It entwines him with its deadly windings!

(William Sprague, "Lectures to Young People")  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

"So that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness!" Hebrews 3:13

How insidious is sin! People are beguiled by sin, and do not think of the danger until it is too late to avert it!

From small and almost imperceptible beginnings, sin gradually makes its way, until it reduces the whole person to its mastery, and brings into captivity every affection and faculty of the soul!

Sin first throws out the bait of 'pleasure' and then flatters its victim onto forbidden ground. Then it makes him the willing captive of temptation. Sin does not give up until its dupe is fast bound in the chains of eternal death!

Sin, in its very nature, is deceitful. It is a stranger to all open and honest dealings. Its very element is the region of . . .
  false appearances,
  lying promises,
  and fatal snares!

When sin shows itself to its unwary victim, it puts on a smiling countenance, and makes fair pretentions, and takes care to conceal its hideous features, until, like a serpent, it entwines him with its deadly windings, and renders his escape impossible, and consigns his soul to destruction!