Chapter XXX: Part XV: Admonitions and Warnings

The Dream Of Pilate’s Wife. "Have thou nothing to do with that just Man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him." Matt. 27:19.

Pride

Jonah And The Whale. "Pride goeth before destruction." Prov. 16:18.

1. How does the Lord regard pride?

“Six things doth the Lord _hate: ... a proud look_,” etc. Prov. 6:16-19.

2. Of what is pride a forerunner?

“Pride goeth before _destruction_, and an haughty spirit before _a fall_.” Prov. 16:18. See Prov. 29:23.

3. What was the cause of Satan’s downfall?

“Thine heart was _lifted up because of thy beauty_.” Eze. 28:17.

4. What is God’s attitude toward the proud?

“God _resisteth_ the proud.” James 4:6. See Ps. 40:4; 101:5; 138:6; 1 Tim. 6:4.

5. Why should we not indulge in pride?

“An high look, and a proud heart, ... is _sin_.” Prov. 21:4.

6. What is to be one of the sins of the last days?

“Men shall be ... _proud_.” 2 Tim. 3:2.

7. How are the proud now generally regarded?

“Now we call the proud _happy_.” Mal. 3:15.

8. What is to be the fate of the proud?

“All the proud ... shall be stubble: and _the day that cometh shall burn them up_.” Mal. 4:1.

Nathan’s Parable. "The rich man ... spared to take of his own flock, ...
but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it." 2 Sam, 12:2-4.

Selfishness

Jacob Deceiving His Father. "Thou shalt not covet." Ex. 20:17.

1. What great commandment excludes selfishness?

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. 22:39.

2. What sin is forbidden by the tenth commandment?

“Thou shalt not _covet_.” Ex. 20:17.

3. What sins are to characterize the last days?

“Men shall be _lovers of their own selves, covetous_.” 2 Tim. 3:2.

4. How prevalent is this sin of self-seeking?

“For _all seek their own_, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” Phil. 2:21.

5. What does charity not do?

“Charity ... _seeketh not her own_.” 1 Cor. 13:4, 5.

6. How are we admonished with regard to selfishness?

“Let no man _seek his own_.” 1 Cor. 10:24. “Look not every man _on his own things_, but every man also _on the things of others_.” Phil. 2:4. “Even as I please all men in all things, _not seeking mine own profit_, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” 1 Cor. 10:33. “Let every one of us _please his neighbor_ for his good to edification.” Rom. 15:2.

7. What example of unselfishness did Christ leave us?

“For your sakes _He became poor_.” 2 Cor. 8:9. “Even Christ _pleased not Himself_.” Rom. 15:3. See 1 John 3:17.

Covetousness

The Sin Of Achan. "When I saw ... I coveted them, and took them." Joshua
7:21.

1. What warning did Christ give concerning covetousness?

“And He said unto them, _Take heed, and beware of covetousness_: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15.

2. What commandment forbids this sin?

“Thou shalt not covet.” Ex. 20:17.

Covetous: “Inordinately desirous; excessively eager to obtain and
possess (especially money); avaricious.”—_Webster._

3. What showed this principle to have been strong in the rich man who already had abundance?

“And he said, This will I do: _I will pull down my barns, and build greater_; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, _Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry_.” Luke 12:18, 19.

4. What did God say to him?

“But God said unto him, _Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided_?” Verse 20.

5. What application of this parable did the Saviour make?

“So is he that layeth up _treasure for himself_, and is not _rich toward God_.” Verse 21.

6. What does Paul call covetousness?

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and _covetousness, which is idolatry_.” Col. 3:5.

NOTE.—“Do not wade far out into the dangerous sea of this world’s
comfort. Take the good that God provides you, but say of it, ‘It
passeth away;’ for indeed it is but a temporary supply for a
temporary need. Never suffer your goods to become your
god.”—_Spurgeon._

7. What do these sins bring upon mankind?

“For which things’ sake _the wrath of God_ cometh on the children of disobedience.” Verse 6.

8. What double service did Christ say is impossible?

“Ye cannot serve _God_ and _mammon_.” Luke 16:13.

9. Of what sin were the Pharisees guilty?

“And the Pharisees also, _who were covetous_, heard all these things: and they derided Him.” Verse 14.

10. What reply did Christ make?

“And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for _that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God_.” Verse 15.

11. How does the Lord regard the covetous?

“For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, _whom the Lord abhorreth_.” Ps. 10:3.

