Chapter 21—Fanciful or Speculative Teachings
No Compromise
I must bear a decided message to our brethren. Let there be no
compromise with evil. Meet boldly the dangerous influences that arise.
Do not fear for the results of resisting the powers of the enemy.
In these days many deceptions are being taught as truth. Some of
our brethren have taught views which we cannot endorse. Fanciful
ideas, strained and peculiar interpretations of the Scripture are coming
in. Some of these teachings may seem to be but jots and tittles now,
but they will grow and become snares to the inexperienced.
We have a decided work to do. Let not the enemy cause us to
swerve from the proclamation of the definite truth for this time, and
turn our attention to fanciful ideas.
Unless we are individually wide awake to discern the workings
of the Holy Spirit, we shall certainly stumble and fall into Satan’s
pitfalls of unbelief. I call upon our brethren to watch as faithful
shepherds and guardians over the inexperienced, who are exposed to
the wiles of seductive influences. Keep a continual lookout for rocks
and quicksands that threaten to destroy faith in the messages that God
has given for us at this time. Watch for souls as they that must give
account....
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We need to search the Scriptures daily, that we may know the way
of the Lord, and that we be not deceived by religious fallacies. The
world is full of false theories and seductive spiritualistic ideas, which
tend to destroy clear spiritual perception, and to lead away from truth
and holiness. Especially at this time do we need to heed the warning,
“Let no man deceive you with vain words” (
Ephesians 5:6
).
We must be careful lest we misinterpret the Scriptures. The plain
teachings of the Word of God are not to be so spiritualized that the
reality is lost sight of. Do not overstrain the meaning of sentences in
the Bible in an effort to bring forth something odd in order to please
the fancy. Take the Scriptures as they read. Avoid idle speculation
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