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AGAINST SELF-CONFIDENCE
THE things which are recorded in the Holy Scriptures are written, not for the entertainment, but for the real improvement, of our minds. Doubtless, as gratifying our curiosity, there is no book under heaven so interesting as the Bible: but as exhibiting what must be realized in our own experience, as shewing us our duties and our difficulties, our helps and our remedies, our punishments and our rewards, it claims, infinitely beyond all other books, our unremitting attention. In this view the Apostle, having mentioned the misconduct of the Israelites in the wilderness, and the destruction which they brought upon themselves by means of it, founds upon their history this solemn admonition; “therefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.”
From these words we may learn,
I. That all, even the most eminent, are liable to fall—
[The most distinguished characters of antiquity have fallen [Note: Noah, Gen_6:9. with 9:21. Lot, 2Pe_2:7-8. with Gen_19:33-36. David, Act_13:22, with 2Sa_11:4-5; 2Sa_11:15. Solomon (who was called Jedediah, the beloved of the Lord, 2Sa_12:24-25.) 1Ki_11:1-9.] — — — They have betrayed their weakness in those very points, wherein their eminence chiefly consisted [Note: Abraham, Rom_4:20. with Gen_12:12-13; Gen_20:2; Gen_20:11. Job, Jam_5:11. with Job_3:3. Moses, Num_12:3. with 20:10, 11. Jeremiah, Jer_9:1. with 20:8, 9. Paul Act_20:24. with 18:9, 10. when he seems to have been struck with a panic.] — — — Who then amongst us will presume to say, “I am in no danger of falling [Note: Joh_4:14 and 1Pe_1:23. shew the proper qualities and tendency of grace; but do not at all affect what the Scriptures elsewhere affirm to be the tendency of our inherent corruption.]?” — — —]
II. That the more self-confident we are, the more likely we are to fall—
[Self-confidence naturally emboldens us to rush into temptation — — — And necessarily provokes God to leave us to ourselves — — — By means of the former, our occasions of falling are greatly multiplied: by means of the latter, our ability to stand is utterly withdrawn [Note: We have a striking example of this in Peter, who to gratify his curiosity went into the midst of his enemies, and was then left to experience his own weakness. Mat_26:58; Mat_26:74.] — — — God, for his own honour’s sake, is concerned to let us fall, in order that we may know and confess, that our sufficiency for any good thing is derived from him alone [Note: Thus he acted towards the Israelites, Deu_1:42-44.] — — —]
III. That, if we would be kept from falling, we must look well to our steps—
[As in a slippery path peculiar caution is required, and an inattention to our steps will probably issue in some painful accident, so more especially is it necessary to use circumspection in the path of duty. Who can tell the snares and temptations that beset us? Who can tell what may be the consequences of any step we take? Who can reflect on all the circumstances that arose from one single glance of David’s eye, and not feel himself exposed to continual danger? The most important events of our lives may be traced to some trivial cause, some matter of pure indifference: and events, equally or more important, perhaps no less than the everlasting salvation of our souls, may depend on the very next step we take. Surely then we should in “all things be circumspect [Note: Exo_23:13.]:” we should “take heed to our ways;” we should walk in an humble dependence on God for direction and support; we should cry to him continually, “Hold thou up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not [Note: Psa_17:5.].”]
We shall conclude this subject with a few words of advice:
1. To those who are offended at the falls of others—
[Many, when they see a professor of religion act amiss, are ready to impute his misconduct to the Gospel itself, as though Christianity were only a cloak for hypocrites. But, considering the temptations that surround us, and the corruptions that are within us, it is rather a wonder that any stand, than that some should fall. We mean not to justify, or to extenuate, the sins of any: but we desire that religion should not be represented as promoting that, which it utterly condemns. Let the blame fall on those who merit it, and not be cast indiscriminately on all who profess godliness. Let Judas be branded as a traitor; but let not the odium of his offence attach to all the other Apostles, and to their Divine Master.]
2. To those who are endeavouring to walk uprightly before God—
[It is of considerable use to persons when walking on slippery ground, to have hold of each other, that if one slip, the other may afford him immediate assistance. Many falls and bruises have been escaped by these means. Thus it is of great importance to Christians to walk together in love, each helping to support his neighbour, and receiving help from others in the time of need [Note: Ecc_4:9-10.]. Let all then watch over one another with a godly jealousy. If one fall, let others endeavour instantly, in meekness, to raise him up [Note: Gal_6:1.]. Above all, let every one know in whom his strength is; and pray continually, “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe [Note: Psa_119:117.].”
“Now to him who is able to keep us from falling, &c. be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen [Note: Jude, ver. 24, 25.].”]