12. What did this sin lead Achan to do?

“When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold, ... _I coveted them, and took them_.” Joshua 7:21.

13. What did covetousness lead Judas to do?

“And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, _to betray Him_ unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and _promised to give him money_. And he sought how he might conveniently _betray Him_.” Mark 14:10, 11.

14. Why are the last days to be perilous?

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be _lovers of their own selves, covetous,_ boasters, proud, blasphemers.” 2 Tim. 3:1, 2.

Balaam And The Angel. "The elders of Moab, ... with the rewards of
divination in their hand, ... came unto Balaam." Num. 22:7.

15. What parable did Christ give to correct the false idea of the Pharisees that wealth was a sign of special favor with God?

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Luke 16:19-31.

16. What did He point out as one of the dangers of the possession of wealth?

“And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, _How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!_... Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, _how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!_” Mark 10:23, 24.

NOTE.—And how hard it is for those who have riches not to trust in
them!

17. As a rule, what class generally accept the gospel?

“Harken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen _the poor of this world_ rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” James 2:5.

18. How difficult did Christ say it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:25.

NOTE.—If Christ here referred to a small, low gate in the walls of
Jerusalem, called “The Needle’s Eye,” as is thought by some, the
force of the statement still remains; for, before a camel could
pass through this gate, it was necessary that he should be
relieved of his burden, and get down on his knees and creep
through.

19. Why was the rich young man desiring salvation, unwilling to sell what he had and give alms, as Christ told him to do?

“But when the young man heard that saying, _he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions_.” Matt. 19:16.

20. What is the love of money declared to be?

“For the love of money is _the root of all evil_.” 1 Tim. 6:10.

21. What evils befall those who are determined to be rich?

“But they that will be rich _fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition_.” Verse 9.

22. Who gives man the power to get wealth?

“But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for _it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth_.” Deut. 8:18.

23. How may all, rich and poor, honor God?

“Honor the Lord _with thy substance_, and _with the first-fruits of all thine increase_.” Prov. 3:9.

24. What caution is given concerning riches?

“If riches increase, _set not your heart upon them_.” Ps. 62:10.

25. Can riches be retained to men’s hurt?

“There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, _riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt_.” Eccl. 5:13.

26. What charge is given to the rich?

“Charge them that are rich in this world, _that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God_, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they _do good_, that they be _rich in good works_, _ready to distribute_, _willing to communicate_; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Tim. 6:17-19.

27. What makes rich without adding sorrow?

“_The blessing of the Lord_, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.” Prov. 10:22.

28. How are true riches obtained?

“By _humility_ and the _fear of the Lord_ are riches, and honor, and life.” Prov. 22:4.

29. How did Moses esteem the reproach of Christ?

“Esteeming the reproach of Christ _greater riches than the treasures in Egypt_: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Heb. 11:26.

30. What two classes of rich men are mentioned in the Bible?

“There is that maketh himself _rich_, yet _hath nothing_: there is that maketh himself _poor_, yet hath _great riches_.” Prov. 13:7.

NOTE.—In Luke 12:16-20 is an example of the first class; in Acts
4:34-37 are examples of the second.

31. What solemn warning is addressed to the rich who, in the last days, have heaped up treasure, and oppressed the poor?

“Go to now, ye rich men, _weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you_. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and _the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat __ your flesh as it were fire_. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.” James 5:1-5.

32. Will silver or gold be able to deliver in the day of wrath?

“Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath.” Zeph. 1:18. See also Prov. 11:4.

33. What will the rich men do with their money then?

“_They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed_: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling-block of their iniquity.” Eze. 7:19.

NOTES.—When the steamer “Central America,” with nearly six hundred
passengers aboard, was wrecked off Cape Hatteras, Sept. 12, 1857,
in a fearful storm, many of the passengers who were returning
miners from the gold-mines of California, divested themselves of
their treasure belts and scattered the gold upon the cabin floors,
telling those to take it who would, lest its weight about their
persons should carry them to their death. “Full purses, containing
in some instances thousands of dollars, lay around untouched.
Carpetbags were opened, and the shining metal was poured out on
the floor with the prodigality of death’s despair. One of the
passengers opened a bag and dashed about the cabin twenty thousand
dollars in gold-dust, and told him who wanted to gratify his greed
for gold to take it. But it was passed by untouched, as the
veriest dross.”—_“__Our First Century,__”__ pages 642, 643._

When the steamship “Arctic” was lost from a collision in
mid-ocean, Sept. 20, 1854, one passenger offered thirty thousand
pounds sterling, or one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, if the
life-boats would put back to save him. They turned to do so, but
he sank before they reached him.—_Id._, page 614.

