The Holy Spirit tells a man of his faults in order to lead him to a better life. In John 14:8, we read: “He is to reprove the world of sin.”
There is a class of people who don’t like this part of the Spirit’s work. Do you know why? Because He convicts them of sin; they don’t like that. What they want is some one to speak comforting words and make everything pleasant; keep everything all quiet; tell them there is peace when there is war; tell them it is light when it is dark; tell them everything is growing better; that the world is getting on amazingly in goodness; that is the kind of preaching they are seeking for.
That suits human nature, for it is frill of pride. Men will strut around and say, “Yes, I believe that; the world is improving; I am a good deal better man than my father was; my father was too strict; he was Puritanical.
O, we are getting on; we are more liberal; my father wouldn’t think of going out riding on Sunday, but we will; we will trample the laws of God under our feet; we are better than our fathers.”
Just wait till you bring the Word of God to bear upon them, and the Spirit drives it home, then men will say: “I don’t like that kind of preaching; I will never go to hear that man again.” The Spirit of God convicts men of sin. Do not blame the preacher for it, but the Holy Ghost.—MOODY.
