The Importance of Truth, by Louis A. Dole

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“And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” – Matthew 15:14

Readings

Genesis 2:8-17  · Matthew 15:1-14 · Psalm 146

Sermon

These words were spoken to the Pharisees. The Lord called them blind leaders of the blind. They were supposed to teach the Word, to call the attention of the people to the necessity of looking to the Lord as the source of all light and truth, whose authority ought ever to be regarded as supreme. But they falsified the Word, making it of none effect by their traditions, and under the guise of humility and sanctity sought their own glory and gain. This is the literal meaning of the story.

There is, however, a deeper meaning, one which applies to everyone today. While the letter of the Word treats of persons, the internal sense treats of principles which are universally applicable to all men without distinction or exception. The text admonishes us to look within ourselves, to examine our principles. The faculties, will and understanding, when unenlightened and ungoverned by the Lord’s Divine truth, are the blind and the leaders of the blind.

“If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch,” by Louis A. Dole

Read the original sermon in PDF format

“They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” – Matthew 15:14

Readings

Isaiah 35 · Matthew 15:1-14 · Psalm 31

Sermon

The Bible is written in terms of natural life which are familiar to us. But within this natural symbolism the Lord is telling us about things of the spirit. That it was not natural blindness of which the Lord was speaking is evident, as the words of our text were addressed to the Pharisees. They had falsified the Scriptures, and by their false teachings had led both themselves and their people astray. It is selfishness that blinds the mind to truth and leads both teacher and pupil astray. And when the Lord came upon the earth, these blind teachers could not recognize Him.

“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart,” by Louis A. Dole

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“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” – 1 Kings 3:9

Readings

1 Kings 3:5-15 · Luke 18:9-22 · Psalm 72

Sermon

The office of king represents the rule of truth. The first three kings of Israel, Saul, David, and Solomon, represent this rule in the three planes of the mind, the natural, the spiritual, and the celestial; and they represent also the order of our regeneration: the purification of our outward life, of our thoughts, and the cleansing of the heart. There are other trines in the Bible. We are especially familiar with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This order is the reverse of that of Saul, David, and Solomon. It is the order of the Incarnation, the Divine descent through the heavens, and the order of our first development from the innocence of infancy to the beginning of adult life. In men these planes are successively developed and then regenerated in the reverse order. And we should note that the personal character of Saul, David, and Solomon was quite different from what they represent. As persons they are not to be admired. We recall Saul’s impatience and disobedience, David’s crime in slaying Uriah the Hittite in order to get possession of Uriah’s wife Bathsheba, and Solomon’s final lapse into idolatry, which was worst of all.

“I will guide thee with mine eye,” by Louis A. Dole

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“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
“Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.” – Psalm 32:8-9

Readings

Isaiah 58 · Revelation 1 · Psalm 32

 Sermon

How different the lot of the righteous and that of the wicked! To the one the Lord says, “I will guide thee with mine eye.” The other is likened to non-rational creatures whose harmful mouth must be restrained.

This text teaches of the two methods of the Divine government of men: the Divine rule inwardly through the conscience – the internal method with the spiritual man – or the Divine rule outwardly through fears.