I believe in God. I also believe God. “Discernment is not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right and wrong; rather it is the difference between right and almost right.” -Charles Spurgeon. Scripture is my authority for all things regarding to life and godliness. 2 Cor.10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Sin Is Not Always Ugly And Is Often Mesmerizing and Seductive: I am called to hate it down to every last part of it
(Photo: hemlock. Photo source)
"But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate!" Revelation 2:6
So I must live, with equal aloofness from every wicked and dubious way--with equal abhorrence of all which my divinely enlightened conscience may not approve. Christ expects me to hate the works of the Nicolaitans!
If I am to escape the seductions of sin--I require such intolerance and hatred.
There is great enticement in sin's gaieties, fascinations, and charms!
It beguiles!
It entraps!
It enthralls!
It is not always ugly--often it has a mesmerizing enchantment. My one safety is have an unflinching opposition to that which is both so fair and so foul at the same time. If I dull the keen edge of my hostility to sin--the plausible and insinuating foe will quickly have me at his mercy!
There is a type of weakness which is all for concession and clemency in the presence of evil. It parleys with sin, and it dallies in its society. It can say a great deal in sin's defense--perhaps it discerns admirable qualities in it.
But the holiness to which I am called, is more manly and soldierly. It will have no friendship with the foul adversary!
If I am to imitate Christ--I require such severities and aversions to sin. He also hates the works of the Nicolaitans. I misread Him if I think of Him as altogether meek and gentle. He sends a sword, He kindles a fire, upon the earth. Before His pure gaze, sin blushes, and droops its proud head, and withers away! He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and He will not rest until He has trodden every iniquity under His feet!
"I hate every false way!" Psalm 119:128
(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)
Labels:
Discernment,
Evil,
Hatred,
Sin,
Smellie
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment