“Lord, smite this sin!” – is the title of a short segment from the writings of Puritan, Thomas Watson.
How many times do we confess our sins but, do we fail to repent? Oh believer, let us cry out to God for his saving power to smite and kill our sin; to vanquish our wretched souls of the sin that is in our flesh. Let us call upon the only One who came to redeem us of our sin that He may have victory in our hearts. Let us cry out, as Thomas Watson so eloquently wrote the following segment below; Lord, smite this sin!
“Your Word is completely pure, and Your servant loves it.”
Psalm 119:140
Do we love the holiness of the Word? The Word is preached — to beat down sin, and advance holiness. Do we love it for its spirituality and purity? Many love the Preached Word only for its eloquence and notion. They come to a sermon as to a performance (Ezekiel 33:31,32) or as to a garden to pick flowers — but not to have their lusts subdued or their hearts purified. These are like a foolish woman who paints her face — but neglects her health!
Do we love the convictions of the Word? Do we love the Word when it comes home to our conscience and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins? It is the minister’s duty sometimes to reprove. He who can speak smooth words in the pulpit — but does not know how to reprove, is like a sword with a fine handle, but without an edge! “Rebuke them sharply!” (Titus 2:15). Dip the nail in oil — reprove in love — but strike the nail home!
Now Christian, when the Word touches on your sin and says, “You are the man!” — do you love the reproof? Can you bless God that “the sword of the Spirit” has divided between you and your lusts? This is indeed a sign of grace, and shows that you are a lover of the Word.
A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the Word — but not the reproofs: “You hate the one who reproves — and despise him who tells the truth!” (Amos 5:10). “Their eyes flash with fire!” Like venomous creatures that at the least touch, spit poison! “When they heard these things, they were enraged in their hearts and gnashed their teeth at him!” (Acts 7:54). When Stephen touched their sins — they were furious and could not endure it.
How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the Word?
When we desire to sit under a heart-searching ministry. Who cares for medicines that will not work? A godly man does not choose to sit under a ministry that will not work upon his conscience.
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