MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH.
By William Clift
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Paul’s caveat against providing for luxurious indulgence is as much needed in our own time as in his, where for two years, dwelling in his own hired house, he studied the vices of Rome, and preached Christ. Rome in its glory sat for his picture of the abominations of heathenism, as we find it in the first chapter of Romans. Look at it: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful; who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” What an impeachment of human nature left to the light of worldly wisdom! We can hardly add a line to this catalogue of the “works of darkness” that are here enumerated. And yet Paul offers no proofs to substantiate his charges. There was little need. Those to whom he wrote were eyewitnesses of these abominations. The philosophers, orators, and poets of Greece and Rome, in the golden age of their literature, make shameless confession of these fleshly lusts, and defend them. Some of the early churches were established in such dissolute society. “Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6:9-11. This is the prevailing type of society in pagan lands to-day, and there are plague-spots in the great cities of Christian lands, hardly less revolting, in sharp contrast with the sincere piety, self-denial, and culture found in our churches. Undeniably, the tendency of human nature is toward this dark abyss of depravity. Paul reprehends this sensual indulgence, and what lies back of it, the making provision to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. “Flesh,” as used in the Scriptures, has various shades of meaning, and here designates the animal part of man, and “fleshly lusts,” the animal appetites and passions, perverted from their normal use to selfish gratification, “riot and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness.” Making provision to fulfill these lusts is to have forethought and planning to this end. It is to determine to be rich, for the sake of the means of luxurious indulgence. It is to repeat the folly of the rich man in the gospel, who pulled down his barns and built greater, that he might shelter his superabundant goods, saying, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” If we imitate his example, it will be sad to hear, amid the clinking of glasses and the popping of corks, the voice of God saying, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” The injunction cautions us against the great peril of making fortunes for our children, so that they may be idle, and form luxurious habits. If we may not make provision for the gratification of these lusts for ourselves, we may not do it for our children. No greater evil can befall them than to have them come to their majority without habits of industry and no purpose in life but to enjoy its pleasures. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and the needy.” “Labor not to be rich. Cease from thine own wisdom.” . . . If we may not make provision to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, we ought not to indulge them. “When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee; and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties; for they are deceitful meat.” Prov. 23:1-3. If we follow Paul’s injunction, we shall not patronize the grocer who deals in intoxicating liquors, and have his bottles smuggled in at the back door, among the wholesome provisions for the family. They sometimes come as gifts, or on extra orders, not given by the head of the house. If we take Paul’s advice, we shall not have to look this kind of a gift-horse in the mouth. Let us not be “ignorant of his [Satan’s] devices.” 2 Cor. 2:11. We may not furnish a building for the traffic in intoxicating drinks, no matter how solid the foundation, how polished the marble, how square the pressed brick that go into it. It may be the finest building in the city, a very palace of a hotel, worth a million of dollars. It is only so much money invested in making provision for fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. The owner is the partner of the vender, and responsible for all the deeds of darkness that flow from his business.—Rev. William Clift, in S. S. Times.