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Selected Messages Book 1
There are persons in the church who are not converted, and who
will not unite in earnest, prevailing prayer. We must enter upon the
work individually. We must pray more, and talk less. Iniquity abounds,
and the people must be taught not to be satisfied with a form of godli-
ness without the spirit and power. If we are intent upon searching our
own hearts, putting away our sins, and correcting our evil tendencies,
our souls will not be lifted up unto vanity; we shall be distrustful of
ourselves, having an abiding sense that our sufficiency is of God.
We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hin-
drances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself
than from the world. Unbelievers have a right to expect that those who
profess to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,
will do more than any other class to promote and honor, by their consis-
tent lives, by their godly example and their active influence, the cause
which they represent. But how often have the professed advocates of
the truth proved the greatest obstacle to its advancement! The unbelief
indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the
presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of
Satan’s devices.
Opening the Door to the Adversary
The adversary of souls is not permitted to read the thoughts of men;
but he is a keen observer, and he marks the words; he takes account
of actions, and skillfully adapts his temptations to meet the cases of
those who place themselves in his power. If we would labor to repress
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sinful thoughts and feelings, giving them no expression in words or
actions, Satan would be defeated; for he could not prepare his specious
temptations to meet the case.
But how often do professed Christians, by their lack of self-control,
open the door to the adversary of souls! Divisions, and even bitter
dissensions which would disgrace any worldly community, are com-
mon in the churches, because there is so little effort to control wrong
feelings, and to repress every word that Satan can take advantage
of. As soon as an alienation of feeling arises, the matter is spread
before Satan for his inspection, and the opportunity given for him to
use his serpentlike wisdom and skill in dividing and destroying the
church. There is great loss in every dissension. Personal friends of