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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
Genuine Faith and Presumption—The promises of God are not
for us to claim rashly, to protect us while we rush on recklessly into
danger, violating the laws of nature or disregarding prudence and the
judgment God has given us to use. This would not be genuine faith
but presumption....
Satan comes to us with worldly honor, wealth, and the pleasures
of life. These temptations are varied to meet men of every rank and
degree, tempting them away from God to serve themselves more than
their Creator. “All these things will I give Thee,” said Satan to Christ.
“All these things will I give thee,” says Satan to man. “All this money,
this land, all this power and honor and riches will I give thee”; and
man is charmed, deceived, and treacherously allured on to his ruin.
If we give ourselves up to worldliness of heart and of life, Satan is
satisfied.—
Letter 1a, 1872
(HC 93.)
Evil Angels or God’s Angels Control Men’s Minds—Either the
evil angels or the angels of God are controlling the minds of men. Our
minds are given to the control of God or to the control of the powers
of darkness; and it will be well for us to inquire where we are standing
today—whether under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel
[26]
or under the black banner of the powers of darkness.—
Manuscript 1,
1890.
(
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1120
.)
Only If We Yield—Satan cannot touch the mind or intellect un-
less we yield it to him.—
Manuscript 17, 1893.
(
The S.D.A. Bible
Commentary 6:1105
.)
Clear Insight Needed—Clear spiritual eyesight is needed to dis-
tinguish between the chaff and the wheat, between the science of Satan
and the science of the Word of truth. Christ, the Great Physician, came
to our world to give health and peace and perfection of character to all
who will receive Him. His gospel does not consist of outward methods
and performances through which the science of an evil work may be
introduced as a great blessing afterward to prove a great curse.—
Letter
130, 1901
(HC 109.)
Prayer Will Prevail Against Satan—The prayer of faith is the
great strength of the Christian and will assuredly prevail against Satan.
This is why he insinuates that we have no need of prayer. The name
of Jesus, our Advocate, he detests; and when we earnestly come to
Him for help, Satan’s host is alarmed. It serves his purpose well
if we neglect the exercise of prayer, for then his lying wonders are