Luke 11:24-26 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he said… I. THE MISERABLE CONDITION OF AN IMPENITENT SINNER, BEFORE HE LIE AWAKENED TO A SERIOUS CONVICTION OF HIS GUILT. II. CONVICTIONS OF SIN CONSTITUTE, IN THE EYE OF GOD, AN IMPORTANT CHANGE IN THE STATE OF MAN. III. WE ARE HERE TAUGHT, THAT BEINGS ABSOLUTELY SINFUL FIND NEITHER REST NOR ENJOYMENT BUT IN DOING EVIL. Wickedness is a spirit absolutely solitary. All its social character all its sympathy, is nothing but the disposition which unites banditti in the fell purpose of plundering, pollution, and murder. With others it joins, solely because it cannot accomplish its foul ends alone. Even with these it has no union of heart, no fellow-feeling, no real sociality. It attracts nothing and nobody. Every thing it repels. Hell with all its millions is a perfect solitude to each of its inhabitants. IV. PERSONS UNDER CONVICTION ARE ALWAYS IN DANGER OF FALLING ANEW INTO HARDNESS OF HEART. V. THE SOUL, FROM WHICH CONVICTIONS OF SIN HAVE BEEN FINALLY BANISHED, IS MORE PERFECTLY PREPARED TO BECOME THE SEAT OF ABSOLUTE WICKEDNESS THAN BEFORE THESE CONVICTIONS BEGAN. VI. THE SOUL, FROM WHICH CONVICTIONS ARE FINALLY BANISHED, BECOMES FAR MORE SINFUL THAN BEFORE ITS CONVICTIONS BEGAN. Seven is here put for an indefinite number, and may be considered as standing for many. At the least, it denotes a greater number than one, and, in proportion, a greater series of temptations and dangers. These seven are also universally more wicked than the original tenant of this impure habitation, more absolutely possessed of the fiendlike character than himself. From each, his danger is of course greater; from all, how great, how dreadful! Lessons: I. The immeasurable importance of cherishing in the heart convictions of sin. II. We learn from these observations the high interest which persons in this situation have in being directed in their duty by sound wisdom. III. We also learn from this parable the miserable situation of unawakened sinners. (T. Dwight, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. |
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