The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 511

His principal miracle-working is described as the casting out of demons, Doubtless this was intended to be suggestive of his great spiritual work in liberating souls from the bad influences, the sinful habits and passions with which they are possessed. Thus he is a robber, breaking into the house of Satan to take away his detestable instruments. When he has done this the house itself will no longer be in the power of the evil one. V. THE BOUSE OF SATAN CANNOT BE ROBBED TILL ITS MASTER IS OVERMASTERED. 'l'he strong man will keep his house and will permit no weak intruder to rob it. 1. The first work in the salvation of the world must be the binding of Satan. Some- ·thing more must be done than to bring gracious influences to bear on individual men. An awful conflict must go on till the power of evil itself is reetrained. 2. It is impossible to raise the fallen till the sin that has ruined them is conquered. The problem of rescuing the degraded inhabitants of great cities must be faced on its moral side. Drunkenness, gambling, and profligacy must be fought and conquered before the wretched condition of these people can be effectually overcome. 3. Evil must be cast out by conquering temptation. The tempter must be bound. It is a Christian work to restrain or remove the influences that tempt to vice. VI. CBBIBT REDEEMS THE WORLD BY MASTERING THE POWER OF EVIL. 1. He worsted Satan in his temptation. 2. He effectually vanquished the spirit of evil in his work, and beheld him fall like lightning from heaven. 3. He completely mastered the evil one at Calvary and in the resurrection. 4. He now binds Sa.tan in individual hearts, conquering the ruling powers of evil within.-W. F. A. Ver. 33.-The tree and its fruit. This illustration is applied by our Lord to the use of the tongue. Words a.re the fruits of the heart that prompts them. But they are the simplest and least considered forms of action, and they stand for the extreme representa- tives of a process that applies to all conduct. Let us consider the laws of life thus set forth in their widest range. I. CONDUCT IB THE FRUIT OF LIFE. 1. It is not possi"b'le without life. Growth in the tree is only produced when the sap is flowing and the cells are active. Animal activity depends on vitality; the dead animal is stitf and stark; lowered vitality results in torpor. Mental work springs from a living mind. Spiritual movements a.re only possible when there is spiritual life. 2. It is determined by the character of the life. No manreuvres csn make a fig tree bring forth anything but figs. If the fruit is poor we cannot improve it by doctoring it. Here is a law of necessity. We are constantly finding in practice that our wills and energies and capacities are limited by our nature. Free-will is not enjoyed without many checks. Not only dp our natures determine what we can accomplish; our habits very largely decide it. II. LIFE MAY BE ESTIMATED BY 0ONDUOT. We judge of the tree by the fruit it bears, and we judge of the man by th& conduct he displays. 1. Other estimates are delusive. (1) Profession. This may be hypocritically false; or, if not so bad, it may still be enormously enlarged by self-flattery. (2) Promises. 'l'hese may be well meant; yet there may not be energy to keep them, or they may be forgotten or neglected when they are due. The leaves may be green and yet the fruit may be bitter. 2. Conduct is a sure test. This is real. It requires energy, employs faculty, and produces a. tangible result. Still, it needs to be fairly judged. (1) At the right time. The tree is not barren just because it is bare in winter. We must wait for a harvest. (2) By the true standard. The most beautiful fruit is not always the sweetest. There is a flashy conduct which arrests the attention and claims the admiration of all beholders, and yet which is hollow and useless. 3. Slight actions are tests of serious conditions of character. We shall be judged by our words. Even thoughtless, light words will be taken account of, because they too spring from the tone and temper of the mind. They are the straws that show which way the stream is flowing. Sometimes they aro better tests than more important actions, because they are unpr~meditated, and there- fore true to our charaoters. We reveal ourselves when we are off our guard. Ill. THE BEFOBJIUTION OF 0ONDU0T DEPENDS ON TIii!: &EOENERATI0N OF LIFE. This practical conclusion necessarily follows on the principles which determine the growth of conduct. Manners may be improved by a superficial polish. But the really moral character of our actions cannot be transformed by any external process. Do what we 508 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [ea. xn.1-li&.