34. As stewards of God’s gifts, what are we told to do?

“And I say unto you, _Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness_; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” Luke 16:9. “As every man hath received the gift, _even so minister the same one to another_, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10.

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Is not the way to heavenly gain
Through earthly grief and loss?
Rest must be won by toil and pain;
The crown repays the cross.
HENRY F. LYTE.

Debts

Forging The Chains. "The borrower is servant to the lender." Prov. 22:7.

1. What general rule is laid down in the Bible respecting the meeting of obligations?

“_Render therefore to all their dues_: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom.... _Owe no man anything, but to love one another._” Rom. 13:7, 8.

2. In what condition is one who borrows?

“The borrower is _servant to the lender_.” Prov. 22:7.

3. To what extent is one responsible for that borrowed?

“And if a man borrow aught of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or die, ... _he shall surely make it good_.” Ex. 22:14.

4. Why did the young man in Elisha’s time feel so bad about the loss of an ax head?

“But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for _it was borrowed_.” 2 Kings 6:5.

5. What miracle was wrought by Elisha for its restoration?

“And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; _and the iron did swim_.” Verse 6.

NOTE.—From this we may learn God’s willingness to help those who
honestly seek to meet their obligations.

6. How does the good man guide his affairs?

“A good man showeth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs _with discretion_.” Ps. 112:5.

7. To what should those listen who lack business discretion?

“Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth _instruction_: but he that regardeth _reproof_ shall be honored.” Prov. 13:18.

NOTE.—It is wise for those who, from lack of natural business
ability, find themselves constantly running into debt, to seek
advice and counsel from those endowed with more wisdom in such
matters.

8. Which of Christ’s parables teaches business discretion?

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and _counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it_? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.” Luke 14:28-30.

9. How were means provided for building the tabernacle?

“And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying, Take ye from among you _an offering_ unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,” etc. Ex. 35:4-9.

10. What provision did David make for building the temple?

“I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God.” 1 Chron. 29:2.

11. How did the people respond to his call for contributions?

“Then the chief of the fathers and princes ... _offered willingly_.... Then the people rejoiced, for that _they offered willingly_, because with perfect heart _they offered willingly_ to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” Verses 6-9.

12. When King Jehoash wished to repair the temple, what provision did he make for raising the necessary means?

“And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the Lord, ... and all the money that cometh into any man’s heart to bring into the house of the Lord, let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.” 2 Kings 12:4, 5.

13. When, after sixteen years, it was found that these repairs had not yet been made, what was done?

“Jehoiada the priest _took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the Lord_: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord.” Verse 9.

14. What was done with the money thus raised?

“They gave the money ... into the hands of them that did the work, ... and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the Lord.” Verse 11.

NOTES.—These examples furnish good lessons on financing gospel
enterprises. In each instance, it will be noticed, the means were
provided before the work of building was begun. No debt,
therefore, was created. In all business transactions this plan is
an excellent one to follow.

“Debt! There is no worse demoralizer of character. The sad records
of defaulting, embezzling, and dishonest failure which we meet
with so constantly in the daily press are often, indeed most
frequently, the result of the demoralization of debt, and the
consequent desperate efforts of extraction. The financial props
have given way.... Debt ruins as many households and destroys as
many fine characters as rum; it is the devil’s mortgage on the
soul, and he is always ready to foreclose. Pay all your bills.
Look every man in the face, conscious that you owe the world no
more than it owes you. Be indebted for nothing but love, and even
that be sure you pay in kind, and that payments are
frequent.”—_Talmage._

“This running into debt is a great cause of dishonesty.... Young
men are growing quite shameless about being in debt; and the
immorality extends throughout society. Tastes are becoming more
extravagant and luxurious, without the corresponding increase of
means to enable them to be gratified. But they are gratified
nevertheless; and debts are incurred, which afterwards weigh like
a millstone round the neck.... The safest plan is to run up no
bills, and never get into debt; and the next is if one does get
into debt, to get out of it again as quickly as possible. A man in
debt is not his own master: he is at the mercy of the tradesman he
employs.... No man can be free who is in debt. The inevitable
effect of debt is not only to injure personal independence, but,
in the long run, to inflict moral degradation. The debtor is
exposed to constant humiliations.”—_“__Thrift,__”__ by Samuel
Smiles, pages 243-247._

