Such Gnats as These
The sermon emphasizes the importance of godly sorrow, which mourns for both great and small sins, and warns against unsound hearts that only mourn for great sins.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of recognizing and repenting for both great and small sins, as highlighted in Psalms 19:12. He points out that while many may lament over significant transgressions that impact their reputation or well-being, they often overlook the subtler sins such as wandering thoughts and self-confidence. True godly sorrow encompasses a deep awareness of all sins, regardless of their perceived magnitude, and leads to a heartfelt plea for cleansing from secret faults. Brooks encourages believers to cultivate a sensitivity to these 'gnats' of sin that can easily be ignored yet are detrimental to one's spiritual health.
Text
"Oh cleanse me from secret faults." Psalm 19:12
An unsound heart may mourn for great sins--which make
great wounds in his conscience and credit, and which leave
a great blot upon his name, or that waste or rot his body,
or destroy his estate, or which expose him to public scorn
and shame, etc. But for sins of omission, for wandering
thoughts, idle words, deadness, coldness, slightness in pious
duties and services, unbelief, secret pride, self-confidence,
and a thousand more--such gnats as these he can
swallow without any remorse, Proverbs 5:8-14.
But godly sorrow is of a general extent, it mourns as well
for small sins as for great. A gracious soul weeps over many
sins which none can charge upon him but God and his own
conscience.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Unsound Hearts
- The Nature of Secret Faults
- The Extent of Godly Sorrow
- Mourns for Small Sins as Well as Great
- A Gracious Soul Weeps Over Many Sins
- Only God and Conscience Can Charge These Sins
Key Quotes
“An unsound heart may mourn for great sins--which make great wounds in his conscience and credit, and which leave a great blot upon his name, or that waste or rot his body, or destroy his estate, or which expose him to public scorn and shame, etc.” — Thomas Brooks
“But godly sorrow is of a general extent, it mourns as well for small sins as for great.” — Thomas Brooks
“But for sins of omission, for wandering thoughts, idle words, deadness, coldness, slightness in pious duties and services, unbelief, secret pride, self-confidence, and a thousand more--such gnats as these he can swallow without any remorse,” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should strive to have a godly sorrow that mourns for both great and small sins.
- We should not be content with only mourning for great sins and ignoring our smaller offenses.
- We should seek to swallow no gnats, but rather to confess and repent of all our sins, no matter how small they may seem.