QUESTION.—What should be the Christian's attitude towards the periodical records of the world's sayings and doings? W. F.
ANSWER.—We know, by the teaching of God's word that he carries about with him two natures. (see Gal. 5:1717For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17)); and it may be asked, Which of the two is it that feeds upon the world's news and the world's unhallowed literature? Is it the old or the new? "the flesh" or "the spirit"?
There can be but the one reply. Well, then, which of the two am I desirous of cherishing?
Assuredly, my conduct will afford the truest answer to this inquiry. If I really desire to grow in the divine life, I shall seek, with my whole heart, that character of nourishment which is designed of God to promote that growth. This is clear. A man's actions are always the truest index of his desires and purposes. Hence, if I find a professing Christian neglecting his Bible, yet finding ample time, yea, some of his choicest hours, for the newspaper, I can be at no loss to decide as to the true condition of his soul. I am sure he cannot be spiritual, cannot thrive, cannot be feeding upon, living for, or witnessing to, Christ.
If an Israelite did not, in the freshness of the morning hour, gather his daily portion of the divinely appointed food, the manna, he would speedily have become lacking in strength for his journey. Thus it is with the Christian. He must make Christ the paramount object of his pursuit, else his spiritual strength will inevitably decline.
He cannot even feed upon feelings and experiences connected with Christ; for inasmuch as they are fluctuating, they cannot form the soul's spiritual nourishment. It was Christ yesterday, and it must be Christ to-day, and Christ forever.