Sweet Poisons!
The world presents itself in a beautiful and alluring way, but this beauty is a snare that leads to destruction, and the only way to overcome our love for the world is to know a greater glory, heaven.
Thomas Brooks warns against the seductive nature of the world, which he describes as 'sweet poisons' that can ensnare the soul and lead to spiritual destruction. He emphasizes that while the world may appear beautiful and enticing, it ultimately betrays and harms those who pursue it, often leading them to forsake their relationship with God. Brooks illustrates how many souls are lost not just by the world's challenges but by its allure, urging believers to seek a greater glory in heaven rather than being captivated by earthly treasures. He encourages a perspective shift, suggesting that a deeper understanding of heavenly promises can help believers disdain worldly pursuits. The sermon calls for a focus on eternal values over temporal gains.
Text
"I will give You all these things--if You will fall down and
worship me." Matthew 4:9
Satan presents the world in such a dress, and in such a garb,
as to ensnare the soul, and to win the affection of the soul.
He represents the world to them in its beauty and finery, which
proves a bewitching sight to carnal men. Satan can no sooner
cast out his golden bait--but we are ready to play with it,
and to nibble at it! He can no sooner throw out his golden
ball--but men are apt to run after it--though they lose God
and their souls in the pursuit!
Ah! the time, the thoughts, the hearts, the souls--which the
inordinate love of this wicked world eats up and destroys!
Where one thousand are destroyed by the world's frowns
--ten thousand are destroyed by the world's smiles!
The world, siren-like, sings to us--then sinks us!
It kisses us--then betrays us, like Judas!
It kisses us--then stabs us under the rib, like Joab.
The honors, splendor, and all the glory of this world, are but
sweet poisons, which will much endanger us, if they do not
eternally destroy us. Ah! the multitude of souls that have
glutted on these sweet baits, and died forever! Such men
will sell Christ, heaven, and their souls for a trifle! "How long
will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie?" Psalm 4:2
Ah, how many thousands are there now on earth, who have
found this true by experience; who have spun a lovely rope
to strangle themselves, both temporally and eternally, by
being bewitched by the beauty and finery of this world!
The main reason why men dote upon the world, and damn
their souls to get the world, is, because they are not acquainted
with a greater glory! Men ate acorns, until they were acquainted
with the use of wheat. Ah, did men but taste more of heaven,
and live more in heaven, and had more glorious hopes of going
to heaven, ah, how easily would they trample the world under
their feet!
"You joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because
you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions."
Hebrews 10:34
Let heaven be a man's object, and earth will soon be his abject.
Assurance of more great and glorious things, breed in the soul a
holy scorn and contempt of all these poor, base worldly things
--which the soul before valued above God, Christ and heaven.
Sermon Outline
- The Deception of the World
- The Consequences of Loving the World
- The Solution to Loving the World
- Knowing a greater glory, heaven, can lead us to despise the world
- Assurance of eternal things can breed contempt for worldly things
Key Quotes
“The world, siren-like, sings to us--then sinks us!” — Thomas Brooks
“It kisses us--then betrays us, like Judas!” — Thomas Brooks
“Let heaven be a man's object, and earth will soon be his abject.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We must prioritize knowing a greater glory, heaven, in order to despise the world.
- Assurance of eternal things can breed contempt for worldly things.
- Loving the world leads to eternal destruction and damnation, and we must be aware of this danger.