The following testimony on this subject is borne by a Chicago
lady, who had been happily wedded for fifty years. “I know why
John and I have been happy during these fifty years. In the first
place, we have made it a rule never to go in debt. I have lived in
Chicago sixty-eight years, and never during that time have I owed
a person a cent.... I believe a good deal of unhappiness is caused
by spending more than you make. It has been our policy to buy what
we could well afford to have, and then stop.”—_Chicago Tribune,
Aug. 24, 1902._

Respect Of Persons

Peter In The House Of Cornelius. "Of a truth I perceive that God is no
respecter of persons." Acts 10:34.

1. Of what has God made all nations?

“And hath made _of one blood_ all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” Acts 17:26.

2. To how many is God good?

“The Lord is _good to all_: and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Ps. 145:9.

3. Is God a respecter of persons?

“Neither doth God respect any person.” 2 Sam. 14:14.

4. Who is accepted with God?

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation _he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him_.” Acts 10:34, 35.

5. What prohibitions are given in the Scriptures against having respect of persons?

“Ye shall not respect persons _in judgment_; but ye shall hear the _small_ as well as the _great_; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man.” Deut. 1:17. “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the _poor_, nor honor the person of the _mighty_: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.” Lev. 19:15. “Blessed is that man that ... respecteth not the _proud_, nor such as turn aside to _lies_.” Ps. 40:4.

6. Of what are those guilty who respect persons?

“If ye have respect to persons, _ye commit sin_, and are convinced of the law as _transgressors_.” James 2:9. “He that despiseth his neighbor _sinneth_.” Prov. 14:21.

7. By what illustration is this sin made plain?

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” James 2:1-4.

8. What led to the appointment of deacons in the early Christian church?

“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, _there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration_.” Acts 6:1.

9. What mistake did Peter and others make some years later in their conduct?

“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: _but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision_. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.” Gal. 2:11-13.

10. How are all national, unholy, and unjust distinctions among men swept away in Christ?

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. _There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus._” Gal. 3:27, 28. See also Col. 3:11.

The Pharisee And The Publican. "I tell you, this man [the publican] went
down to his house justified rather than the other." Luke 18:14.

Backsliding

Peter’s Denial. "And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the Man."
Matt. 26:72.

1. How does God regard backsliding?

“Thy backslidings shall reprove thee: ... _it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God_, and that My fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts.” Jer. 2:19. “If any man draw back, _My soul shall have no pleasure in him_.” Heb. 10:38.

2. What has ever been the tendency of God’s people?

“My people are _bent to backsliding from Me_.” Hosea 11:7.

3. What inevitably leads to departure from God?

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you _an evil heart of unbelief_, in departing from the living God.” Heb. 3:12.

NOTE.—Unbelief is “the sin which doth so easily beset us.” Heb.
12:1.

4. In what ways did the constant backsliding of the people of Jerusalem manifest itself?

“Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? _they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return_. I harkened and heard, but _they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness_, saying, What have I done? _every one turned to his course_, as the horse rusheth into the battle.” Jer. 8:5, 6.

5. To what is backsliding likened?

“Surely _as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband_, so have ye dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.” Jer. 3:20.

6. To regain God’s favor, what must the backslider do?

“_Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God_, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed My voice, saith the Lord.” Verse 13.

7. On what condition does God promise mercy to sinners?

“_Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord_, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55:7.

8. Why must the wicked forsake their thoughts and ways?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.” Verse 8.

NOTE.—God desires that we shall think His thoughts, which are
right thoughts, pure thoughts, everlasting thoughts. He desires
also that we shall take on His ways, which are ways of
pleasantness, and walk in His paths, which are paths of peace.

9. What is especially necessary to prevent backsliding?

“_Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation._ The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38.

10. What are believers exhorted to do?

“_Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves._ Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Cor. 13:5.

11. If one has God’s law in the heart, what will not occur?

“The law of his God is in his heart; _none of his steps shall slide_.” Ps. 37:31.

12. What is one characteristic of backsliding?

“Even from the days of your fathers _ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them_. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?” Mal. 3:7.

13. In response, what neglected ordinance does God cite?

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In _tithes and offerings_.” Verse 8.

