August 19

"Abstain from all appearance of evil."—1 Thessalonians 5:22.

ABSTAIN from all appearance of evil, the wise apostle says to me.

It is best for myself. My own heart and life are damaged, some bloom is rubbed off their religion, some delicacy and sensibility are lost, if I linger within sight and sound of sin, or have the remotest traffic with the wicked thing, or so much as walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Let me keep the power to blush. Let me respect the alarm and shrinking of the soul. These things are the munitions of rocks to me, better than walls of granite or gates of brass.

It is best for others. Probably I may approach the verge of the precipice, and yet be able to draw back unharmed. But there are neighbours and brethren of mine who cannot. If they venture near, they will be sucked insensibly and irresistibly into the abyss. I must not lead them into danger. I must protect them, so far as I can, from the evil that is in the world. Their healer I am to be, and not their tempter.

It is the best for the cause of Christ. His kingdom needs for its prosperity that His servants and soldiers shall be absolutely intolerant of sin. Theirs must be the sanctity that never stoops, that keeps its garments unspotted, that impresses and overawes the world with the sense of something unearthly and divine. As the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold—it is the Master's ideal for His people.

There was an old asceticism which was extravagant and indefensible; but yet I have need of asceticism in my Christian life. I must practise habitually the total abstinence of the gospel.