Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. I. THE SOURCE OF GREAT AND ALARMING DANGER. 1. Sin is deceitful. (1) In its appearances. (2) In its promises. (3) In its influences. 2. Sin prevails through its deceitfulness. In the time of temptation its deformity is hid; its real character is veiled. Many a man on a dying bed has been compelled to feel the difference of the views he has entertained in health and in a state of sickness. But when sin presents itself to the objects of its temptation, it suggests itself as easy to be avoided: "Oh, you are not the slaves of sin; you may avoid it, or you may limit your progress in it; yield to the temptation, and stop when you please." So the devil deceives the human mind. It often changes its tone, and it is equally deceitful in both cases. It is sometimes represented as irresistible; the man says, "I have no power to resist it." This is the way the mind is operated upon by the tempter. Oh, how great is the deceitfulness of sin 1 3. Sin hardens through its deceitfulness. (1) Hardness of heart implies a state of moral insensibility, the moral susceptibility of the heart being removed, the soul becoming callous, so that spiritual things do not impress. (2) In hardness of heart there is a principle of inflexibility and rebellion in the heart. It is not merely hard like stone; there is something like a reaction: the hardness is manifested in its resistance to the claims of truth — an inward principle of rebellion against God. (3) Sin hardens the heart by strengthening the principles and habits of iniquity in us. The restraints of conscience in this way are overcome. II. THE CONDUCT THAT IS TO BE PURSUED UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, We must "exhort one another." 1. Now exhortation implies instruction. We are to endeavour to diffuse "the savour of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord." 2. This exhortation implies warning and reproof; where it is necessary to warn our fellow-creatures that are in danger of "being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin"; to set the danger before them, and affectionately to point out to them the dreadful consequences which must ensue. 3. But this implies also encouragement. We ought to encourage one another to look to God, to seek much grace to enable us to counteract the influence of sin. 4. But this exhortation to which we are admonished is private exhortation. Now let me remind you that the discharge of this duty does necessarily imply a disposition to receive exhortation as well as to give it. 5. But this is a serious and a very difficult duty to discharge successfully. (1) If you exhort one another let it be seriously, then; do not affect to give religious instruction in a spirit of levity. Let us remember that the soul is the object concerned. (2) And let it be with a right spirit; do not assume superiority; do not pretend to dictate like masters. (3) In love. (4) Seasonably. Watch for opportunities. (5) Prayerfully. All our effort will be unavailing without God's blessing. (6) Frequently. "Daily," i.e, as often as you can seasonably.. (7) Urgently. Whatever we do we must do now, or perhaps we shall not do it at all: we know not what another hour may bring forth. (Josiah Hill.) Parallel Verses KJV: But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. |
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