One Puddle, if We Wallow in It
One sin allowed and lived in can lead to great loss and even damnation, making repentance crucial for salvation.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the devastating impact of allowing even one sin to persist in our lives, illustrating how a single sin can lead to the loss of dignity and glory, much like how one fly can spoil a box of precious ointment. He warns that just as one disease can threaten a person's health, one unrepented sin can lead to eternal misery. Brooks highlights the danger of hypocrisy in seeking forgiveness for sins we are unwilling to forsake, urging listeners to recognize the seriousness of indulging in any sin. He cautions that Satan is satisfied if we yield to God in many areas, as long as we cling to at least one sin, which can ultimately lead to our downfall. The sermon serves as a stark reminder to examine our lives for any sins we may be wallowing in, as they can have dire consequences.
Text
One sin stripped the fallen angels of all their glory.
One sin stripped our first parents of all their dignity
and excellency.
One fly in the box of precious ointment spoils the
whole box.
One thief may rob a man of all his treasure.
One disease may deprive a man of all his health.
One millstone will sink a man to the bottom of
the sea, as well as a hundred.
One puddle, if we wallow in it--will defile us.
Just so, one sin allowed and lived in--will make
a man miserable forever.
Some will leave all their sins but one. Satan can hold
a man fast enough by one sin which he allows and lives
in--as the fowler can hold the bird fast enough by one
wing or by one claw.
Satan is content that men should yield to God in many
things--provided that they will be but true to Satan in
some one thing. The devil knows very well, that as one
grain of poison may poison a man, and one stab at the
heart may kill a man--just so, one sin unrepented of,
one sin allowed, retained, cherished, and practiced
--will certainly damn a man.
Though all the parts of a man's body are healthy,
except only one part--that one diseased and ulcerous
part may be deadly to you. Just so, one sin allowed,
indulged, and lived in--will prove killing and damning
to you.
It is horrid hypocrisy, damnable folly, and astonishing
impudency--for a man to beg the pardon of those very
sins which he is resolved never to forsake.
These things should be frequently and seriously thought
of, by such poor fools as are entangled by any lust.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of One Sin
- The Power of Satan
- The Consequences of One Sin
- Hypocrisy and Folly
- Begging pardon while holding on to sin
- The seriousness of sin
Key Quotes
“One sin allowed, retained, cherished, and practiced -- will certainly damn a man.” — Thomas Brooks
“One sin unrepented of, one sin allowed, will prove killing and damning to you.” — Thomas Brooks
“It is horrid hypocrisy, damnable folly, and astonishing impudency--for a man to beg the pardon of those very sins which he is resolved never to forsake.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize the danger of one sin and take steps to avoid it.
- Repent of any sin that you may be holding on to and seek God's pardon.
- Be honest with yourself and others about your sin and seek help to overcome it.