Fanatical Mind
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Spurious Humility—Much fitful, spurious humility is seen
among professed Christians. Some, determined to conquer self, place
themselves as low as possible; but they try only in their own strength,
and the next wave of praise or flattery carries them up out of sight.
They are not willing to submit wholly to God, and He cannot work
through them.
Take no glory whatever to yourself. Do not work with a divided
mind, trying to serve God and self at the same time. Keep self out of
sight. Let your words lead the weary and heavy-laden to Jesus, the
compassionate Saviour. Work as seeing Him who is at your right hand,
ready to give you strength for service. Your only safety is in entire
dependence upon Christ.—
The Review and Herald, May 11, 1897
.
Too Much Made of a Happy Flight of Feeling—Some are not
satisfied with a meeting unless they have a powerful and happy time.
They work for this and get up an excitement of feeling. But the in-
fluence of such meetings is not beneficial. When the happy flight of
feeling is gone, they sink lower than before the meeting because their
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happiness did not come from the right source. The most profitable
meetings for spiritual advancement are those which are character-
ized with solemnity and deep searching of heart; each seeking to
know himself and earnestly, and in deep humility, seeking to learn of
Christ.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:412
(1864).
Strange Exercises—By such fanaticism as we have lately had
among us in California in peculiar exercises and the claim of power to
cast out devils, Satan is seeking to deceive if possible the very elect.
These persons, claiming to have a special message for our people,
would charge one and another with being possessed of an evil spirit.
Then after praying with them they would declare the devil cast out.
The result of their work testified of its character. I was bidden to say
to our people that the Lord was not in these strange exercises but that
such exhibitions would deceive souls to their ruin unless they were
warned, and Bible truth would be perverted.—
Letter 12, 1909
Naturally Combative—Some are naturally combative. They do
not care whether they harmonize with their brethren or not. They
would like to enter into controversy, would like to fight for their par-
ticular ideas; but they should lay this aside, for it is not developing
the Christian graces. Work with all your power to answer the prayer
of Christ, that His disciples may be one, as He is one with the Father.