14. What remedy is indicated?

“_Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house_, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Verse 10.

15. Because of Christ’s plain teachings, what did some of His disciples do?

“From that time many of His disciples _went back, and walked no more with Him_.” John 6:66.

16. When the backslider repents, what does God do?

“Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.... _I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely_: for Mine anger is turned away from him.” Hosea 14:2-4.

17. Will there be special danger of backsliding in the last days?

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matt. 24:12.

18. What are some of the evils against which we are specially warned at this time?

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with _surfeiting_, and _drunkenness_, and _cares of this life_, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Luke 21:34.

19. In view of the perils surrounding us, what are we told to do?

“_Watch ye therefore, and pray always_, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Verse 36.

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O for a closer walk with God!
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

WILLIAM COWPER.

Unbelief

Moses And Aaron Before Pharaoh. "Let us lay aside ... the sin which doth
so easily beset us." Heb. 12:1.

1. What warning is given in the Bible concerning unbelief?

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an _evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God_.” Heb. 3:12.

2. Without faith, what is impossible?

“Without faith it is impossible _to please Him_.” Heb. 11:6.

3. How only can we be justified?

“Being justified _by faith_, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:1.

4. By what do the just live?

“Now the just shall live _by faith_.” Heb. 10:38.

NOTE.—If men are _justified_ by faith, and are to _live_ by faith,
it follows that to be unbelieving is not to be justified, and
consequently not to live in the sense here referred to.

5. In whom does the Lord have no pleasure?

“But if any man _draw back_, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Same verse.

6. What kind of report did the ten spies bring back concerning the promised land?

“They brought up _an evil report_ of the land which they had searched.” Num. 13:32.

7. What did Caleb say of the ability of Israel to take it?

“Let us go up at once, and possess it; for _we are well able to overcome it_.” Verse 30.

8. What did the ten spies say?

“But the men that went up with him said, _We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we_.” Verse 31.

9. Why did not Israel attain to the standard of righteousness?

“But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? _Because they sought it not by faith._” Rom. 9:31, 32.

10. When told of the disciples’ failure to heal an afflicted son, what did Christ say of that generation?

“He answereth him, and saith, _O faithless generation_, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto Me.” Mark 9:19.

11. What did Christ say to Thomas because he did not believe the testimony of his brethren concerning His resurrection?

“Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and _be not faithless, but believing_.” John 20:27.

NOTE.—The Lord rebuked Thomas for his unbelief, because he would
not accept the testimony of so many credible witnesses who had
seen Him. How much more reprehensible is that unbelief which holds
out against the present “cloud of witnesses” of prophecy fulfilled
and fulfilling!

12. After speaking of the numerous examples of faith presented in Hebrews 11, what does Paul exhort us to do?

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us _lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us_, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Heb. 12:1.

NOTE.—The “every weight” here spoken of includes those traits of
character and habits of life that retard or hinder our running
successfully the Christian race. These are to be laid aside. But
there is one thing referred to here that is more than a weight; it
is a _sin_, and one that easily besets us all,—the sin of
_unbelief_. To be unbelieving, therefore, is sinful.

13. Why did many fail to enter into God’s rest anciently?

“And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that _believed not_? So we see that _they could not enter in because of unbelief_.” Heb. 3:18, 19.

14. How are these unbelieving ones spoken of?

“But with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with _them that had sinned_, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?” Verse 17.

15. What lesson should we learn from their course?

“_Let us therefore fear_, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Heb. 4:1.

NOTE.—God does not change. If He was grieved at the unbelief of
the Israelites, and refused them admittance to Canaan in
consequence, He cannot permit us to enter the heavenly rest as
long as we indulge in unbelief.

16. What should all labor to do?

“Let us labor therefore _to enter into that rest_, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Verse 11.

17. Against what are we warned when rebuked of God?

“My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, _nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him_.” Heb. 12:5.

18. Whom does the Lord chasten?

“_For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth_, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” Verse 6.

19. When God made a promise to Abraham that seemed impossible of fulfilment, how did the patriarch receive it?

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was _strong in faith_, giving glory to God.” Rom. 4:20.

20. For what was Abraham’s faith counted?

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and _it was counted unto him for righteousness_.” Verse 3.

21. When troubled with doubts, how should we pray?

“Lord, I believe; _help Thou mine unbelief_.” Mark 9:24.

