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Many are the nets that are spread for the souls of men, especially of young men. By means of evil associations and unsound or unscriptural principles. Of these latter we will speak now. They may be classified under three heads.

I. THE PRINCIPLE OF EXPEDIENCY OR COMPROMISE. Things are done to serve a present purpose without regard to their being right or wrong, or whether Christian rectitude approve or condemn.

II. SELF-INDULGENCE, OR ANIMAL GRATIFICATION. Here he is in danger of being misled both by his equals and by himself. It is said that appetites were given, not to be crushed but gratified; that religious requirements and natural tendencies, emanating both from God, can never be incompatible with each other, and that asceticism and austerity are signs, not of a true but of a false religion. But in this case, as in every other, be who proves too much proves nothing. The natural appetites were designed not merely for gratification, but for moral discipline. They are not to be gratified alone, but subordinated, and due subordination is not asceticism, nor proper control of the affections, austerity. Religious requirements harmonise with natural tendencies, in that they impose a restriction at the very point where satisfaction terminates and excess begins: they apply reasonable and salutary restraints. Regard first the culture of the soul and you will never compromise the welfare of the body; preserve only what is due to God and you will be in little danger of withholding what is due to man.

III. THE PRINCIPLE OF FALSE APPEARANCES OR FALSE ASSUMPTIONS. For it adopts a fallacious standard, superseding God's Word by popular opinion. It is peculiarly necessary to guard against this in an age where names, self-assumed, are a prolific source of deception, and evil often puts on and parades the semblance of good. It is the way of the world, that lives without and forgets Him. It is the way of those who are often men of high honour, but of low principle; of strict uprightness, but of lax morality; men of reputable conduct, but of no religion. And especially avoid that "path of the destroyer" amidst the works of men, and of which Solomon says, "Let not thine heart decline to her ways." The number and effrontery of those who yield to this temptation make it peculiarly subtle and fatal. The young man, new to the world, sees what others do, and that they are not the worse thought of for it, nor think at all worse of themselves; he hears some avowing it and others vindicating it — how shall he escape? Only "by the word of Thy lips": that word "hid in the heart," and its principles known and embraced. So shall you be enabled to stand in the evil day.

(Thomas Dale, M. A.)

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KJV: Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

WEB: As for the works of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.