"Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart"

The quote "Temptation is the fire that raises the scum of the heart" by Thomas Boston uses vivid images to convey an extensive ethical and spiritual message. To translate this, we can break down the metaphorical language utilized:

1. ** Temptation as Fire **: Fire is often connected with both damage and purification. In this context, fire signifies a trial or a testing force. Temptation, likened to fire, serves as a driver that provokes a reaction from a person. It is an external or internal difficulty that tests one's morals, values, and convictions.

2. ** Scum of the Heart **: The "residue" represents pollutants or negative traits such as greed, envy, pride, or deceit. In metallurgy or the refining of compounds, heat triggers impurities to rise to the surface, allowing them to be recognized and gotten rid of. Similarly, Boston suggests that temptation exposes the covert flaws or ethical weaknesses within one's heart.

3. ** The Heart as the Seat of Morality **: In numerous philosophical and religious customs, the heart is regarded as the center of feelings and ethical behavior. By referencing the heart, Boston emphasizes that the core of a person's being is where these impurities live.

Together, Boston's metaphor indicates that temptation reveals the real nature of a person's character. When confronted with temptation, the underlying negative propensities within one's heart become apparent. This revelation can be both worrying and enlightening, as it offers an opportunity for self-examination and moral development. It recommends that withstanding and getting rid of temptation is part of a refining procedure, important for individual development and spiritual perseverance.

Eventually, this quote encourages self-questioning. It prompts people to face and acknowledge their weaknesses. By understanding and overcoming the "residue" that temptation brings to the surface, one can cleanse the heart, ideally leading to a more virtuous and resilient character.