the smallest viper in the nest of your heart. By Charles Spurgeon, from his sermon, The Old Man Crucified.

Depend upon it, if ever your sins are to die, it must be with the power of Christ. You will find that you cannot kill the smallest viper in the nest of your heart if you get away from the cross. There is no death for sin, except in the death of Christ.

stand and look up to his dear wounds, trust in the merit of his blood. If you love Jesus with a perfect heart, then sin-killing will not be difficult. The killing of your sin is not in your power, but if Jesus goes with you, it will be done.

I have known some people struggle against a horrible temper, and they never quite overcame it until they grew into closer communion with Christ. The mightiest gun to blow down the strongholds of sin within me is to flee to the cross of Christ. I am persuaded that nothing but the blood of Jesus will kill sin. You must get to Christ, nearer to Christ, and you will overcome sin.

Fight with your sins. Hack them in pieces, as Samuel did Agag. Let not one of them escape. Take them as Elijah took the prophets of Baal, and hew them in pieces before the Lord. Think more of Jesus' cross, spend more time in contemplation of his blessed person, drink in more of his life, and live more upon him.

If I had but one sentence that I might utter to you believers, I think I should make it this, live nearer to Christ. If you get away from your master, you will be undone. All virtues flourish in the atmosphere of the cross. All vices die beneath the shade of the cross.