-not-about-less-mistakes-but-about-more-trials/) S.E. 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