Chapter 141—The Choice of Companions
We should choose the society most favorable to our spiritual ad-
vancement, and avail ourselves of every help within our reach; for Sa-
tan will oppose many hindrances to make our progress toward heaven
as difficult as possible. We may be placed in trying positions, for many
cannot have their surroundings what they would; but we should not
voluntarily expose ourselves to influences that are unfavorable to the
formation of Christian character. When duty calls us to do this, we
should be doubly watchful and prayerful, that, through the grace of
Christ, we may stand uncorrupted.
Lot chose Sodom as a place of residence because he looked more to
the temporal advantages he would gain than to the moral influences that
would surround himself and his family. What did he gain so far as the
things of this world are concerned? His possessions were destroyed,
part of his children perished in the destruction of that wicked city,
his wife was turned to a pillar of salt by the way, and he himself was
saved “so as by fire.” Nor did the evil results of his selfish choice end
here; but the moral corruption of the place was so interwoven with
the character of his children that they could not distinguish between
good and evil, sin and righteousness.—
The Signs of the Times, May
29, 1884
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