Holy Shuddering!
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a holy shuddering at the wickedness of others, which is a sign of inward holiness and a necessary response to the horror of sin.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound horror that should grip believers when witnessing the sins of others, reflecting on how true holiness stirs a deep concern for the wickedness that forsakes God's law. He draws parallels with biblical figures like David and Jeremiah, who lamented the unholiness around them, and highlights the distress of the righteous, like Lot, in the face of immorality. Spurgeon warns that sin not only violates God's law but also serves as a reminder of our own sinful nature and the sacrifice of Christ. He urges believers to view sin with abhorrence, recognizing its destructive power and the dire consequences it brings. Ultimately, he calls for a heart that trembles at sin, as a sign of true holiness and reverence for God.
Text
"Horror grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken Your law!" Psalm 119:53
My soul, do you feel this holy shuddering at the sins of others? If not, you lack inward holiness. David's cheeks were wet with rivers of waters, because of prevailing unholiness. Jeremiah desired eyes like fountains, that he might lament the iniquities of Israel. Lot, a righteous man, was distressed because of all the immorality and wickedness around him. Those upon whom the mark was set in Ezekiel's vision, were those who sighed and cried because of the abominations of Jerusalem.
It cannot but grieve gracious souls--to see what pains men take to go to Hell. They know the evil of sin experimentally, and they are alarmed to see others flying like moths into its blaze!
Sin makes the righteous shudder, because it violates God's holy law, which is to every man's highest interest to keep. Sin pulls down the pillars of the society!
Sin in others horrifies a believer, because it puts him in mind of the vileness of his own heart. When he sees a heinous sinner, he cries, "He fell today--and, but for God's grace--I may fall tomorrow!"
Sin is horrible to a believer, because it crucified his Savior! He sees in every iniquity--the nails and the spear! How can a saved soul behold that cursed Christ-killing sin--without abhorrence?
Say, my heart--do you sensibly join in all this? It is an awful thing to insult God to His face. The good God deserves better treatment; the great God claims it; the just God will have it--or repay His adversary to his face!
An awakened heart trembles at the audacity of sin--and stands alarmed at the contemplation of its punishment. How monstrous a thing is sin! How direful a doom is prepared for the ungodly!
My soul, never laugh at sin's fooleries--lest you come to smile at sin itself! Sin is your Lord's enemy, and your enemy--view it with detestation, for only so, can you evidence the possession of holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Holy Shuddering
- A. Caused by the wickedness of others
- B. A sign of inward holiness
- II. The Effects of Sin
- A. Violates God's holy law
- B. Pulls down the pillars of society
- III. The Believer's Response
- A. Horror at the thought of sin
- B. Abhorrence of sin's punishment
- C. Detestation of sin itself
Key Quotes
“Sin makes the righteous shudder, because it violates God's holy law, which is to every man's highest interest to keep.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“How monstrous a thing is sin! How direful a doom is prepared for the ungodly!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Sin is your Lord's enemy, and your enemy--view it with detestation, for only so, can you evidence the possession of holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- You should be alarmed at the sins of others because sin is a violation of God's holy law and pulls down the pillars of society.
- Viewing sin with detestation is essential to evidence the possession of holiness.
- Sin's punishment is direful and prepared for the ungodly, so you should take sin seriously.