Yes, my friends, our only safeguard is humility. Be not high-
minded, but fear. Avoid every appearance of evil. Believe that in
every temptation heaven and hell may be at stake: and that the only
way to be safe is to do nothing wilfully wrong at all, for you never
know how far downward one wilful sin may lead you. The devil is not
simple enough to let you see the bottom of his pitfall: but it is
so deep, nevertheless, that he who falls in, may never get out
again.
And do not say in your hearts about this thing and that, 'Well, it
is wrong: but it is such a little matter.' A little draught may
give a great cold; and a great cold grow to a deadly decline. A
little sin may grow to a great bad habit; and a great bad habit may
kill both body and soul in hell. A little bait may take a great
fish; and the devil fishes with a very fine line, and is not going
to let you see his hook. The only way to be safe is to avoid all
appearance of evil, lest when you fancy yourself most completely
your own master, you find yourself the slave of sin.
Oh, may God give us all the spirit of watchfulness and godly fear!
Of watchfulness, lest sin overtake us unawares; and of godly fear,
that we may have strength to say with Joseph, 'How can I do this
great wickedness, and sin against God?' Of watchfulness, too, not
only against sin, but for God; of godly fear, not only fear of God's
anger, but fear of God's love.
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