Chapter 80—Satan’s Science of Self-Exaltation
[
See section VI, “Selfishness and Self-respect.”
]
Peril of Theory of Man’s Inherent Power—If Satan can so befog
and deceive the human mind as to lead mortals to think that there is
an inherent power in themselves to accomplish great and good works,
they cease to rely upon God to do for them that which they think there
is power in themselves to do. They acknowledge not a superior power.
They give not God the glory which He claims, and which is due to
His great and excellent Majesty. Satan’s object is thus accomplished,
and he exults that fallen men presumptuously exalt themselves.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:294
(1862).
Man His Own Standard of Character—Satan beguiles men as
now he beguiled Eve in Eden, by flattery, by kindling a desire to
obtain forbidden knowledge, by exciting ambition for self-exaltation.
It was cherishing these evils that caused his fall, and through them he
aims to compass the ruin of men. “Ye shall be as gods,” he declares,
“knowing good and evil” (
Genesis 3:5
). Spiritualism teaches “that
man is the creature of progression; that it is his destiny from his
birth to progress, even to eternity, toward the Godhead,” And again:
[723]
“Each mind will judge itself and not another.” “The judgment will be
right, because it is the judgment of self The throne is within you.”
Said a Spiritualistic teacher, as the “spiritual consciousness” awoke
within him, “My fellowmen, all were unfallen demigods.” And another
declares, “Any just and perfect being is Christ.”
Thus, in place of the righteousness and perfection of the infinite
God, the true object of adoration; in place of the perfect righteousness
of His law, the true standard of human attainment, Satan has substituted
the sinful, erring nature of man himself as the only object of adoration,
the only rule of judgment, or standard of character. This is progress,
not upward but downward.—
The Great Controversy, 554, 555
(1911).
Not Found in Christ’s Teachings—I was directed to this scrip-
ture as especially applying to modern spiritualism:
Colossians 2:8
:
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