Dangers in Psychology
23
of love the Father hath bestowed upon us” (
1 John 3:1
).—
Manuscript
7, 1888.
The Artful Insinuation Versus the Open, Bold Attack—If Sa-
tan were to make an open and bold attack upon Christianity, it would
bring the Christian at once to the feet of his Mighty Deliverer, who
alone could put the adversary to flight. He does not generally do
this. He is artful and knows that the most effectual way for him to
accomplish his designs is to come to poor, fallen man in the form of
an angel of light. In this disguise he works upon the mind to allure
from the safe and right path. He has ever been ambitious to counterfeit
the work of Christ and establish his own power and claims. He leads
deceived mortals to account for the works and miracles of Christ upon
scientific principles; he makes them appear as the result of human skill
and power. In many minds he will thus eventually destroy all true faith
in Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God.—
The Signs of the Times,
November 6, 1884
.
[22]
Youthful Minds His Special Objective—It is the special work of
Satan in these last days to take possession of the minds of the youth, to
corrupt their thoughts, and inflame their passions. All are free moral
agents, and as such they must bring their thoughts to run in the right
channel.—
Manuscript 93, Undated.
(HC 337.)
Satan Controls Mind Not Directed by Holy Spirit—Few be-
lieve that humanity has sunk so low as it has or that it is so thoroughly
bad, so desperately opposed to God, as it is. “The carnal mind is
enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be” (
Romans 8:7
).
When the mind is not under the direct influence of the Spirit of
God, Satan can mold it as he chooses. All the rational powers which he
controls he will carnalize. He is directly opposed to God in his tastes,
views, preferences, likes and dislikes, choice of things and pursuits;
there is no relish for what God loves or approves, but a delight in those
things which He despises; therefore a course is maintained which is
offensive to Him.
This leads to controversy with those who are trying to walk in
the way of the Lord. They [those who oppose truth] will call light
darkness, and darkness light; good evil, and evil good.—
Letter 8,
1891