I Will Take Heed to My Ways
To avoid sinning and please the Lord, we must be constantly watchful and vigilant, seeking God's guidance and protection in prayer.
The preacher delves into the concept of hypocrisy, which originated from Greek theater as the act of putting on a mask and playing a part on stage. In the New Testament, hypocrisy is portrayed negatively as deceit, insincerity, and pretense, where one's outward appearance contradicts their true intentions. Hypocrisy involves pretending to possess virtues or beliefs that one does not truly hold, leading to a false impression of one's motives. The sermon emphasizes the dangers of hypocrisy, warning that hypocrites will face severe consequences and that God detests this sin above all others.
Text
Fellow-pilgrim, say not in your heart, "I will go hither and thither, and I shall not sin;" for you are never so out of danger of sinning as to boast of security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will need to watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels; there is a temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy; and if you ever reach heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your Father's power.
Be on your guard. When a man carries a bomb-shell in his hand, he should mind that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are edged tools; you must mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian's piety, but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to look up to God, that He may keep you! Your prayer should be, "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe." Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding every thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy.
Do not expose yourselves unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the devil finds you without your buckler, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows. Though slain you cannot be; wounded you may be. "Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an hour when all seemeth securest to thee." Therefore, take heed to thy ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into error through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways, so shall they always please the Lord.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Dangers of Sinning
- A. The miry road of life
- B. The temptation in every mercy
- C. The snare in every joy
- II. The Need for Vigilance
- A. Watchfulness in prayer
- B. Guarding every thought, word, and action
- III. The Importance of Prayer
- A. Seeking God's protection
- B. Asking for strength and guidance
- IV. The Consequences of Neglect
- A. Exposure to the devil's attacks
- B. The risk of falling into error
Key Quotes
“Say not in your heart, 'I will go hither and thither, and I shall not sin;' for you are never so out of danger of sinning as to boast of security.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian's piety, but everything to destroy it.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an hour when all seemeth securest to thee.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must be constantly watchful and vigilant in our daily lives, seeking God's guidance and protection in prayer.
- Prayer is essential in seeking God's protection and guidance, but it must be accompanied by watchfulness and a holy jealousy over our thoughts, words, and actions.
- We must always carry our shield of faith with us, and never venture forth without it, especially in times of exposure or danger.