Ivy in the Wall

“AIa7i’s cor7’upt 7iature has bee7i co7npaTcd to a wild fig tree, or to ivy growi7tg tipo7i a wall, of which you 7nay cut off the body, boughs, sprigs, a7idbra7iches, yet still there will be so77iething that will be sprouti7tg out agai7i U7itil the wall be digged down.’’ When we think that we have fairly done with sin it suddenly sprouts again and seems as vigorous as ever. As it is said of a tree, “at the scent of water it will bud,” so is it true of our corrupt nature, at the first opportunity it will shoot forth. Vainglorious professors have talked of their being free from all likelihood of sinning, but experienced believers in the depth of their hearts are made to feel the evil of their nature and therefore they walk humbly with God and cry to him to keep them from evil. Often does it happen that the boaster is tripped up by the enemy whom he thought to be dead and buried, while the watchful, careful Christian is preserved in the midst of the fiercest temptations and enabled to mantain his integrity.

We may well believe in the vitality of evil when we see how it survives the efforts of grace; and yet the Lord Jesus can and will destroy it, root and branch, and we shall for ever adore him when this marvellous work is accomplished. Divine Master, uproot in me the root of bitterness, and tear away the follies which twine about my soul.