Chapter 8—Words of Caution
Let the Truth Cut—Christ said to His disciples: “Behold, I send
you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves.”
Matthew 10:16
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Satan’s attacks against the advocates of the truth will wax more
bitter and determined to the very close of time. As in Christ’s day the
chief priests and rulers stirred up the people against Him, so today the
religious leaders will excite bitterness and prejudice against the truth
for this time. The people will be led to acts of violence and opposition
which they would never have thought of had they not been imbued
with the animosity of professed Christians against the truth.
What course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have the
unchangeable, eternal word of God, and they should reveal the fact
that they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be
rugged and sharp. In their presentation of truth they must manifest
the love and meekness and gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the
cutting; the word of God is as a sharp, two-edged sword, and will cut
its way to the heart. Those who know that they have the truth should
not, by the use of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one chance
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to misinterpret their spirit.
No Railing Accusation—As a people, we must stand as did the
world’s Redeemer. When in controversy with Satan in regard to the
body of Moses, Christ durst not bring against him a railing accusation.
He had every provocation to do this, and Satan was disappointed
because he could not arouse in Christ a spirit of retaliation. Satan
was ready to misinterpret everything that was done by Jesus; and the
Saviour would give him no occasion, not the semblance of an excuse.
He would not turn from His straightforward course of truth in order to
follow the wanderings, and twistings, and turnings, and prevarications
of Satan.
We read in the prophecy of Zechariah that when Satan with all his
synagogue stood up to resist the prayers of Joshua the high priest, and
to resist Christ, who was about to show decided favor to Joshua, “The
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