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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
exercise faith rather than to cherish doubt and suspicion and jealousy.
We are too prone to look at obstacles as impossibilities.
To have faith in the promises of God, to walk forward by faith,
pressing on without being governed by circumstances, is a lesson hard
to learn. Yet it is a positive necessity that every child of God learn this
lesson. The grace of God through Christ is to be ever cherished; for it
is given to us as the only way of approaching God. Faith in the words
of God, spoken by Christ enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, would
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have enabled the children of Israel to leave a record of a very different
character. Their lack of faith in God gave them a very checkered
history.—MS 43, 1898.
Faith and Presumption—Some have professed to have great faith
in God and to have special gifts and special answers to their prayers,
although the evidence was lacking. They mistook presumption for
faith. The prayer of faith is never lost; but to claim that it will be
always answered in the very way and for the particular thing we have
expected is presumption.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:231
(1861).
Presumption Is Satan’s Counterfeit—Faith is in no sense allied
to presumption. Only he who has true faith is secure against presump-
tion, for presumption is Satan’s counterfeit of faith. Faith claims God’s
promises and brings forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also claims
the promises but uses them as Satan did, to excuse transgression.
Faith would have led our first parents to trust the love of God and
to obey His commands. Presumption led them to transgress His law,
believing that His great love would save them from the consequence
of their sin. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without
complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted. Gen-
uine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the
Scriptures.—
The Desire of Ages, 126
(1898).
Cultivate Faith—Those who talk faith and cultivate faith will have
faith; but those who cherish and express doubts will have doubts.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:302
(1885).
Do not think that because you have made mistakes you must always
be under condemnation, for this is not necessary. Do not permit the
truth to be depreciated before your mind because those who profess
it do not live consistent lives. Cherish faith in the truth of the third
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angel’s message. If you do not cultivate faith, its importance will
gradually lose its place in your mind and heart. You will have an