Infatuation and Blind Love
243
Free Love—I have seen the results of these fanciful [spiritualistic
and pantheistic] views of God, in apostasy, spiritualism, and free-
lovism. The free-love tendency of these teachings was so concealed
that at first it was difficult to make plain its real character. Until
the Lord presented it to me, I knew not what to call it, but I was
instructed to call it unholy spiritual love.—
Testimonies for the Church
8:292
(1904).
Love Is Not Sentimentalism—The love and sympathy which Je-
sus would have us give to others does not savor of sentimentalism,
which is a snare to the soul; it is a love that is of heavenly extraction,
which Jesus exemplifies by both precept and example. But instead
of manifesting this love, how often we are alienated and estranged
one from another.... The result is estrangement from God, a dwarfed
experience, a blighting of Christian growth.—
The Youth’s Instructor,
October 20, 1892
. (
Sons and Daughters of God, 147
.)
Counterfeit Identified—We are admonished by the apostle: “Let
love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that
which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly
love; in honor preferring one another” (
Romans 12:9, 10
). Paul would
have us distinguish between the pure, unselfish love which is prompted
by the spirit of Christ, and the unmeaning, deceitful pretense with
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which the world abounds.
This base counterfeit has misled many souls. It would blot out
the distinction between right and wrong, by agreeing with the trans-
gressor instead of faithfully showing him his errors. Such a course
never springs from real friendship. The spirit by which it is prompted
dwells only in the carnal heart. While the Christian will be ever kind,
compassionate, and forgiving, he can feel no harmony with sin. He
will abhor evil and cling to that which is good, at the sacrifice of asso-
ciation or friendship with the ungodly. The spirit of Christ will lead
us to hate sin, while we are willing to make any sacrifice to save the
sinner.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:171
(1882).
Selecting a Companion—Let a young woman accept as a life
companion only one who possesses pure, manly traits of character,
one who is diligent, aspiring, and honest, one who loves and fears
God. Let a young man seek one to stand by his side who is fitted to
bear her share of life’s burdens, one whose influence will ennoble and