He Draws Out the Core
God uses afflictions to draw out the core of pride and other sins, and to preserve believers from sinning.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that afflictions serve as God's means to draw out the core of sinful tendencies such as pride, self-love, and covetousness. He illustrates that pride, being one of the first sins, continues to be the root of many others, and God often uses pain and chastening to correct this. Brooks references Job's acknowledgment of his wrongs, highlighting that suffering can lead to repentance and a desire for righteousness. He compares sanctified afflictions to salt brine, which preserves believers from the decay of sin. Ultimately, Brooks encourages the understanding that pain can be a tool for spiritual growth and protection against sin.
Text
Afflictions are the Lord's drawing-plasters, by which He draws out the core of pride, earthliness, self-love, covetousness, etc. Pride was one of man's first sins, and is still the root and source of all other sins. Now, to prevent it, God many times chastens man with pain, yes, with strong pain, upon his bed: Job 34:31-32, "I have endured my punishment; I will no longer act wickedly. Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I won't do it again." The burnt child dreads the fire. Sin is but a bitter sweet; it is an evil worse than hell itself. Look, as salt brine preserves things from putrefying; so sanctified rods, sanctified afflictions, preserves and keeps the people of God from sinning.
Sermon Outline
- The Purpose of Afflictions
- The Effectiveness of Afflictions
- The Nature of Sin
- Painful afflictions can lead to a change of heart
- Sanctified afflictions preserve believers from sinning
- Sin is a bitter evil
- Sin is worse than hell itself
Key Quotes
“Afflictions are the Lord's drawing-plasters, by which He draws out the core of pride, earthliness, self-love, covetousness, etc.” — Thomas Brooks
“Sin is but a bitter sweet; it is an evil worse than hell itself.” — Thomas Brooks
“The burnt child dreads the fire.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should not be surprised when God uses afflictions to draw us back to Himself.
- Sanctified afflictions can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth and maturity.
- We should strive to avoid sin and its consequences by seeking God's help and guidance.