371. 1KI 8:38. SIN, THE PLAGUE OF THE SOUL

1Ki_8:38. Sin, the Plague of the Soul

"Shall know every man the plague of his own heart."’971Ki_8:38.

The love of self is deeply implanted in the human breast. We see this strikingly developed in the anxiety men display to secure health of body, and long life. You never need exhort men to be anxious about their bodily comforts and welfare. They will undertake long journeys, and expend any amount of their riches to secure bodily health and vigor. This, when not exceedingly excessive, is not wrong. God never designed that we should be reckless and indifferent, even to the blessings and enjoyments of this life. But how often is this the predominant, the ruling principle! How often does the body, and the concerns of this life, absorb the undivided attention and care of the mind. This is criminal. This is the infatuation of wickedness; unless we disbelieve in the existence of the soul, or doubt its immortality’97it is deplorable folly. Ought the spiritual undying principle within us to have no care? Is the happiness and safety of the soul of trifling importance? Assuredly not. To this the Scriptures continually direct our attention. We wish you, therefore, on this occasion, to ascertain the state of your souls. "Every man should know the plague of his own heart." Observe,

I. The Malady specified.

II. The Seat of its influence.

III. And the Knowledge we should possess.

I. The Malady specified.

It is the "Plague." The term was originally applied to the odious disease of leprosy. It has, however, been generally applied to any deadly and infectious disease. Sometimes whole provinces have been desolated by it. Most persons must have read of the dreadful effects of the plague in London. Now, sin is likened to this awful malady. It is not merely a disease, but it is the chief of diseases’97the worst and most awful of all diseases.

1. Sin, like the plague, is loathsome in its nature.

Man originally was invested with moral beauty. He reflected the image of his Creator. Now, his loveliness is withered; image of God is effaced. God, who beheld him with delight, and pronounced him very good, now beholds him loathsome and vile. His features are changed. The whole man is polluted.

2. Sin, like the plague, prostrates all the energies of the soul.

See that strong and vigorous individual, he inhales the polluted atmosphere, the head sickens; the heart faints. See his prostrated condition. So sin has robbed the soul of its spiritual energies Left man without strength.

3. Sin, lite the plague, is exceedingly infectious.

One sinner destroyeth much good. Eve caught it; and Adam was immediately tainted with it. Look at heir progeny. Their first-born becomes the murderer of his brother. See how it spread over the old world, until God took a minute survey, and pronounced that, "The wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of his thoughts was evil continually." The whole world, says an inspired writer, lieth in wickedness; whole world guilty before God; none righteous, &c. Every nation, every city, every family, every soul of man, has been infected by this spiritual disease. Every member of the body, and every faculty of the soul is afflicted by it.

4. Like the plague, sin is awfully fatal in its effects.

Its temporary effects are dreadful. It debases man; it infatuates, and produces delirium; it annihilates his peace, and fills him with internal torture and misery. But it destroys the life of man; the life of the body; and throws him into the putrefying sepulchre, &c.’97life of the soul; and finally, casts both body and soul into hell fire.

5. Like the plague, sin pollutes every thing with which it comes in contact.

The atmosphere of heaven was originally the balm of life and health. The earth’97the garden of the Lord; and all creation happy. Now, bodily maladies infect the air, the earth is cursed; and "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain," &c. God, in mercy, has sent innumerable blessings. Health, reason, food, raiment, are all perverted and prostituted to purposes of depravity through sin.

6. Like the plague, sin is incurable by mere human agency.

No man can cure himself, or deliver his brother from this fatal malady. Human reason has tried; human learning has tried; human legislation has tried; human systems of religion have tried; but never did any, or all of them, restore one plague-stricken soul. Each and all have failed, It baffles all human skill; it has defied all human remedies. God alone can save and deliver the soul from sins. But, observe,

II. The Seat of its Influence.

Now, that is the "heart." By the heart, we understand here, the soul’97the whole mind of man. And be it observed, that the entire heart of man is depraved’97that there is no soundness in it.

1. The understanding is darkened.

"Gross darkness hath covered the hearts of the people." "Man’s foolish heart is darkened," Rom_1:21. "Having their understanding darkened," Eph_4:18.

2. The will is perverse.

It doth not choose good, but evil. It delights in rebellion. "The carnal mind," &c.

3. The affections are earthly and corrupt.

These go after the creature, and not after God. Are fixed on earth, and not raised to heaven. Are engrossed with the things of time, and not of eternity.

4. The conscience also is defiled. Tit_1:15. Observe, then,

III. How important it is that we should possess a Knowledge of the Plague of our own Hearts. Notice,

1. How this knowledge may be obtained. We may know the plague of our hearts.

(1) By a reference to the statements of Scripture, "The heart of man," &c. Christ says, "From within," &c., Mar_7:21. The apostle says, "The works of the flesh are these," &c. Gal_4:19.

(2) By a solemn examination of our state before God. Converse with yourselves. Interrogate, &c. Examine; prove yourselves. You cannot do this faithfully without knowing the plague, &c.

2. Wherefore should we be anxious to know the plague, &c.

(1) Because ignorance of your condition adds to its misery and peril.

(2) Because without this you will never repent of sin.

(3) Without this you will never seek salvation.

Application

1. Let the Christian look back, remember his original state, and bless God for spiritual healing.

2. Right knowledge of the plague of our hearts must be personal. "His own," not the hearts of others.

3. A true knowledge of the plague of our hearts will have produced humiliation, contrition, prayer, and faith in Jesus Christ.

4. A knowledge of the plague of our own hearts will only avail us here. In eternity there is no remedy, &c.

5. You who feel your sinfulness, now hasten to Jesus for spiritual healing.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS