The Christian life is a warfare, and there are several common mistakes made thereupon. For example--
I. When it is supposed that the enemies to be fought against are all external foes. This is a very prevalent error. Where conversion is believed to be always a sudden change, and not a matter of growth, there converts are cautioned against dangers that lie without, while left in ignorance of the greater dangers that are still within. There are external foes, but these are not all. There are inward foes, such as--
(1) Evil tempers;
(2) passionate and ungovernable wills;
(3) covetousness;
(4) selfishness;
(5)pride;
(6) anger, &c.
II. It is also a mistake to suppose that the enemies to be fought against are chiefly external ones. With all his warnings against surrounding foes, Joshua was most emphatic in his exhortation to watchfulness over one’s own heart, “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves.” In this sense a man’s enemies are they of his own house. The greatest temptations arise from that inner tendency to corruption, but for which the outward influences would be well-nigh powerless. Many a man has been his own tempter (Jam_1:14).
III. It is a great christian duty, therefore, for every man to bring his own heart into subjection.
1. This cannot be done except by the exercise of constant watchfulness.
2. Self-cultivation also is necessary. When will men learn that religion is no dreamy sentimentalism, but a stern and living reality? “The grace of God in the heart of man is a tender plant in a strange, unkindly soil, and, therefore, cannot well prosper and grow without much care and pains, and that of a skilful hand.” Let us, then, “take heed to ourselves.” Let us keep the fortress of our own heart. Let us do battle with the foes of our own household. Thus shall we be “more than conquerors”; for “he that ruleth his own spirit is better than he that taketh a city.” (Frederic Wagstaff.)
Self-consideration
Wecan have no aspirations unless we know what we lack, and we cannot properly cultivate our spiritual life unless we recognise the symptoms of its vitality or decay. A gardener would be failing in his duty if he did not notice the withering of a flower, which was only wanting more room in which to spread its roots. A mother would be justly blamed if she was too absorbed in making her child’s dress for a coming party to notice the pale face and heavy eyes which fore told an illness demanding instant attention. Far heavier is the responsibility resting on us to consider our own condition. (A. Rowland, B. A.)
Self-judgment
Nosane man fails to form some opinion of himself. We cannot help knowing, for example, whether our temper is quick or dull, whether our imagination is vivid or torpid, any more than we can be ignorant of the fact that we are tall or short. But we ought not to leave this self-judgment to transient feelings, or to spasmodic revelations--but should try to shape it by sober thought. Some people tell us that it is best not to think of ourselves at all, but to absorb ourselves in daily duty, leaving ourselves simply in God’s hands, so far as religious life is concerned. No doubt this is partly true: and we must not forget that self-introspection has its dangers as well as its uses. It would, for example, be quite possible to subject our motives to such close and constant scrutiny as to take away all momentum from life: but no sensible man would be so particular about dust on the engine, as to neglect keeping up steam. (A. Rowland, B. A.)
That ye love the Lord.--
Take heed to love God
1. Because if you do not love God, your obedience will be worthless.
2. Because if you do love Him, obedience will be easy.
3. Because there are so many things that compete for your love.
4. Because if you love God, you will love only good things, and those in a proper measure.
5. Because if you love God, you will love what God loves, and especially His Son Jesus Christ. (The Hive.)
God demands our love
I. It is for this very end that national mercies are bestowed.
II. We are in danger of perverting his goodness to a very different purpose. The caution given in the text plainly implies this, and the subsequent history of the Jewish nation as plainly proves that the caution was necessary.
III. To love the Lord our God is not only the return He expects for His benefits, but the return he demands. It is not only just and reasonable in its own nature, but it is likewise absolutely necessary on our part--nay, it is the one thing needful, the withholding of which shall unavoidably be attended with the most fatal consequences. (R. Walker.)
