He Who Eats the Grapes of Sodom
The sermon emphasizes the importance of strict walking and avoiding worldly conformity to maintain spiritual purity and avoid sin.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strict separation from sin, using the example of Nazirites who abstained from all grape products to illustrate the need for believers to avoid even the appearance of evil. He warns that yielding to worldly temptations, even in small ways, can lead to greater spiritual peril, comparing it to a small crack in a dam that can lead to disaster. Spurgeon encourages Christians to flee from tempting situations and to embrace a lifestyle of careful walking, which, though it may require self-denial, brings its own rewards and joy. The sermon serves as a reminder that true happiness and safety lie in a life dedicated to holiness and separation from sin.
Text
"As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins." Numbers 6:4
Nazirites had taken, among other vows, one which debarred them from the use of wine. In order that they might not violate the obligation, they were forbidden to drink the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat either fresh or dried grapes. They were, in fact, to avoid even the appearance of evil.
Surely this is a lesson to the Lord's separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form; to avoid not merely its grosser shapes--but even the appearance of evil. Strict walking is much despised in these days--but rest assured, dear reader, it is both the safest and the happiest course. He who yields a point or two to the world--is in fearful peril. He who eats the grapes of Sodom--will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah!
A little crevice in a large dyke may soon break open--so that a whole town is drowned. Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins.
Doubtful things--we need not doubt about; they are wrong to us!
Tempting things--we must not dally with--but flee from them with haste!
Careful walking may involve much self-denial--but it has pleasures of its own which are more than a sufficient recompense!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Nazirite Vow
- A. Forbidden to eat or drink anything from the grapevine
- B. Including unfermented juice, fresh, or dried grapes
- II. The Lesson for the Lord's Separated Ones
- A. Avoid sin in every form
- B. Avoid the appearance of evil
- III. The Dangers of Worldly Conformity
- A. A snare to the soul
- B. Makes the soul more liable to presumptuous sins
Key Quotes
“He who eats the grapes of Sodom--will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Careful walking may involve much self-denial--but it has pleasures of its own which are more than a sufficient recompense!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should avoid doubtful things and not dally with tempting things.
- Careful walking may involve self-denial, but it has its own pleasures that are a sufficient recompense.
- Strict walking is the safest and happiest course because it helps us avoid sin and the appearance of evil.