Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. I. THE DEFILEMENT OF SIN. 1. Its inherence. (1) This should humble and abase us in consideration of our vileness; not lead us to excuse our sins. (2) We see here what cause we have to desire that God would change our nature, and bestow a new nature on us. 2. Its monstrousness. (1) It alters a man's country; turns an Israelite into an Ethiopian, and thus causes a degeneration there. (2) It also alters a man's nature; gives him the quality and disposition even of the beasts, makes him a leopard, and thus makes a degeneration there. 3. Its multiplication. A beast of divers colours, marks, and spots (Galatians 5:19). 4. Its universality. A deformity in all parts and members (Isaiah 1:5; Genesis 6:5). II. THE ENTANGLEMENTS OF SIN. 1. The qualification or condition of the persons accustomed to do evil. More correctly, "taught to do evil." Taught — (1) By doctrine and instruction. There is a great deal of such teaching in the world (Matthew 5:19; Titus 1:11; Mark 7:7; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4). (2) By pattern and example. That which men see to be practised they soon and easily fall into. (3) By practice and use "accustomed to do evil." Use makes perfect. 2. The invincible necessity which follows upon custom in sin: they "cannot do good."(1) An impotency to good (Galatians 5:17). (2) A precipitancy unto evil (Ecclesiastes 8:11).Conclusion — 1. Take heed of having anything to do with sin at first. 2. If any should fall into sin, do not stay in it, but hasten out of it with speed (Romans 6:1). 3. Take heed of relapses, and falling back to sin again (2 Peter 2:20). (T. Herren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. |
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