August 29, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk." — Numbers 6:4 · KJV

The Nazarites had taken, among other vows, one that barred them from the use of wine. So that they might not break it, they were forbidden even the vinegar of wine or strong drink; and to make the rule clearer still, they were not to touch the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat the fruit, fresh or dried. To secure the vow completely, they were not allowed anything to do with the vine at all — they were, in fact, to avoid the very appearance of evil. Surely this is a lesson to the Lord's separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form, to shun not merely its grosser shapes but even its spirit and likeness. Strict walking is much despised in these days, but be assured, dear reader, it is both the safest and the happiest. He who yields a point or two to the world is in fearful peril; he who eats the grapes of Sodom will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah. A little crack in the sea-bank in Holland lets in the sea, and the gap swells quickly until a whole province is drowned. Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins. Moreover, just as the Nazarite who drank grape juice could not be quite sure it had not begun to ferment, and so could not be clear in heart that his vow was intact, so the yielding, compromising Christian cannot keep a conscience void of offense, but must feel that the inward monitor is in doubt of him. Things doubtful we need not doubt about — they are wrong to us; things tempting we must not toy with, but flee from them with speed. Better be sneered at as a Puritan than despised as a hypocrite. Careful walking may involve much self-denial, but it has pleasures of its own that are more than a sufficient reward.