Dependence and Independence
213
Duty to Obey Individual Religious Convictions—Many are the
ways by which Satan works through human influence to bind his
captives. He secures multitudes to himself by attaching them by the
silken cords of affection to those who are enemies of the cross of
Christ. Whatever this attachment may be—parental, filial, conjugal, or
social—the effect is the same; the opposers of truth exert their power
to control the conscience, and the souls held under their sway have not
sufficient courage or independence to obey their own convictions of
duty.—
The Great Controversy, 597
(1911).
Individual Judgment Stifled—Though reason and conscience are
convinced, these deluded souls [professors of religion in the popu-
lar churches] dare not think differently from the minister; and their
individual judgment, their eternal interests, are sacrificed to the un-
belief, the pride and prejudice, of another.—
The Great Controversy,
597
(1911).
[268]
Independently to Stand for Right—It will require courage and
independence to rise above the religious standard of the Christian
world. They do not follow the Saviour’s example of self-denial; they
make no sacrifice; they are constantly seeking to evade the cross which
Christ declares to be the token of discipleship.—
Testimonies for the
Church 5:78
(1882).
Moral Independence When Opposing the World—Moral in-
dependence will be wholly in place when opposing the world. By
conforming entirely to the will of God, we shall be placed upon van-
tage ground and shall see the necessity of decided separation from the
customs and practices of the world. We are not to elevate our standard
just a little above the world’s standard; but we are to make the line of
demarcation decidedly apparent.—
The Review and Herald, January 9,
1894
. (
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 289
.)
Moral Independence a Virtue—Our only safety is to stand as
God’s peculiar people. We must not yield one inch to the customs
and fashions of this degenerate age but stand in moral independence,
making no compromise with its corrupt and idolatrous practices.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:78
(1882.)