Christianity Quote by Sinclair B. Ferguson
““This same distortion appears when the gospel is preached to the natural man. Boston was all too familiar with the instinct of the awakened individual to say, “I will now try much harder, and I will do better.” It seems logical: I realize I have failed. I must reverse this failure by doing better. But it is serpentine logic, for it simply compounds the old legal spirit.””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: Preaching to the Natural Man, 1990s
The tendency to overcompensate after failure leads to legalistic thinking, worsening the problem rather than solving it.
In simple terms: Trying harder after failure can create more problems.
Key Takeaway
Avoid legalistic over‑compensation; seek humility.
Themes
faith
human nature
law
spirituality
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
didactic
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- spiritual counseling
- church teaching
Key Concepts
legalism
serpentine logic
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- How can humility replace over‑compensation?
- What practices foster genuine change?
A Different Perspective
Legalistic effort may ignore deeper transformation needed.
