Genesis 3:13-21 And the LORD God said to the woman, What is this that you have done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.… I. NO ACTOR IN ANY SIN CAN ESCAPE GOD'S DISCOVERY. 1. He is able to search into the deepest secrets, seeing all things are naked in His sight (Hebrews 4:13). 2. It concerns Him to do it, that the Judge of all the world may appear and be known to do right, to which purpose He must necessarily have a distinct knowledge, both of the offenders and of the quality and measure of their offences, that everyone's judgment may be proportioned in number, weight, and measure, according to their deeds. II. MEN'S SINS MUST AND SHALL BE SO FAR MANIFESTED AS MAY CONDUCE TO THE ADVANCING OF GOD'S GLORY. Let it be our care — 1. To take heed of dishonouring God by committing of any sin. 2. If by human infirmity we fall into any sin by which the name of God may be blasphemed or the honour of it impaired, let us endeavour to take off the dishonour done to Him by laying all the shame upon ourselves. III. A GOOD MAN'S HEART OUGHT TO BE DEEPLY AND TENDERLY AFFECTED WITH THE SENSE OF HIS OWN SIN. Such a manner of the affecting of the heart by the sense of sin — 1. Brings much honour to God. 2. Proclaims our own innocence (2 Corinthians 7:11). 3. Moves God to compassion towards us (Joel 2:17). 4. Furthers our reformation. 5. Makes us more watchful over our ways for time to come. IV. THE SEDUCING, ESPECIALLY OF ONE'S NEAREST FRIENDS, IS A FOUL, AND SHOULD BE AN HEART-BREAKING SIN. V. SIN AND THE ENTICEMENTS THEREUNTO ARE DANGEROUS DECEITS AND SO WILL PROVE TO BE AT THE LAST. Now this deceit of sin is two fold. First, in proposing evil under the name of good, calling light darkness and darkness light (Isaiah 5:20), or at least the shadows of good, instead of that which is really and truly good, like the passing of gilded brass for perfect gold. Secondly, in proposing unto us a reward in an evil way, which we shall never find (see Proverbs 1:13, 18), as they are justly accounted deceivers who promise men largely that which they never make good in performance. (J. White, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. |
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