Proverbs 14:10 The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy. You cannot completely know your fellow-man. Every man is, in a measure, self-contained. Alone are we born, one by one; alone do we die, one by one. It is not surprising that we must be, in a measure, unknown to others, since we do not even fully know ourselves. There are points of individuality in each man which render him distinct from every other. Men in their highest and deepest conditions are remarkably secretive. The extreme heights and depths lie in darkness. Learn, then, that we may not judge our brethren as though we understood them, and were competent to give a verdict upon them. If we desire to show sympathy to our brethren, let us not dream that this is an easy task. Study the art of sympathy. We all need sympathy, and there is but One who can fully give it to us. I. THE HEART KNOWS A BITTERNESS PECULIAR TO ITSELF. This is true in a natural, common, and moral sense. Concerning any man this is true. The shoe pinches on every foot, and that foot alone knows where the pinch is felt. Do not intrude into the hidden sorrows of any. Most solemnly this is true concerning the godless man and concerning the awakened man. When the Holy Spirit begins to convince the man of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, then "the heart knoweth its own bitterness." And concerning the backslider. And concerning the tried believer. But the singularity of his suffering is the dream of the sufferer. Others have seen affliction too. Know thy sorrow well. And remember that the cure for bitterness of heart is to take it to your Lord at once. II. THE HEART KNOWS A SWEETNESS WHICH IS ALL ITS OWN. 1. The joy of pardoned sin. 2. The bliss of vanquished evil. 3. The joy of perfect reconciliation with God. 4. The joy of accepted service. 5. The joy of answered prayer. 6. The joy of peace in the time of trouble. 7. The joy of communion with God. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.WEB: The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger. |
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