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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
with superstition and fables. We need to be on our guard, to maintain
a close connection with Christ, that we be not deceived by Satan’s
devices.—
The General Conference Bulletin, April 23, 1901
. (
Selected
Messages 2:35
.)
Fine-drawn Theories That Fill the Mind—Satan is working in
many ways that the very men who ought to preach the message may
be occupied with fine-drawn theories which he will cause to appear of
such magnitude and importance as to fill the whole mind; and while
they think they are making wonderful strides in experience, they are
idolizing a few ideas, and their influence is injured and tells but little
on the Lord’s side.
Let every minister make earnest efforts to ascertain what is the
mind of Christ. There are those who pick out from the Word of God,
and also from the Testimonies, detached paragraphs or sentences that
may be interpreted to suit their ideas, and they dwell upon these and
build themselves up in their own positions, when God is not leading
them. Now all this pleases the enemy. We should not needlessly take a
course that will make differences or cause dissension. We should not
give the impression that if our particular ideas are not followed, it is
because the ministers are lacking in comprehension.
There are in the lessons of Christ subjects in abundance that you
can speak upon, and mysteries which neither you nor your hearers
can understand or explain might better be left alone. Give the Lord
Jesus Christ Himself room to teach; let Him by the influence of His
Spirit open to the understanding the wonderful plan of salvation.—
[44]
Manuscript 111, 1894.
Turn Away From the Negative Side (counsel to a minister)—If
you could see the result of always occupying the negative side, as you
have done for years to a greater or less extent, you would have a better
understanding of the words of the Saviour, recorded in the eighteenth
chapter of Matthew. The disciples came to Jesus with the question,
“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a
little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily
I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the
kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in
My name receiveth Me. But whoso shall offend one of these little