The minister who keeps back hell from his people in his sermons is neither a faithful nor a charitable man.
J. C. RyleRead
It is not hard to deceive ministers, relatives and friends. But it is impossible to deceive Christ.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Deception may be easy with those close to us, but ultimate truth is known to a higher power.
This quote emphasizes the idea that while humans can be misled or misinform those around them—such as friends, family, or leaders—there is a spiritual reality or truth that cannot be obscured or hidden from a divine presence, in this case, Christ. It suggests a call to honesty and authenticity, as superficial deception may go unnoticed by others, but is fully seen by a higher moral authority.
Themes
DeceptionTruthHonestySpiritualityAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon about integrity and honesty.
More from J. C. Ryle
All quotes →Good hymns are an immense blessing to the Church. They train people for heaven, where praise is one of the principal occupations.
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When I speak of a man growing in grace, I mean simply this - that his sense of sin is becoming deeper, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, his love more extensive, his spiritual mindedness more marked.
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Those who confine God's love exclusively to the elect appear to me to take a narrow and contracted view of God's character and attributes....I have long come to the conclusion that men may be _x000D_ more systematic in their statements than the Bible, and may be led into grave error by idolatrous veneration of a system
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Never be satisfied with the world's standard of Christianity!
J. C. RyleRead
Sunday morning, before we go to hear the Word of God preached...let us not rush into God’s presence careless, reckless, and unprepared, as if it mattered not in what way such work was done. Let us carry with us faith, reverence, and prayer. If these three are our companions, we will hear with profit, and return with praise.
J. C. RyleRead
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