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Selected Messages Book 1
measure of the man, the nature of his teaching, from the character of
his followers.
Those who have most to say against the testimonies are generally
those who have not read them, just as those who boast of their disbelief
of the Bible are those who have little knowledge of its teachings. They
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know that it condemns them, and their rejection of it gives them a
feeling of security in their sinful course.
Error’s Bewitching Power
There is in error and unbelief that which bewilders and bewitches
the mind. To question and doubt and cherish unbelief in order to excuse
ourselves in stepping aside from the straight path is a far easier matter
than to purify the soul through a belief of the truth, and obedience
thereto. But when better influences lead one to desire to return, he
finds himself entangled in such a network of Satan, like a fly in a
spider’s web, that it seems a hopeless task to him, and he seldom
recovers himself from the snare laid for him by the wily foe.
When once men have admitted doubt and unbelief of the testi-
monies of the Spirit of God, they are strongly tempted to adhere to the
opinions which they have avowed before others. Their theories and
notions fix themselves like a gloomy cloud over the mind, shutting
out every ray of evidence in favor of the truth. The doubts indulged
through ignorance, pride, or love of sinful practices, rivet upon the
soul fetters that are seldom broken. Christ, and He alone, can give the
needed power to break them.
The testimonies of the Spirit of God are given to direct men to
His Word, which has been neglected. Now if their messages are not
heeded, the Holy Spirit is shut away from the soul. What further means
has God in reserve to reach the erring ones, and show them their true
condition?
The churches that have cherished influences which lessen faith in
the testimonies, are weak and tottering. Some ministers are working
to attract the people to themselves. When an effort is made to correct
any wrong in these ministers, they stand back in independence and
say, “My church accepts my labors.”
Jesus said, “Every one that doeth evil, hateth the light, neither
cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” There are