A Great Degree of Holiness
True holiness is demonstrated by a person's conflict with heart sins and their spiritual victories over invisible sins.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true holiness is demonstrated through the struggle against hidden and spiritual sins that are not visible to the world. He argues that while a little grace may lead one to confront obvious sins, it is the battle against secret sins of the heart that reveals a greater degree of holiness. The preacher highlights that overcoming these internal struggles requires significant grace and spiritual strength, as they are only visible to God. Ultimately, the measure of one's holiness is reflected in their ability to confront and conquer these deep-seated heart issues.
Text
The more a man conflicts with heart sins, with spiritual
sins, with invisible sins--with sins which lie most hidden
and obscure from the eyes of the world--and the more
spiritual victories and conquests a man obtains over
them--the greater measure of holiness that person has
certainly attained to.
A little grace, a little holiness, will work a man to conflict
with gross sins,
with outward sins,
with bodily sins,
with open sins, which everyone may set their eyes on.
Yes, where there is no grace, no holiness at all,
the light of nature,
the common convictions of the Spirit,
the laws of men,
the eyes of men,
the threats of men,
the examples of men,
the smarting rod, or
a good education,
may work men to conflict with such sins.
Oh, but when all the strength and might of the
soul is engaged against those very sins that lie
not within the sight or reach of the most sharp
and piercing men in the world--but in the heart,
and about the heart, and are only obvious to
God's omniscient eye--this argues a great
degree of holiness.
When the heart rises with all its
strength and might against . . .
secret pride,
secret self-love,
secret bubblings of lusts,
secret carnal confidence,
secret murmuring,
secret hypocrisy,
secret envy,
secret self-applause,
secret malice,
secret hatred,
secret snares,
secret temptations, etc.,
it is an evidence that holiness has grown
up to some considerable height there!
It is not an easy thing, to overcome those flaming
lusts and corruptions which are in our own hearts.
Only grace, only holiness, can enable us to
overcome our lusts--our heart lusts.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Measure of Holiness
- A. Conflict with heart sins
- B. Spiritual victories over invisible sins
- C. Greater measure of holiness
- II. The Role of Grace
- A. Little grace, little holiness
- B. Conflict with gross sins
- C. Holiness as a means to conflict with outward sins
- III. The Limitations of Human Effort
- A. Natural light and human convictions
- B. External influences
- C. The need for divine enablement
- IV. The Evidence of Holiness
- A. Conflict with secret sins
- B. The role of the heart in holiness
- C. The growth of holiness
Key Quotes
“The more a man conflicts with heart sins, with spiritual sins, with invisible sins--with sins which lie most hidden and obscure from the eyes of the world--and the more spiritual victories and conquests a man obtains over them--the greater measure of holiness that person has certainly attained to.” — Thomas Brooks
“Only grace, only holiness, can enable us to overcome our lusts--our heart lusts.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We must recognize the importance of divine enablement in achieving holiness.
- Our hearts must rise against secret sins and corruptions in order to grow in holiness.
- Only through the power of grace can we overcome our heart's lusts and corruptions.