James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man:… Nothing here reaches maturity in a moment. Things begin to be, they grow, they ripen. It is so in nature, in character, and in the moral world. Sin is a growth; it matures, and then its fruit is death. The growth of sin may be slow at first, but it ripens fast as the time of harvest draws nigh. I. The game of chance finds its maturity in the abandoned gambler. II. Indulgence in the cup is matured in the sot. III. Covetousness finds its maturity in the swindler, the thief, the robber. IV. Lasciviousness has its maturity in the pollutions and obscenities of the brother. V. Profanity has its maturity in those unrestrained blasphemies which have sometimes been uttered at the very juncture when life was going out. VI. The growth of infidelity may be traced from its low beginnings to the same destructive maturity. VII. So we may trace the sin of lying, from the first instance of prevarication on to the fixed habit of dauntless and deliberate perjury. Conclusion: 1. How may we know when sin has approached nigh to maturity? (1) Maturity in sin stuns the sensibility of conscience. (2) Maturity in sin progressively excludes shame. 2. The subject addresses itself to parents. (1) We should be careful not to corrupt our children by example or precept. (2) If we love our children, we shall be careful and watchful that others do not corrupt or lead them astray. (3) In view of this subject, be warned not to let any sin ripen in your heart. (Daniel A. Clark.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: |
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