22. What is promised those who believe when they pray?

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and _ye shall have them_.” Mark 11:24.

Judging

Slaying The First-Born. "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
Rom. 12:19.

1. What warning does Christ give concerning judging?

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Matt. 7:1.

2. What is Satan called in the Scriptures?

“_The accuser of our brethren_ ... which accused them before our God day and night.” Rev. 12:10.

NOTE.—Then when we judge, accuse, and condemn one another, we are
doing the work of Satan.

3. If we bite and devour one another, what may we expect?

“But if ye bite and devour one another, _take heed that ye be not consumed one of another_.” Gal. 5:15.

4. Before attempting to judge, criticize, or correct others, what should we first do?

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye: and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, _first cast out the beam out of thine own eye_; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matt. 7:3-5.

5. What did Christ say He did not come to do?

“If any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not: for _I came not to judge the world_, but to save the world.” “For God sent not His Son into the world to _condemn_ the world; but that the world through Him might be _saved_.” John 12:47; 3:17.

6. What question does Paul ask concerning judging?

“_Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?_ to his own master he standeth or falleth.” Rom. 14:4.

7. To whom are all to give account?

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself _to God_.” Verse 12.

8. What exhortation, therefore, does the apostle give?

“_Let us not therefore judge one another any more_: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” Verse 13.

9. Instead of railing on His enemies, what did Christ do?

“Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but _committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously_.” 1 Peter 2:23.

10. Wherein do man’s judging and God’s judging differ?

“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for _man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart_.” 1 Sam. 16:7. “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but _God knoweth your hearts_: for _that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God_.” Luke 16:15.

11. How does Christ tell us to judge?

“Judge _not according to the appearance_, but _judge righteous judgment_.” John 7:24.

12. How, by whom, and in what spirit should those having committed faults be dealt with?

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, _ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted_.” Gal. 6:1.

13. Of what are those generally guilty who judge others?

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; _for thou that judgest doest the same things_.” Rom. 2:1.

14. Whom are we not likely to judge and condemn?

“For if we would judge _ourselves_, we should not be judged.” 1 Cor. 11:31.

15. What instruction does James give regarding judging?

“_Speak not evil one of another, brethren._ He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” James 4:11. See Titus 3:2.

16. Why is it safer not to judge and condemn others?

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned.” Luke 6:37. “_For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again._” Matt. 7:2. See Ps. 18:25, 26.

17. To what time are we exhorted to defer judgment?

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, _until the Lord come_, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart.” 1 Cor. 4:5.

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“Judge not;” the workings of his brain
And of his heart thou canst not see.
What looks to thy dim eyes a stain,
In God’s pure sight may only be
A scar, brought from some well-won field
Where thou wouldst only faint and yield.

The look, the air, that frets thy sight,
May be a token that, below,
The soul has closed in deadly fight
With some infernal, fiery foe
Whose glance would scorch thy smiling grace,
And cast thee shuddering on thy face.

The fall thou darest to despise—
Perhaps the angel’s slackened hand
Has suffered it, that he may rise
And take a firmer, surer stand;
Or, trusting less to earthly things,
May henceforth learn to use his wings.

And judge none lost, but wait and see,
With hopeful pity, not disdain;
The depth of that abyss may be
The measure of the height of pain,
And love, and glory, that may raise
The soul to God in after-days.

ADELAIDE A. PROCTER.

Gossiping And Backbiting

Sowing Tares. "While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares." Matt.
13:25

1. What does the ninth commandment forbid?

“Thou shalt not bear _false witness_ against thy neighbor.” Ex. 20:16.

NOTE.—The evident object of this commandment is to guard the
rights, interests, and reputation of our neighbor, by guarding our
conversation, and confining our words to that which is strictly
true.

2. What instruction did John the Baptist give the soldiers who asked of him advice regarding the way of life?

“And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, _neither accuse any falsely_; and be content with your wages.” Luke 3:14.

3. What is one test of a perfect man?

“If any man _offend not in word_, the same is _a perfect man_, and able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2.

4. How did Christ teach the importance of guarding our speech?

“But I say unto you, That _every idle word_ that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy _words_ thou shalt be justified, and by thy _words_ thou shalt be condemned.” Matt. 12:36, 37.

5. To whom are our words all known?

“For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, _O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether_.” Ps. 139:4.

6. Of what are one’s words an index?

“Out of the abundance of _the heart_ the mouth speaketh.” Matt. 12:34.

