Vice
Vice [1]
is a chronic and habitual transgression of the moral law, as distinguished from those transgressions which result from momentary temptation. It is a phase of sin (q.v.), and the remarks there made are applicable here. Vice, like every other habit, is the product of repeated acts, and, as the vicious habit strengthens, the mind of its victim becomes less and less conscious of the evil of which it is the slave, until sin is committed almost without knowing it. The hatefulness of vice both to God and man is shown in the whole of God's moral government in the world. Even in this world vice is foredoomed by the unmistakable judgment of God, and the human agents of the sentence, although they be themselves under similar condemnation, allow the law to be just. Exalted virtue secures the admiration of even the worthless, and vice, when punished, is as universally acknowledged by both good and bad to have met with its deserts. Societies for the suppression of vice have been organized in different countries, and meet with universal approval. Their object is to co-operate with the properly constituted legal authorities in preventing and suppressing the various vices which are prevalent and most flagrant.
The greater hopelessness of vice than mere sin very clearly bespeaks the wrath of God. The evil consequences of youthful folly may be lightly thought of for a time, but they remain as a root of bitterness to mar the peacefulness of more mature years. Even an imprudent choice of vicious companions will often meet with the same severe retribution as a course of downright vicious action. It has been decreed that vice, and everything that directly or indirectly belongs to ‘ it, should not go unpunished; and its escape from condemnation, so far as its own nature is concerned, is utterly hopeless. The Scriptures are very positive in their denunciations of vice (see Hebrews 2:1-3; Hebrews 3:7-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 6:6; Romans 1:29-32).
