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I. HOW SIN IS TO BE TAKEN AS SAID TO BE DECEITFUL, AND WHEREIN ITS DECEITFULNESS LIES.

1. With reference to the external object and act about it, sin's deceitfulness lies in false appearances and delusive promises.

2. As to indwelling corruption, who can tell the many ways it has to deceive and destroy? Sin here is the man sinful, proving a tempter to himself.

(1) In enticing to it: What pains does the shiner take to justify or extenuate the evil he is bent upon? desirous by a deceitful varnish to take off .from its horrid appearance, that it may give as little disturbance to conscience as possible. All endeavours are used, not only to colour the object, but to corrupt the eye by a disguising tincture, that the sight of things may not be according to truth, but according to his desire.

(2) In confirming in it; drawing on its servants even to final obduracy and destruction. To this end false principles are admitted, or perverse inference drawn from true ones: the Scriptures are wrested, precious promises, instances of grace abounding to the chief of sinners, &c., and arguments fetched from all, whereby sinners encourage themselves to add sin to sin.

II. THE POWER AND PREVALENCY OF THE DECEITFULNESS THAT BELONGS TO SIN.

1. How strangely powerful is the deceitfulness of sin, with reference to the many who love and live therein, though they are told of its present deceit and destructive issue?

2. How powerful is the deceitfulness of sin, that can persuade men that are made for another world, to look no farther than this; and so seek for happiness where it is never to be found, or call that so, that is bounded by sense and time, as if they had nothing higher to mind.

3. How powerful is the deceitfulness of sin, as to the numbers over whom it still reigns, though all its servants sooner or later confess the delusion?

III. WHAT HARDNESS THIS TENDS TO AS MATTER OF FEAR AND FLIGHT.

1. Habitual. This is the result of repeated acts of sin, strengthening the natural depravity, and confirming in it. Hereby the sinner is emboldened in his way, and becomes a stranger to much of that shame and sorrow, reluctancy and remorse, which he was sometimes-wont to feel.

2. Judicial, or inflicted from heaven.Lessons:

1. Hence learn the reason of that mighty storm that is ordinarily felt in the breasts of true penitents upon their first becoming such.

2. How adorable is the grace of God, as to all that get safe to heaven; what joy will there be upon their arrival!

3. It need not seem strange that holy men are afraid of nothing so much as sin, and cannot allow themselves to follow a multitude to do evil (Exodus 23:2), it being too dear a compliment to be paid to any, to run the hazard of being hardened first, and so of perishing for company.

4. How dangerous is their mistake, who whilst under the power of sin, think their case good, because their consciences are quiet? And with how many is it thus?

5. How great is our advantage in having the Bible and living under the gospel? By which we are warned of sin's deceitfulness and armed against it.

6. How desirable is the state of such as are in covenant with God, having chosen Him in Christ for theirs, and given up themselves unto Him. They are hereby become His special charge, as well as His peculiar delight.

7. Is the case so sad of being hardened in sin? Let the dread of this awaken a present and perpetual opposition to it in every one that would be safe.

(1) Begin at the root: see that corruption, as to its power and reign, be mortified within. Get by faith into union with Christ.

(2) Let conscience be instructed from the Word of God, and charge it to be faithful, and hearken to its voice.

(3) Beware of running upon temptation in a vain presumption you may come off safe. Your strength lies not in yourselves, but must come from heaven; and you have no promise of protection out of God's way.

(4) Keep the cross of Christ as much as possible in view, and remember it was sin that nailed Him to it.

(5) Solemnly renew your covenant with God, and often reflect upon it with approbation; that whenever tempted to sin, you may be able readily to answer, I have opened my mouth unto the Lord and I cannot go back (Judges 11:35). Thy vows are upon me, O God (Psalm 56:12).

(6) Live under an awful sense of God's presence with you, and plead it with yourselves, that you may act accordingly.

(7) Frequently call yourselves to account. The beginnings of sin may be most hopefully resisted; but like a slight disease, may prove dangerous in the neglect, and threaten death.

(8) Use yourselves to a life of self-denial as to the flesh and the world.

(9) Keep up lively apprehensions of death and judgment approaching.

(10) Make your constant, serious application to heaven, for wisdom to discern, and grace to withstand the deceitfulness of sin.

(D. Wilcox.)

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KJV: But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

WEB: but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called "today;" lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.