BLIGHTS AND BLEMISHES

In recent years I have learned of former lovers of Christ who through neglect, or willful disobedience, have incurred moral or spiritual blights that shall not be wiped away. Cancers such as bitterness, self – conceit and secret sin have eaten away at their spiritual existence. Viewing themselves as fully justified in how they feel and think about themselves, they live their remaining days feeding their malignancies with vice and vindictiveness.

Conversely, not a few believers daily battle inner corruption, determining to never allow the least sin – inflicted blemish to mar their repute. They endeavor daily to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit to insure that their spiritual warts do not progress into soul – consuming cancers. Their perseverance in holiness preserves them from self – deception, false teaching and apostasy from the gospel.

Addressing the need for a healthy conscience, William Gurnall advised, “Better to have a dog that will, by his barking, tell us a thief is in the yard, than one that will sit still and let us be robbed before we have any notice of our danger.”

~Don Currin