Isaiah 8:12-14 Say you not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear you their fear, nor be afraid.… I. DISTRACTION OF MIND IN DUTY (Luke 1:74). 1. Hereby Satan will cut off the freedom and sweetness of our communion with God in duties. 2. So distracting fears cut off the soul from the reliefs it might otherwise draw from the promises. 3. We lose the benefit and comfort of all our past experiences (Isaiah 51:12, 13). II. DISSIMULATION AND HYPOCRISY. Abraham (Genesis 20:2, 11); Isaac (Genesis 26:7); Peter (Matthew 26:69, etc.) . 1. By these falls and scandals religion is made contemptible in the eyes of the world. 2. It greatly weakens the hands of others, and proves a sore discouragement to them in their trials, to see their brethren faint for fear, and ashamed to own their principles. 3. It will be a terrible blow and wound to our own consciences. III. THE STRENGTHENING OF TEMPTATION IN TIMES OF DANGER (Proverbs 29:25). Aaron (Exodus 32) ; David (1 Samuel 21:12). It was fear that prevailed with to yield so far as he did in offering incense to the idol, the consideration of which fact brake his heart to pieces. 1. Sinful fear drives men out of their place and duty. 2. Fear is usually the first passion in the soul that parleys with the enemy, and treats with the tempter about terms of surrender. "The castle that parleys is half won" (French proverb), e.g., Spira. 3. Fear makes men impatient of waiting God's time and method of deliverance, and so drives the soul into the snare of the next temptation. IV. PUSILLANIMITY AND COWARDICE. You find it joined frequently in the Scriptures with discouragement (Deuteronomy 1:21; Deuteronomy 20:3, etc.). V. APOSTASY. It is not so much from the fury of our enemies without, as from our fears within, that temptations become victorious over us (Matthew 24:9, 10). VI. GREAT BONDAGE OF SPIRIT. Sinful fear makes death a thousand times more terrible than it would otherwise be (Hebrews 2:16). 1. Such a bondage as this destroys all the comfort and pleasure of life. 2. It destroys our spiritual comforts. 3. It deprives us of the manifold advantages we might gain by the calm and composed meditations of our own death. ( J. Flavel.) Parallel Verses KJV: Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. |
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