Other Men's Sins
Other men's sins serve as a reminder of the badness of our own hearts and the importance of mourning for others' wickedness.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that witnessing the sins of others serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent sinfulness within ourselves. He illustrates this through the story of an old man who mourned for others' sins, recognizing that today's sinner could be tomorrow's fall. A holy heart, he argues, should grieve for the sins of others, as this mourning helps to maintain purity and compassion. Brooks warns against those who take pleasure in the sins of others, suggesting that such attitudes align more with Satan than with true humanity. Ultimately, he calls for a deep empathy towards the lost, urging believers to weep for the chains of sin that bind them.
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By other men's sins, a holy man is put in mind of the
badness of his own heart. Bernard makes mention of an
old man, who, when he saw any man sin, lamented and
wept for him; and being asked why he grieved so, for
other men's sins, answered, "He fell today--and I may
fall tomorrow!" The falls of others puts a holy man in
mind of the roots of sinfulness which are in himself.
Other men's actual sins are as so many glasses, through
which a holy man comes to see the manifold seeds of sin
which are in his own heart--and such a sight as this
cannot but melt him and break him.
A holy heart knows that the best way to keep himself
pure from other men's sins, is to mourn for other men's
sins. He who makes conscience of weeping over other
men's sins--will rarely be defiled with other men's sins.
A holy heart looks upon other men's sins as their bonds
and chains--and this makes him mourn. Ah, how can
tears but trickle down a Christian's cheeks, when he sees
multitudes, fast bound with the cords of their iniquity,
trooping to hell? Who can look upon a sinner as a bound
prisoner to the prince of darkness--and not bemoan him?
If holy people thus mourn for the wickedness of others,
then certainly those who take pleasure in the wickedness
of others--who laugh and joy, who can make a sport of
other men's sins--are rather monsters than men! There
are none so nearly allied to Satan as these--nor any so
resemble Satan as much as these! (The devil always joys
most--when sinners sin most!) To applaud them, and take
pleasure in those who take pleasure in sin--is the highest
degree of ungodliness!
Sermon Outline
- The Purpose of Other Men's Sins
- The Effect of Other Men's Sins on a Holy Heart
- The Character of Those Who Take Pleasure in Others' Sins
- They are like monsters, rather than men
- They are closely allied to Satan and resemble him greatly
- To applaud or take pleasure in them is the highest degree of ungodliness
Key Quotes
“He fell today--and I may fall tomorrow!” — Thomas Brooks
“Other men's actual sins are as so many glasses, through which a holy man comes to see the manifold seeds of sin which are in his own heart--and such a sight as this cannot but melt him and break him.” — Thomas Brooks
“To applaud them, and take pleasure in those who take pleasure in sin--is the highest degree of ungodliness!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Mourning for others' sins helps keep you pure from sin and reminds you of the badness of your own heart.
- A holy heart looks upon others' sins as their bonds and chains, making them mourn for the wickedness of others.
- To take pleasure in others' sins is the highest degree of ungodliness and makes you closely allied to Satan.