No Self Conceit
The sermon warns against the folly of self-conceit and the dangers of seeking wisdom from angels, emphasizing the weakness of mortal men and the consequences of folly.
Clement of Rome warns against the folly of those who mock and exalt themselves, emphasizing the insignificance of mortal man before the Lord. He highlights the impurity of humanity in comparison to the holiness of God, noting that even the heavens are not clean in His sight. Clement describes the fate of the foolish who lack wisdom, facing destruction and death due to their errors and envy. He contrasts the destiny of the righteous, who will be delivered from evil and partake in what is prepared for them.
Text
Foolish and inconsiderate men, who have neither wisdom nor instruction, mock and deride us, being eager to exalt themselves in their own conceits. For what can a mortal man do? or what strength is there in one made out of the dust? For it is written, "There was no shape before mine eyes, only I heard a sound, and a voice [saying], What then? Shall a man be pure before the Lord? or shall such an one be [counted] blameless in his deeds, seeing He does not confide in His servants, and has charged even His angels with perversity? The heaven is not clean in His sight: how much less they that dwell in houses of clay, of which also we ourselves were made!
He smote them as a moth; and from morning even until evening they endure not.
Because they could furnish no assistance to themselves, they perished. He breathed upon them, and they died, because they had no wisdom. But call now, if any one will answer you, or if you will look to any of the holy angels; for wrath destroys the foolish man, and envy kills him that is in error. I have seen the foolish taking root, but their habitation was presently consumed. Let their sons be far from safety; let them be despised before the gates of those less than themselves, and there shall be none to deliver. For what was prepared for them, the righteous shall eat; and they shall not be delivered from evil."
Sermon Outline
- The Folly of Self-Conceit
- The Folly of Seeking Wisdom from Angels
- The Consequences of Folly
- The Destruction of the Foolish
- The Blessing of the Righteous
- The Destruction of the Foolish
Key Quotes
“What can a mortal man do? or what strength is there in one made out of the dust?” — Clement of Rome
“He smote them as a moth; and from morning even until evening they endure not.” — Clement of Rome
“Wrath destroys the foolish man, and envy kills him that is in error.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We should not exalt ourselves in our own conceits, but recognize our weakness and mortality.
- We should not seek wisdom from angels, but instead seek guidance from the Lord.
- We should be careful not to be foolish and in error, lest we suffer the consequences of wrath and envy.