In today’s message, Ryle reminds us that it’s not enough to just say we’re going to stop doing this or that. No, we are human, we have this terrible thing called the flesh, and if we’re not careful – we’ll soon find ourselves right back in the middle of those little sins. Please carefully read and consider what God would have you learn and apply to your life.
J. C. RYLE – PART TWO:
…………… QUOTED FROM RYLE ……………
Resolve, by God’s help, to shun everything which may prove an occasion of sin. It is an excellent saying of good Bishop Hall, ” He that would be safe from the acts of evil, must widely avoid the occasions.” It is not enough that we determine to commit no sin, we must carefully keep at a distance from all approaches to it. By this test we ought to try our ways of spending our time,the books that we read, the families that we visit, the society into which we go. We must not content ourselves with saying, “There is nothing positively wrong here;” we must go further, and say, “Is there anything here which may prove to me the occasion of sin?”
This, be it remembered, is one great reason why idleness is so much to be avoided. It is not that doing nothing is of itself so positively wicked; it is the opportunity it affords to evil thoughts, and vain imaginations; it is the wide door it opens for Satan to throw in the seeds of bad things; it is this which is mainly to be feared. If David had not given occasion to the devil, by idling on his house-top at Jerusalem, he would probably never have seen Bathsheba, nor murdered Uriah.
This, too, is one great reason why worldly amusements are so objectionable. It may be difficult, in some instances, to show that they are, in themselves, positively unscriptural and wrong. But there is little difficulty in showing that the tendency of almost all of them is most injurious to the soul. They sow the seeds of an earthly and sensual frame of mind. They war against the life of faith. They promote an unhealthy and unnatural craving after excitement. They minister to the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. They dim the view of heaven and eternity, and give a false color to the things of time. They indispose the heart for private prayer, and Scripture-reading, and calm communion with God. The man who mingles in them is like one who gives Satan vantage-ground. He has a battle to fight, and he gives his enemy the help of sun, and wind, and hill. It would be strange indeed if he did not find himself continually overcome.
Endeavor, as much as in you lies, to keep clear of everything which may prove injurious to your soul. Never hold a candle to the devil. People may say you are over scrupulous, too particular, where is the mighty harm of such and such things? But heed them not. It is dangerous to play tricks with sharp knives: it is far more dangerous to take liberties with your immortal soul. He that would be safe must not come near the brink of danger. He must look on his heart as a magazine of gunpowder, and be cautious not to handle one spark of temptation more than he can help.
Where is the use of your praying, “Lead us not into temptation,” unless you are yourselves careful not to run into it; and “deliver us from evil,” unless you show a desire to keep out of its way? Take example from Joseph, Not merely did he refuse his master’s wife’s solicitation to sin, but he showed his prudence in refusing to be “with her” at all (Gen. 39:10). Lay to heart the advice of Solomon, not merely to “go not in the path of wickedness,” but to “avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Prov. 4:15); not merely not to be drunken, but not even to look upon the wine when it is red (Prov. 23:31). The man who took the vow of a Nazarite in Israel, not only took no wine, but he even abstained from grapes in any shape whatever.
“Abhor that which is evil,” says Paul to the Romans (Rom. 12:9); not merely do not do it—”Flee also youthful lusts,” he writes to Timothy; get away from them as far as possible (2 Tim. 2:22). Alas, how needful are such cautions! Lot must needs pitch his tent near sinful Sodom, and he lost everything but his life. Be wise in time. Do not be always trying how near you can allow the enemy of souls to come, and yet escape him. Hold him at arm’s length. Try to keep clear of temptation as far as possible, and this will be one great help to keep clear of sin.
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Romans 13:14 tells us, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” We too often think, “Oh, I can keep doing this, or I can do that – I’ll be fine!” But, in reality, sin is FAR more destructive and dangerous that we realize, and we should stay as FAR AWAY from it as possible. Sure, our friends, family, and others will not understand why we “run in the other direction” from some things, but it’s FAR more important to keep our hearts right with God than it is to please our fellow man.