Relapse by Jos. Clarke

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 15, 1875

Relapse.

By Jos. Clarke

In sickness nothing (except death) is more to be dreaded than a relapse; a return of disease is much more dangerous and difficult than the first attack; so in spiritual things, when a victory is followed by a falling back into sin, a recovery is often hopeless.

This is well described by our Lord in the account he gives of the casting out of the evil spirit, who, being cast out, wandered through dry places, seeking rest and finding none—says to himself, I will return to the place from which I came out. Doing this, and finding it empty, swept, and garnished, he takes seven other spirits worse than himself, and enters in; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

The fort being taken, is left empty. Here is the fatal mistake. The enemy returns now reinforced, and holds it as his own.

In neglect of military rules, should a general thus proceed, he would soon be relieved of his command, and his fall would be certain. In spiritual things, there is a similarity in this respect, and to forget this principle is fatal.

In each victory there is a solemn consideration of future conflict with the powers of darkness, who will assuredly return to retake the citadel from which they have been driven.

Let us beware in our seasons of rest; for such seasons of peace and quiet may be followed by severe conflict. For Satan loves to attack us when we are off our guard; and any advantage he can thus gain, he will surely avail himself of. Let us not leave the house empty, unguarded, but seek for the guardianship of God's Spirit, and good angels.

Jos. Clarke.