Be Not High-Minded, But Fear

"And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?" —II Kings 8:13 [KJV]

O, the treachery of the human heart! both scripture and experience prove this melancholy truth, that it is "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." Who can fathom the depths of its deceits? who can understand the misery of iniquity which lies concealed in the nature of sinful man? Alas! presumptuous confidence that our nature is not so totally corrupt and abominable, too, too oft deceives and betrays even the children of God. This wretch Hazael, who had premeditated rebellion and murder in his heart, yet starts at the prediction of these crimes which as yet had no real existence. 

Doubtless he thought Elisha judged very hard of him; he could almost stare the prophet out of countenance; and, as though he charged him with degrading the dignity of his human nature, he demands whether he looked on him no better than an unclean beast, a fierce devouring DOG, that he should commit such abominable wickedness? His very nature even shuddered at the very thoughts. But the history assures us "lust had conceived, and it brought forth sin;" which ended in the murder of his royal master! 

Hazael fully verified all the prophet's prediction. Boast not of thyself, O Christian; say not, I am a converted man, a believer in Jesus, not an unclean wretch like this Hazael; therefore I shall not fall into that and the other sin. Be not high-minded, but fear. Thou standest not by thine own strength, but by faith. This grace ever leads out of self to its object, Christ. Flatter not thyself, that thy corrupt nature is in any-wise better than another; know there is no difference. Deceive not thyself with conceits of perfection in the flesh, or with the deluded dream, that the root of sin is entirely destroyed in thy nature. 

Ever remember, "that in the flesh dwells no good thing;" that it is and ever will be prone to evil continually. Happy for thee that thou art new-born, new-created in the spirit of thy mind. It is thy privilege to live under the influence of grace and love. But still thy fallen nature is ever the same, the old man is still alive; there is the tinder of corruption, which may take fire from the devil's sparks of temptation. What thou art least suspecting, yea when thou art most confident of standing, thou mayest be in the greatest danger of falling. What thou fearest not to-day, tomorrow may overcome thee. Think not more highly of thyself than thou oughtest to think. Be sober; watch unto prayer. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble."—I Pet. 5:5. 

Sin hath a thousand treach'rous arts, 

To practise on the mind; 

With flatt'ring looks she tempts our hearts, 

But leaves a sting behind. 

She pleads for all the joy she brings, 

And gives a fair pretence; 

But cheats the soul of heav'nly things, 

And chains it down to sense.

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)