The Dangers of Middle Age

The Dangers of Middle Age

We read and hear much about the dangers of youth, and they are many and often very dangerous; but how little, comparatively, do we hear of the dangers that threaten those who have passed beyond youth into middle life! And yet they are many and dangerous.

I was vividly reminded of this a short time ago in a conversation with a man about fifty years of age. I sought to get to the bottom of his spiritual condition, and he opened his heart to me and told me freely of his sinful habits and temptations. He had once been a Christian, but had fallen away from the Lord, and had gradually become entangled in a network of evil practices, and his sins were lusts of the flesh.

What impressed me most, as I began to study this subject more carefully a few years ago, was the fact that middle-aged men and women are not free from those fearful and destructive sins that smoulder in the lusts of the flesh.

Joseph, while yet a young man, overcame these dangers and kept himself pure and unspotted. By his steadfast character he has become a praiseworthy example for all time.

But David and Solomon, as older men, both fell under temptation, thereby bringing disgrace upon themselves and upon all God’s people, thus furnishing God’s enemies through all the ages with an occasion for mockery and blasphemy.

But we need not go back to ancient history, nor to the ranks of those who make no profession of Christianity, to learn that men in mature life are liable to fall into the sins of the flesh if they do not watch and pray and keep close to the Lord. I shall never forget the shock that went through the hearts of American Christians some years ago, when an evangelist whose hair was already turning grey, a man of great spiritual power and insight, and one of the greatest preachers it has ever been my privilege to hear, fell into sin and shame. Oh, it was awful, heart-breaking, to witness how his great influence was thus reduced to nothing, how his good name was brought into reproach, how disgrace was brought upon his family, and the soul that he should have led to the Cross was led instead to the brink of hell to satisfy his lusts.

Therefore, let not only those who are still in their youth, but also those who have passed the threshold into middle life, take heed lest they fall! Let them beware of sin in its beginnings—the unclean thought, the unholy imagination, the impure desire!

Let them take heed lest for one mess of pottage they sell their good name, the friendships of years, the honour of their children, the happiness of their homes, the smile and favour of God, and their hope of Heaven.

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” Hebrews 12:15-16.

One of the greatest dangers of middle life is the constant peril of losing the freshness of our early Christian experience, when we served the Lord in holiness and purity and walked after Jesus “in the wilderness.” Jeremiah 2:2.

There is nothing in the world so wonderful and glorious as this continual renewal of the spirit amid the burdens and responsibilities, infirmities, losses, and disappointments of middle life. And there is nothing so sad and pitiable as the loss of burning zeal, simple heart-devotion, victorious hope, and the glowing spirit of youth.

The Psalmist exhorts his soul to bless the Lord who heals all his diseases, who satisfies his mouth with good things, so that his youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103.

How many there are who, instead of being thus renewed in spirit, allow their spiritual life to decay and become like Ephraim, of whom the prophet said:

“Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knows it not; yea, grey hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knows it not.” Hosea 7:9.

This fatal loss may creep upon us like a stealthy paralysis if we do not watch and pray.