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I. In what respects sin and Satan may be compared to thieves.

1. Thieves are enemies to honest men, and of which they are in danger continually.

2. Thieves often in a secret and felonious manner have taken away all that men had in their possession, leaving them in a very poor and distressed condition who were very rich before.

3. Thieves many times lead poor travellers out of the king's highway, into some blind or secret place, and there bind them hand and foot, as well as take away all they have. So sin and Satan —

(I) With the bond of ignorance.

(2)  Hard heart.

(3)  Unbelief.

4. Thieves are a great terror to honest men, and they strive to avoid them as much as they can, and also to defend themselves against them with their utmost power and skill. So the Lord Jesus arms us with spiritual armour, wisdom, and courage, to resist the flesh, world, and devil.

5. Thieves wait a fit opportunity to come upon a person or family, even when they are most secure, or asleep in their beds. So Satan and other spiritual enemies watch a fit time when a child of God is most secure, or in a sleepy or slothful condition.

II. Sin and the evil are the worst of thieves.

1. Because they are soul-thieves, and seek to rob us of our choice and chiefest treasure.

2. Because they are cruel and bloody thieves, murdering thieves.

3. Because none have escaped them.

4. Nay, and they have not only murdered the whole world of ungodly sinners, but they have also wickedly slain and murdered the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Sin and the devil, &c., are the worst of thieves, because they are old thieves and murderers. "The devil was a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44).

6. They are the worst of thieves, considering their great subtilty, policy, and craftiness.

7. Because of their great power and strength. Who is a match for them?

(B. Keach.)

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KJV: But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

WEB: But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"