Christ In Us (4)

(6) Where he enters, he possesses the whole inward and outward man. He rules the eyes, the ears, the hands; he renews all, so that our delights are made clean unlike they were before. There is such a power in his truth, that, like a branch engrafted, it changes us into itself. Where Christ dwells, he has as much power as his word. His word is like leaven, which alters the whole lump to be like itself. For the word engrafted makes the soul that believes it heavenly like itself (James 1:21). How is this? Because Christ comes with his word, and leavens, alters, changes, and turns the soul.
(7) You may know who dwells within a house by those who come in and out of it. Would you know who dwells in the soul? See what comes from within: filthy thoughts, blasphemous words, oaths, rotten discourse, eyes full of adultery, ears open to receive that which may taint the soul. Does Christ dwell there? No! Where nothing but filth comes out, the devil dwells there. These two are direct opposites; there is no third; either Christ or the devil dwells in us. When nothing comes out of a man but scorning of goodness, and that which is rotten and offensive--the devil is there. Is Christ in the heart that lets open all the senses to all that is evil, that drinks in corruption, hears all kinds of things that may cherish corruption, and sees all that may puff up the flesh? Is Christ fed with filthy discourse and seen with filthy spectacles? Oh no! Surely the spirit that is fed by these things is the devil. From the heart where Christ is there often proceeds prayer, sighs, and groans to God, and fruitful discourses to others; and all the senses and passages of the body are open to good things. He has desires to see that which is good, which may edify. He desires to speak, and to have others to speak, that which may feed the soul.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Matchless Love and Inbeing, Works, vol. 6, p. 405
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.