The Sinfulness Of Sin - Preach The Word

The Sinfulness Of SinRalph Venningdoor, and Sarah also for her suppleness had a reproof from him (verse 16). Yetafter all this, Abraham's son Isaac is found remiss in the same thing, and meetswith the same rebuke, and that from one who did not pretend to so much religionas Isaac did (Genesis 26). Alas, how many, by taking false oaths and bearing falsewitness, give occasion to judges to justify the wicked and condemn the righteous!Much more might be spoken of these things, but a word to the wise is sufficient.(2) Take heed of being partners in other men's sins when they are committed, asco-helpers of them:(a) As instruments to execute others' sinful designs or commands. Thus Doeg was,in executing the priests (1 Samuel 22). So are any others who serve the lusts ofmen. All persons who are to be obeyed, such as father and mother, are to beobeyed in the Lord (Ephesians 6.1). whosoever's will is left undone, God's willshould be done, and never left undone to fulfil that of another or our own. Theywho put unrighteous decrees into execution are under the same woe with themwho decree them; for without the execution the decree would do no harm to themagainst whom it was made (Isaiah 10:1,3). Those who put wicked commands intopractice and execution are wicked, and are partners in the wickedness of those whocommand wickedness (I Kings 12.30).(b) As confederates with others. Though the sin is not committed by you who areconfederates, yet your being such makes you partakers of their sin. The counsellorsand combiners are judged equally with the practisers (Psalm 83. 3-9). 'Blessed arethey who walk not in the counsel of the ungodly' (Psalm 1.1). And the prophetsays, The Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand'--not simply the word of theLord came to me, or the Lord spake to me, but he spake with a strong hand! why?'Say ye not, a confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, aconfederacy' (Isaiah 8.11,12). The men of the league and association fare, becausethey sin, alike (Psalm 2, with Acts 4.26-28).(c) As consenters, giving your consent to other's sin; whereas if you had denied it,perhaps they would not have sinned. when thou sawest a thief, then thouconsentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers' (Psalm 50.18). Anadulterer is a thief, for he steals water from another's cistern, and to consent withhim is to be a partaker. Therefore, 'If sinners entice thee, consent thou not'(Proverbs 1.10); enter your dissent and do not let your soul have anything to dowith their secrets.Consent may be signified by complying actions. Paul speaks of this as being oncehis own case: he consented to the death of the martyr Stephen, and witnessesboth that he stood by and that he kept the raiment of those who slew him (Acts22.20). In the same way, many consent to the sin of others by standing guard andwatching the door; in this way they do not only wink at, but encourage andembolden others to sin.Consent may be given by silent connivance, when we see people about to sin anddo not witness against it. Silence, we say, gives consent. So it does often, thoughnot always; for it may be the case that it would only be to throw pearls beforeswine to speak to some scorners. Some speak too gently, as if it were a matter of155