How Not to Kill a Fly on the Forehead

Was chapter five of The Bruised Reed a difficult read (no pun intended)? Don’t feel bad. So far, I found this chapter the most challenging to comprehend. The modern English edition was very helpful this week. Having said that, some of the quotes I furnish here will be from the modernized version.

In previous chapters Sibbes examined how tenderly Christ shepherds us. In Chapter five, he considers how pastors should treat those they shepherd and how we should treat each other in light of who Christ is and how He deals with us.

Christ came down from heaven and emptied himself of majesty in tender love to souls. Shall we not come down from our high conceits to do any poor soul good? Shall man be proud after God has been humble?[1]

Christ is the ultimate example of humility (Phil. 2:5-8). He came from the highest heaven to dwell on earth among fallen men. Even more, He bore our sin and shame. Indeed, should we be proud after God has been humble?

Sibbes also reminds us that, “Conscience is a tender and delicate thing, and must be so treated.”[2] We must be careful not to bind the conscience of others over mere preference.

The ambassadors of so gentle a Saviour should not be overbearing, setting up themselves in the hearts of people where Christ alone should sit as in his own temple.[3]

A Christian is a hallowed and a sacred thing, Christ's temple; and he that destroys his temple, him will Christ destroy (1 Cor.3:17).[4]

Having said that, gentleness does not preclude sharp admonition when warranted. In fact, love demands it.

And here likewise there needs a caveat. Mercy does not rob us of our right judgment... This example does not countenance lukewarmness, nor too much indulgence to those that need quickening. Cold diseases must have hot remedies. It made for the just commendation of the church of Ephesus that it could not bear them which were evil (Rev. 2:2). We should so bear with others as to manifest also a dislike of evil. Our Saviour Christ would not forbear sharp reproof where he saw dangerous infirmities in his most beloved disciples… And those whom we suffer to be betrayed by their worst enemies, their sins, will have just cause to curse us one day.[5]

If I might risk a gross oversimplification, Sibbes takes a long view of sanctification in the life of the believer. We need not go on fault finding missions with ourselves or others. In due time we will be sinless, and what a wonderful day that will be. But in the meantime, sanctification is a process, and that process will take a lifetime.

Men must not be too curious in prying into the weaknesses of others. We should labor to see what they have that is made for eternity, and incline our heart to love them; do not look into that weakness which the Spirit of God will consume in time, and which will estrange us. Some think it is strength of grace to endure nothing in the weaker brother; but to the contrary, the strongest are readiest to bear with the infirmities of the weak.[6]

In the censures of the church, it is more suitable to the spirit of Christ to incline to the milder part, and not to kill a fly on the forehead with a mallet, nor shut men out of heaven for a trifle.[7]

The best Christians in this state of imperfection are like gold that is a little too light, which needs some grains of allowance to make it pass. You must grant the best their allowance.
We must supply out of our love and mercy that which we see wanting in them. The church of Christ is a common hospital, wherein all are in some measure sick of some spiritual disease or other, so all have occasion to exercise the spirit of wisdom and meekness.[8]

Remember, love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Yes, we must use wisdom in how we apply this verse but apply it we must. And when it is necessary to admonish and rebuke, we are to do it in a spirit of meekness and humility, not with folded arms from a position of pride and superiority.

Insolent behavior toward people in misery, if humbled, is unseemly in any who look for mercy themselves. Misery should be a magnet of mercy, not a footstool for pride to trample on.[9]

Speaking from personal experience, many years ago a dear brother in Christ walked with me through an awful time of sin and failure. He knew the worst about me and yet, I never detected a whiff of pride or superiority; nor did he soft peddle truth. He simply, as best he knew how, modeled the love of Christ and in so doing, ministered life to my soul.

Galatians 6:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 

Our gentle Savior, who will not break a bruised reed nor quench a smoking flax, bids us to walk in the same manner.


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[1] The Bruised Reed (p. 28). Kindle Edition.
[2] The Bruised Reed (p. 35). Kindle Edition.
[3] The Bruised Reed (p. 27). Kindle Edition.
[4] The Bruised Reed (p. 32). Kindle Edition.
[5] The Bruised Reed (pp. 29-30). Kindle Edition.
[6] The Bruised Reed. Modernized Version
[7] The Bruised Reed (p. 31). Kindle Edition.
[8] The Bruised Reed (p. 34). Kindle Edition.
[9] The Bruised Reed. Modernized Version