Infatuation and Blind Love
235
duties, and have an appearance of evil. My brother, I hope you will
have self-respect enough to shun this form of courtship. If you have an
eye single to the glory of God you will move with deliberate caution.
You will not suffer love-sick sentimentalism to so blind your vision
that you cannot discern the high claims that God has upon you as a
Christian.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:44, 45
(1872).
Infatuation a Poor Ground for Marriage—These hours of mid-
night dissipation, in this age of depravity, frequently lead to the ruin of
both parties thus engaged. Satan exults and God is dishonored when
men and women dishonor themselves. The good name of honor is
sacrificed under the spell of this infatuation, and the marriage of such
persons cannot be solemnized under the approval of God. They are
married because passion moved them, and when the novelty of the
affair is over, they will begin to realize what they have done.—
The
Review and Herald, September 25, 1888
. (
The Adventist Home, 56
.)
Counterfeit Love Uncontrollable—That love which has no better
foundation than mere sensual gratification will be headstrong, blind,
[297]
and uncontrollable. Honor, truth, and every noble, elevated power of
the mind are brought under the slavery of passions. The man who is
bound in the chains of this infatuation is too often deaf to the voice
of reason and conscience; neither argument nor entreaty can lead him
to see the folly of his course.—
The Signs of the Times, July 1, 1903
.
(
The Adventist Home, 51
.)
Unsanctified Love Misleads—Unsanctified human affection al-
ways misleads, for it beckons in other paths than the way God has
pointed out.—
Letter 34, 1891
.
Repetition of Sin Lessens Powers of Resistance—He who has
once yielded to temptation will yield more readily the second time.
Every repetition of the sin lessens his power of resistance, blinds his
eyes, and stifles conviction. Every seed of indulgence sown will bear
fruit. God works no miracle to prevent the harvest.—
Patriarchs and
Prophets, 268
(1890).
Passion Destroys Everything—The words of Christ should ever
be borne in mind: “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be
also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank” (
Luke
17:26, 27
). Appetite bears sway over mind and conscience in this
age. Gluttony, winebibbing, liquor drinking, tobacco using prevail, but