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  A DEVIL IN AN ANGEL'S DRESS
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: True repentance requires a complete turning from every sin, not
just some sins.

Topics: "Idolatry", "True Repentance"
Scripture References: Leviticus 13:45, Isaiah 30:22, Ezekiel 18:30

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the necessity of true repentance, which
involves turning away from every sin, not just some. He illustrates that
partial repentance, like that of Herod and Judas, leads to spiritual
ruin, as even one unrepented sin can corrupt the soul. Brooks argues
that just as a leper is defined by a single spot, so too is a sinner
defined by any unconfessed sin. The penitent must actively seek to
crucify all sins and idols in their life to find true healing and
restoration. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a complete and thorough
renunciation of all that stands against God's glory.

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CONTENT
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"Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin

will not be your downfall." Ezekiel 18:30

True repentance is a turning, not from some sin--but

from every sin. Every sin strikes at the law of God, the

honor of God, the being of God, and the glory of God;

and therefore the penitent must strike at all. Every sin

fetches blood from the heart of Christ, and every sin is

a grief and vexation to the Holy Spirit--and therefore

the penitent must set upon crucifying of all.

Herod turned from many sins--but not from his Delilah,

his Herodias, which was his ruin! Judas, you know, was

a devil in an angel's dress; he seemed to be turned

from every sin--but he was a secret thief, he loved the

money bag; and that golden devil, covetousness, choked

him, and hanged him at last! Saul for a time turned from

several evils--but his sparing one, Agag, cost him his

soul and his kingdom at once!

He who had the spot of leprosy in any one part of his

body was accounted a leper, although all the rest of

his body were sound and whole, Lev. 13. Just so, he

who has but one spot, one sin which he does not

endeavor to wash out in the blood of Christ, and in

the tears of true repentance--he is a leper in the

account of God.

The true penitent is for the mortifying of every lust

which has had a hand in crucifying of his dearest Savior.

The sin-sick soul must break, not some--but all its idols

in pieces, before a cure will follow. It must deface its

golden idols, its most costly idols, its most darling idols!

The returning sinner must make headway against all his

sins, and trample upon all his lusts--or else he will die

and be undone forever!

"Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and

your images covered with gold; you will throw them

away like a menstrual cloth and say to them--Away

with you!" Isaiah 30:22

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/a-devil-in-an-angels-dress/
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