Satan Gains Foothold Through False Doctrines
517
cism and speculation concerning the Scriptures have opened the way
[592]
for Spiritualism and Theosophy—those modernized forms of ancient
heathenism—to gain a foothold even in the professed churches of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Side by side with the preaching of the gospel, agencies are at work
which are but the medium of lying spirits. Many a man tampers with
these merely from curiosity, but seeing evidence of the working of a
more than human power, he is lured on and on, until he is controlled
by a will stronger than his own. He cannot escape from its mysterious
power.
The defenses of the soul are broken down. He has no barrier
against sin. When once the restraints of God’s Word and His Spirit are
rejected, no man knows to what depths of degradation he may sink.
Secret sin or master passion may hold him a captive as helpless as was
the demoniac of Capernaum. Yet his condition is not hopeless.—
The
Desire of Ages, 258
(1898).
Error and Fanaticism in a Confused Ministry—God calls upon
His people to be Christians in thought, in word, and in deed. Luther
made the statement that religion is never so much in danger as among
reverend men. I can say that many who handle the truth are not
sanctified through the truth. They have not the faith that works by love
and purifies the soul. They become accustomed to handling sacred
things, and because of this, many handle the Word of God irreverently.
They have not walked in the light but have closed their eyes to light.
This is an age of signal rejection of the grace God has purposed
to bestow upon His people, that in the perils of the last days they
may not be overcome by the prevailing iniquity and unite with the
hostility of the world against God’s remnant people. Under the cloak of
[593]
Christianity and sanctification, far-spreading and manifest ungodliness
will prevail to a terrible degree and will continue until Christ comes to
be glorified in all them that believe. In the very courts of the temple,
scenes will be enacted that few realize. God’s people will, be proved
and tested, that He may discern “between him that serveth God and
him that serveth Him not.”—
Manuscript 15, 1886
.
Conflict Between False Science and Religion—I have been
warned that henceforth we shall have a constant contest. Science,
so-called, and religion will be placed in opposition to each other, be-
cause finite men do not comprehend the power and greatness of God.