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of his own advancement, or a stepping-stone on which he himself may
climb to a higher place.—
The Desire of Ages, 435, 436
(1898).
Stubbornness Severs Divine Help—When God sent Moses to
Pharaoh, he had light, but Pharaoh resisted, and every resistance
brought up a heavier stubbornness. Did God put a power upon him
that he could not turn to the light? No, it was indifference to evidence.
The stubbornness of Pharaoh was because light was shining that he
would not receive.—MS 15, 1894.
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Stubbornness and Conscientiousness (reflections concerning a
self-willed, self-deceived man)—As you read the letters I have sent to
Oakland, you will have some idea of the stubbornness of the man and
his determination to do as he pleases and to have his own way. He has
not heeded the counsels of the Lord but has considered it safe to walk
in the sparks of his own kindling. He will do anything and everything
to be a servant of the cause, but he will not do the very thing that the
Lord has signified is right to be done. If he will turn traitor as did
_____, he will doubtless do it under a great plea of conscientiousness.
This pretense of conscientiousness has been pretty thoroughly
tested and proved. I speak understandingly when I tell you that I
have very little confidence in his conscientiousness. There is a good
conscience and a bad conscience, and the man is most thoroughly
deceived in himself. Under this deception he will do many things in
his own spirit that are not in harmony with the Spirit of God. Yet he
will be as immovable as a rock to counsel or to any way except his
own way.—Lt 48, 1892.
Fearful Power of Self-deception—To be without the graces of
the Spirit of God is sad indeed; but it is a more terrible condition
to be thus destitute of spirituality and of Christ and yet try to justify
ourselves by telling those who are alarmed for us that we need not their
fears and pity. Fearful is the power of self-deception on the human
mind! What blindness—setting light for darkness and darkness for
light! The True Witness counsels us to buy of Him gold tried in the
fire, white raiment, and eyesalve. The gold here recommended as
having been tried in the fire is faith and love. It makes the heart rich,
for it has been purged until it is pure, and the more it is tested the more
brilliant is its luster.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:88
(1876).
Satan’s Power Over the Self-exalted—How vain is the help of
man when Satan’s power is exercised over a human being who has