Warnings Against Sensational Teachings and Emotional Religion
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I have a warning to give to our brethren, that they shall follow
their Leader and not run ahead of Christ. Let there be no haphazard
work in these times. Beware of making strong expressions which will
lead unbalanced minds to think that they have wonderful light from
God. The one who bears a message to the people from God must
exercise perfect control. He should ever bear in mind that the path of
presumption lies close beside the path of faith....
Once let impulse and emotion get the mastery over calm judgment,
and there may be altogether too much speed, even in traveling a right
road. He who travels too fast will find it perilous in more ways than
one. It may not be long before he will branch off from the right road
[18]
into a wrong path.
Not once should feeling be allowed to get the mastery over judg-
ment. There is danger of excess in that which is lawful, and that which
is not lawful will surely lead into false paths. If there is not careful,
earnest, sensible work, solid as a rock in the advancement of every
idea and principle, and in every representation given, souls will be
ruined.—
Letter 6a, 1894
. [
For fuller context see pages 90-92
.]
Obedience Versus Emotion or Rapture
There is danger of those in our ranks making a mistake in regard
to receiving the Holy Ghost. Many suppose an emotion or a rapture of
feeling to be an evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. There is
danger that right sentiments will not be understood, and that Christ’s
words, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com-
manded you” (
Matthew 28:20
), will lose their significance. There is
danger that original devisings and superstitious imaginings will take
the place of the Scriptures. Tell our people: “Be not anxious to bring
in something not revealed in the Word. Keep close to Christ”....
Let us remember that the Word Christ has commanded us to preach
to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples is confirmed by the Holy
Spirit. This is God’s plan of work. Christ is the mighty power which
confirms the Word, bringing men and women, through conversion to
the truth, to an understanding faith, making them willing to do whatso-
ever He has commanded them. The human agent, the seen instrument,
is to preach the Word, and the Lord Jesus, the unseen, agency, by His