Chapter 5—The Fanatical Mind
[
Note: Webster defines fanaticism as “excessive enthusiasm” or “un-
reasoning zeal.”—Compilers.]
Fanatics and Fanaticism Will Press In—We are living in a time
when every phase of fanaticism will press its way in among believers
and unbelievers. Satan will come in, speaking lies in hypocrisy. Ev-
erything that he can invent to deceive men and women will be brought
forward.—
Letter 121, 1901
How Satan Does It—We have found in our experience that if
Satan cannot keep souls bound in the ice of indifference, he will try
to push them into the fire of fanaticism. When the Spirit of the Lord
comes among His people, the enemy seizes his opportunity to work
also upon different minds and lead them to mingle their own peculiar
traits of character with the work of God. Thus there is always danger
that they may allow their own spirit to mingle with the work and that
unwise moves may be made. Many carry on a work of their own
devising that is not prompted by God.—
Letter 34, 1889
(Similar to
Testimonies for the Church 5:644
.)
Result of Cherishing Defective Tendencies—There are some
who will not hear. So long have they chosen to follow their own
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way and their own wisdom, so long have they cherished defective
hereditary and cultivated tendencies of character, that they are blind
and cannot see afar off. By them, principles are perverted, false stan-
dards are raised, tests are made that bear not the signature of Heaven....
Some of these very ones make their boasts in the Lord as a people
who do righteousness and forsake not the ordinances of their God.—
Manuscript 36, 1902.
Bereft of a Healthy Mental Attitude—Those taken in Satan’s
snare have not yet come to a healthy mental attitude. They are dazed,
self-important, self-sufficient. Oh, with what sorrow the Lord looks
upon them and hears their great swelling words of vanity. They are
puffed up with pride. The enemy is looking on with surprise at their
being taken captive so easily.—
Letter 126, 1906
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