The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 261

(3) &ssC1ciations. Right thoughts make openness to God, ~ve graciousness to our conversation, enable ns to be oonsiderete of and helpful to otbcfl!, Ae we must keep the fountain pure, if the stream is to nm sweet and clear, we muet recognize the supreme importimce of taking heed to our thoughts. ~I. OUR RESP0NSID[LITY. FOR 0 ~ THOUGHTS. On this point a sentiment prevl\ils ,vb1ch greatly needs oorroot1on. It 1s assumed that we cannot help thoughts coming up before us, and that they may be the suggestions of our soul's spiritual enemy, and so we cannot be held respon~ible for them. 'l'his is one of those half-truths that are often- times more mischievous than downright error. We are not responsible for the mere passing of thoughts, 11s in a panorama, before our mental vision ; but we are responsible for what we select of them for consideration; we are responsible for what we cherish. We are further responsible for the materials of our thought, and for the circumstances in which we place ourselves, so far as they may suggest thought. 'l'herefore we have the counsel so earnestly given us, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." III. THE SECRET OF ooNTROLLING OUR THOUGHTS. That secret is made up of parts. It includes : 1. The full surrender of our will to Christ, so that he may rule all our choices and preferences, even the very choices of our thoughts. 2. The cherished consciousness of Christ's living presence with us gives tone and harmony with him, to all our preferences. 3. The culture of mind, disposition, and habits, which involves the resolute put-tine; away from us of all associations and suggestions of evil. 4. The freeness of access t.o God in prayer for strength whenever temptation seems to have an over- coming power. 5. The occupying of heart, thought, and life so fully with the things of Chnst that there can be no room for evil. There is no more practical way of mastering doubting, sensual, corrupt thought than by turning at once t.o good reading or engaging at once in works of charity. While we pray t.o God to " cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit," we must also remember that the apostle teaches us to make personal efforts of watchfulness and good endeavour, and so "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." In every age sincere hearts have prayed the psalmist's prayer: "Search me, 0 God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everl.asting."-R. T. Ver. 7.-Mistaken judgment by appearances. "Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? " In the mind of the spostle was, no doubt, the evident disposition of the community at Corinth to "attach undue weight to the outward accidents of those who claimed their allegiance rather than to that which was of the essence of all true apostolic ministry." Bold and forward men, who make great boasting and pretension, whose appearance and manners are taking, often do incomparable mischief in Christian Churches. So easily are people carried away with the " outward appearance." The Divine teaching on this subject is given in connection with Samuel's visit to the house of Jes!!e, for the selection and anointing of Jehovah's new king. Samuel looked on the stately figure of Eliab, Jesse's firstbom, and said to himself, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel. Look not on bis countenance, or on the hei!!;bt of bis stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth ; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." Plutarch says, "We ought to be candid enough to extol the merits of him who ■peaks, but not suffer his address to lead into incaution; to regard his talents with pleasure, but investigate strictly the justness of his reasonings ; not to be influt>nced by the authority of the speaker, but to scrutinize accurately the grounds of bis argument; the orator's subject should be considered rather than his eloqueace admired." I. THE OUTWABD APPEARANCE OUGH'r TO EXPRESS THE INWARD FAOT. Outward and inward should be in perfect harmony. They should be related as are thought and word. A man's words should clearly, precisely, worthily, express to men hie thought. And so his outward appearance should exactly correspond with his inward condition. Only then can a man be" sincere." We speak of a man as being" always the same." He can ouly be so if he will let what he really is find due expression in his life. The consciously sincere man makes no show. Without restraint be lets the life speak freely what message it pleases. The life of the Lord Jesqe Christ is so sublimely attractive, ou, :1.. 1-18,] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORIN'l'HIANS, 261