unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ. If men are so easily misled,
how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who
will be unmoved by his misrepresentations, professing to be Christ when it is only
Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ?
What will hold God’s people from giving their allegiance to false christs? “Go ye
not after them” (Luke 21:8).
The doctrines must be plainly understood. The men accepted to teach the truth
must be anchored; then their vessel will hold against storm and tempest, because
the anchor holds them firmly. The deceptions will increase.—Letter 1, 1897.
Satan is now more earnestly engaged in playing the game of life for souls than
at any previous time; and unless we are constantly on our guard, he will establish
in our hearts, pride, love of self, love of the world, and many other evil traits. He
will also use every possible device to unsettle our faith in God and in the truths
of His Word. If we have not a deep experience in the things of God, if we have
not a thorough knowledge of His Word, we shall be beguiled to our ruin by the
errors and sophistries of the enemy. False doctrines will sap the foundations of
many, because they have not learned to discern truth from error. Our only safeguard
against the wiles of Satan is to study the Scriptures diligently, to have an intelligent
understanding of the reasons of our faith, and faithfully to perform every known
duty. The indulgence of one known sin will cause weakness and darkness, and
subject us to fierce temptation.—The Review and Herald, November 19, 1908.
Look Constantly to Jesus
Under the showers of the latter rain the inventions of man, the human
machinery, will at times be swept away, the boundary of man’s authority will be
as broken reeds,
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and the Holy Spirit will speak through the living, human agent, with convincing
power. No one then will watch to see if the sentences are well rounded off, if the
grammar is faultless. The living water will flow in God’s own channels.
But let us be careful now not to exalt men, their sayings, and doings; and let not
anyone consider it a grand point to have a startling experience to relate; for here is
a fruitful field where credence will be given to unworthy persons. Young men and
women will be lifted up, and will regard themselves as wonderfully favored, called
to do some great thing. There will be conversions many, after a peculiar order, but
they will not bear the divine signature. Immorality will come in, and extravagance,
and many will make shipwreck of faith.
Our only safety is in keeping fast hold of Jesus. Never are we to lose sight of
Him. He says, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). We must cultivate an
abiding sense of our own inefficiency and helplessness and rely wholly on Jesus.
This should keep us individually calm and steadfast in words and deportment.
Excitement in the speaker is not power but weakness. Earnestness and energy are
essential in presenting Bible truth, the gospel, which is the power of God unto
salvation
There are quicksands upon which many are in danger of being swamped. It is
always safe to seek for the earnest of the Spirit of God, if we do not mingle with
it a force and presumption that is not heaven born. There is need of caution in all
our utterances lest some poor souls of ardent temperament shall work themselves
up into a zeal not according to knowledge. They will act as though it was their
prerogative to use the Holy Spirit instead of letting the Holy Spirit use them, and
mold and fashion them after the pattern of the divine. There is danger of running
ahead of Christ. We should honor the Holy Spirit by following where it shall lead.
“Lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). This is one danger of
those who teach the truth to others. To follow where
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Christ leads is a safe path for our feet. His work will stand. Whatsoever God saith
is truth.
But ministers who bear the last message of mercy to fallen men must utter
no random works; they must not open doors whereby Satan shall find access to
human minds. It is not our work to experiment, to study out something new and
startling that will create excitement. Satan is watching his chance to take advantage
of anything of this order that he may bring in his deceiving elements. The Holy
Spirit’s moving upon the human agents will keep the mind well balanced. There
will not be a wrought-up excitement, to be followed by reaction.
Satan will make use of every extravagant expression to the injury, not only of
the speaker, but of those who shall catch the same spirit and infuse others to their
harm. Calmness and solemnity should be cultivated; the solemn truths we dwell
upon will lead us to manifest deep earnestness. How can we do otherwise when
weighted with the most sacred message to bear to perishing souls—weighted by
the sense of the nearness of our Saviour’s coming.
If we are constantly looking unto Jesus and receiving His Spirit, w
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
e shall have
clear eyesight. Then we shall discern the perils on every side, and shall guard every
word we utter, lest Satan find opportunity to weave in his deceptions. We do not
want to have the minds of the people wrought up into an excitement. We should
not encourage an expectation to see strange and wonderful
