it. Many evils vanish from his life through the very first shining of the rays of knowledge. With the prophet he has learned, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6), and that even a superficial knowledge has great restoring power in it.
But there are some conditions which do not seem to yield so readily as others—conditions which are called chronic, and these, we must know, leave only upon the erasure of sin, or some secret belief in evil called sin, by the one who is showing forth the inharmonious, chronic condition.
Most chronic cases are caused by belief in sin on some one’s part; they are the out-picturiug of a belief in sinning or in being sinned against, usually both.
“Why do good people so often suffer with chronic diseases ?“ will naturally be asked. It is true they seem to be perfect in character, but ask them whether they are without sin and they will tell you they are far from sinless—no matter how peaceful they may seem externally, there is often a fierce battle raging within. An accusing conscience lies at the root of their disease, and not until they stop condemning themselves can they be free from the law of condemnation, which is always delivering the accused to the judge, who delivers to the officer, who casts into prison (Matt. 5:25).
As mortals we cannot say we are without sin. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (I John I :8), as even Paul says, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing.”—Rom. 7 :18.
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