One Sin
John Bunyan emphasizes the necessity of identifying and departing from one's 'darling sin' to achieve true freedom from iniquity.
John Bunyan emphasizes the necessity of renouncing one's 'darling sin' in order to truly depart from iniquity, as highlighted in 2 Timothy 2:19. He illustrates that clinging to a favorite sin allows other sins to persist, much like a man who cannot rid his house of pests until he removes the source attracting them. Bunyan urges believers to confront and cast out their most cherished sins to find freedom from the others that accompany them. The sermon calls for self-examination and a commitment to holiness by prioritizing the rejection of sin.
Text
"Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Tim. 2:19).
And, indeed, if a man will depart from iniquity, he must depart from his darling sin first; for as long as that is entertained, the others, at least those that are most suiting with that darling, will always be haunting of him. There is a man that has such and such haunt his house, and spend his substance, and would be rid of them, but cannot; but now, let him rid himself of that, for the sake of which they haunt his house, and then he shall with ease be rid of them. Thus it is with sin. There is a man that is plagued with many sins, perhaps because he embraceth one: well, let him turn that one out of doors, and that is the way to be rid of the rest.
Keep thee from thy darling, thy bosom, thy constitution-sin.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding the concept of iniquity - The importance of departing from sin - Identifying one's 'darling sin'
- II points: - The relationship between darling sin and other sins - How one sin can lead to many - The haunting nature of unaddressed sin
- III points: - Practical steps to rid oneself of darling sin - The ease of overcoming other sins once the darling is dealt with - The role of Christ in overcoming sin
- IV points: - The consequences of holding onto sin - The call to action for believers - The promise of freedom through Christ
Key Quotes
“Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” — John Bunyan
“If a man will depart from iniquity, he must depart from his darling sin first.” — John Bunyan
“Keep thee from thy darling, thy bosom, thy constitution-sin.” — John Bunyan
Application Points
- Reflect on your life to identify any darling sins that may be hindering your spiritual growth.
- Commit to prayer and accountability to help you overcome your darling sin.
- Embrace the freedom that comes from Christ by actively turning away from sin.