7. What conduct is condemned by the Scriptures?

“Thou shalt not go up and down _as a talebearer among thy people_: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the Lord.” Lev. 19:16.

8. To what are the words of a talebearer compared?

“The words of a talebearer are _as wounds_.” Prov. 26:22.

9. What is their effect?

“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but _he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends_.” Prov. 17:9.

10. What would follow if there were no talebearers?

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so _where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth_.” Prov. 26:20.

11. Among other things, what did Paul fear he would find in the Corinthian church?

“For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, _backbitings_, whisperings, swellings, tumults.” 2 Cor. 12:20.

12. What result follows backbiting and like evils?

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But _if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another_.” Gal. 5:14, 15.

13. How may a backbiting tongue be rebuked?

“The north wind driveth away rain: _so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue_.” Prov. 25:23.

14. To whom is the promise made of abiding in the tabernacle of the Lord, and dwelling in His holy hill?

“He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. _He that backbiteth not with __ his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor_.” Ps. 15:2, 3.

NOTE.—“Never carry a sword in your tongue to wound the reputation
of any man,” says Kirkle. Noah Webster laid down this rule: “We
should say nothing of a person in his absence that we should be
unwilling to say if he were present.” How few govern their
conversation according to this rule! See Prov. 31:10, 26.

15. What caution is given in regard to receiving an accusation against an elder?

“Against an elder receive not an accusation, _but before two or three witnesses_.” 1 Tim. 5:19.

NOTE.—“He that lends an easy and credulous ear to calumny is
either a man of very mean morals, or has no more sense of
understanding than a child.”—_Menander._

16. Can man, unrenewed by grace, control his tongue?

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: _but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison_.” James 3:7, 8.

17. As a guard against the misuse of the power of speech, therefore, for what should we pray?

“Set a _watch_, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the _door_ of my lips.” Ps. 141:3.

18. What vow did David take against offenses of the tongue?

“I said, _I will take heed to my ways_, that I sin not with my _tongue_: _I will keep my mouth with a bridle_, while the wicked is before me.” Ps. 39:1.

19. What is a sure cure for backbiting?

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. 22:39. “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Matt. 7:12. “Speak evil of no man.” Titus 3:2. See also James 4:11.

20. What are those words like which are fitly spoken?

“A word fitly spoken is _like apples of gold in pictures of silver_.” Prov. 25:11.

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“Keep a watch on your words, my darlings,
For words are wonderful things:
They are sweet like bees’ fresh honey;
Like the bees they have terrible stings;
They can bless like the warm, glad sunshine,
And brighten a lonely life;
They can cut in the strife of anger,
Like an open, two-edged knife.”

Joseph Sold Into Egypt. "Where envying and strife is, there is confusion
and every evil work." James 3:16.

Envy, Jealousy, And Hatred

Saul Seeks David’s Life. "Who is able to stand before envy?" Prov. 27:4.

1. What does Solomon say of envy?

“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but _who is able to stand before envy_?” Prov. 27:4.

2. What is said of jealousy?

“Jealousy is _cruel as the grave_.” Song of Solomon 8:6.

3. What is said of one who hates his brother?

“Whosoever hateth his brother _is a murderer_.” 1 John 3:15.

4. What did envy lead the chief priests to do with Christ?

“For he [Pilate] knew that the chief priests had _delivered Him [to be crucified] for envy_.” Mark 15:10.

5. What did it lead the Jews to do in Paul’s day?

“But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and _spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming_.” Acts 13:45.

6. What exists where envy and strife are?

“For where envying and strife is, there is _confusion and every evil work_.” James 3:16.

7. Why should the heart be closely watched?

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for _out of it are the issues of life_.” Prov. 4:23.

Hypocrisy

Jesus Betrayed By A Kiss. "Let love be without dissimulation." Rom. 12:9.

1. Of what sin were the Pharisees guilty?

“Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is _hypocrisy_.” Luke 12:1.

NOTE.—Hypocrisy is a feigning to be what one is not;
dissimulation; a concealment of one’s real character or motives;
especially, the assuming of a false appearance of virtue or
religion.

2. How did the Pharisees show themselves to be hypocrites?

“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people _draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me_.” Matt. 15:7, 8.

3. How did they make void one of God’s commandments?

“For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.... But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. _Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition._” Verses 4-6.

