Mark 7:17-23 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.… A gentleman was once extolling loudly the virtue of honesty, saying what a dignity it imparted to our nature, and how it recommended us to the favour of God. "Sir," replied his friend, "however excellent the virtue of honesty may be, I fear there are very few men in the world who really possess it." "You surprise me," said a stranger. "Ignorant as I am of your character," was the reply, "I fancy it would be no difficult matter to prove even you to be a dishonest man." "I defy you." "Will you give me leave, then, to ask you a question or two, and promise not to be offended?" "Certainly." "Have you never met with an opportunity of getting gain by unfair means? I don't say, have you taken advantage of it; but, have you ever met with such an opportunity? I, for my part, have; and I believe every. body else has." "Very probably I may." "How did you feel your mind affected on such an occasion? Had you no secret desire, not the least inclination, to seize the advantage which offered? Tell me without any evasion, and consistently with the character you admire." "I must acknowledge, I have not always been absolutely free from every irregular inclination; but — ." "Hold! sir, none of your salvos; you have confessed enough. If you had the desire, though you never proceeded to the act, you were dishonest in heart. This is what the Scriptures call concupiscence. It defiles the soul; it is a breach of that law which requireth truth in the inward parts, and, unless you are pardoned through the Blood of Christ, it will be a just ground for your condemnation, when God shall judge the secrets of men. Parallel Verses KJV: And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.WEB: When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable. |
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