May 7

Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook

LET NO EVIL REMAIN

   "And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that
   the Lord may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show thee
   mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath
   sworn unto thy fathers" Deut. 13:17

   Israel must conquer idolatrous cities, and destroy all the spoil,
   regarding all that had been polluted by idolatry as an accursed thing
   to be burned with fire. Now, sin of all sorts must be treated by
   Christians in the same manner. We must not allow a single evil habit to
   remain. It is now war to the knife with sins of all sorts and sizes,
   whether of the body, the mind, or the spirit. We do not look upon this
   giving up of evil as deserving mercy, but we regard it as a fruit of
   the grace of God, which we would on no account miss.

   When God causes us to have no mercy on our sins, then He has great
   mercy on us. When we are angry with evil, God is no more angry with us.
   When we multiply our efforts against iniquity, the Lord multiplies our
   blessings. The way of peace, of growth, of safety, of joy in Christ
   Jesus, will be found by following out these words: "There shall nought
   of the cursed thing cleave to thine hand." Lord, purify me this day.
   Compassion, prosperity, increase, and joy, will surely be given to
   those who put away sin with solemn resolution.