4. How did Christ say hypocrites pray?

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for _they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men_. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Matt. 6:5.

5. What does Christ call one who readily sees the faults of others, but does not see nor correct his own?

“_Thou hypocrite_, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matt. 7:5.

6. How does a hypocrite treat his neighbor?

“An hypocrite with his mouth _destroyeth his neighbor_.” “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: _Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee_.” Prov. 11:9; 23:7.

7. Which of the apostles was once guilty of dissimulation?

“And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him [Peter]; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.” Gal. 2:13.

8. Why did Paul say he opposed Peter in this matter?

“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, _because he was to be blamed_.” Verse 11.

9. What did David say he would not do?

“I have not sat with vain persons, _neither will I go in with dissemblers_.” Ps. 26:4.

10. How pure should be our love?

“Let love be _without dissimulation_.” Rom. 12:9.

11. What will become of the hypocrite’s hope?

“So are the paths of all that forget God; and _the hypocrite’s hope shall perish_.” Job 8:13.

12. What is to be the fate of that servant who, while professing to love the Lord, shows by his actions that he is worldly, and is not looking nor longing for His coming?

“The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and _appoint him his portion with the hypocrites_: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 24:50, 51. “The sinners in Zion are afraid; tearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.” Isa. 33:14.

13. What is characteristic of heavenly wisdom?

“The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and _without hypocrisy_.” James 3:17.

Danger In Rejecting Light

John Reproving Herod. "Walk while ye have the light." John 12:35.

1. How does God regard sins of ignorance?

“And _the times of this ignorance God winked at_; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30.

2. To whom is sin imputed?

“Therefore _to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not_, to him it is sin.” James 4:17.

3. In what words did Christ teach the same truth?

“Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, _We see_; therefore your sin remaineth.” “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but _now they have no cloak_ [margin, _excuse_] _for their sin_.” John 9:41; 15:22. See John 3:19.

4. In view of this, what instruction does He give?

“Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.... While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.” John 12:35, 36.

5. Who courts the light?

“Every one that doeth evil hateth the light.... But _he that doeth truth_ cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:20, 21.

The Just Recompense

Destruction Of Sennacherib’s Army. "Who will render to every man according
to his deeds." Rom. 2:6.

1. How has God recompensed men in the past?

“For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received _a just recompense of reward_; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:2, 3.

2. How are all to be rewarded in the judgment?

“For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, _according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad_.” 2 Cor. 5:10. “Who will render to every man _according to his deeds_: ... for there is no respect of persons with God.” Rom. 2:6-11. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for _whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap_.” Gal. 6:7.

3. What will be the reward of the wrong-doer?

“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap _corruption_.” Verse 8. “_Tribulation_ and _anguish_, upon every soul of man that doeth evil.” Rom. 2:9.

4. What will be the recompense of the righteous?

“But he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap _life everlasting_.” Gal. 6:8. “But _glory, honor, and peace_, to every man that worketh good.” Rom. 2:10.

5. What general rule of recompense is laid down in the Bible?

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For _with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again_.” Matt. 7:1, 2. “With the _merciful_ Thou wilt show Thyself _merciful_; with an _upright_ man Thou wilt show Thyself _upright_; with the _pure_ Thou wilt show Thyself _pure_; and with the _froward_ Thou wilt show Thyself _froward_.” Ps. 18:25, 26.

6. In view of this, what are we warned not to do?

“Recompense to no man _evil for evil_.” Rom. 12:17. “Not rendering _evil for evil_, or _railing for railing_: but contrariwise blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9.

7. What is said of those who render evil for good?

“Whoso rewardeth evil for good, _evil shall not depart from his house_.” Prov. 17:13.

8. What principle of justice should govern us in our dealings?

“Withhold not good from them _to whom it is due_, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” Prov. 3:27.

9. Where are all to be recompensed?

“Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed _in the earth_: much more the wicked and the sinner.” Prov. 11:31.

10. In meting out the final awards, what may we be sure God will do?

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth _do right_?” Gen. 18:25. “_Justice_ and _judgment_ are the habitation of Thy throne: _mercy_ and _truth_ shall go before Thy face.” Ps. 89:14.

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O that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep His statutes still!
O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do His will!

Order my footsteps by Thy word,
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.

Make me to walk in Thy commands,
’Tis a delightful road;
Nor let my head, nor heart, nor hands
Offend against my God.
ISAAC WATTS