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Selected Messages Book 2
the preciousness of Jesus and the truth. And just to the degree that the
spirit of the world dwells in our heart, it will control our life.
When men are not under the control of the Word and the Spirit
of God, they are captives of Satan, and we know not to what lengths
he may lead them in sin. The patriarch Jacob beheld those who take
pleasure in wickedness. He saw what would be the result of association
with them, and in the Spirit he exclaimed, “O my soul, come not
thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou
united” (
Genesis 49:6
). He lifts up the danger signal, to warn every
soul against such associations. The apostle Paul echoes the warning:
“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (
Ephesians
5:11
). “Be not deceived: Evil company doth corrupt good manners”
(
1 Corinthians 15:33
, R.V.).
The soul is deceived when it trusts to worldly policy and human
inventions instead of trusting in the Lord God of Israel. Can man find
a better guide than the Lord Jesus? a better counselor in doubt and
trial? a better defense in danger? To set aside the wisdom of God for
human wisdom is a soul-destroying delusion.
If you would see what man will do when he rejects the influence
of the grace of God, look to that scene in the judgment hall, when the
infuriated mob, headed by Jewish priests and elders, clamored for the
life of the Son of God. See the divine Sufferer standing by the side of
Barabbas, and Pilate asking which he should release unto them. The
hoarse cry, swelled by hundreds of passionate, Satan- inspired voices,
is, “Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas” (
Luke 23:18
)!
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And when Pilate asked what was to be done with Jesus they cried,
“Crucify him, crucify him” (
Luke 23:21
)!
Human nature then is human nature now. When the divine Remedy
that would have saved and exalted human nature is despised, the same
spirit still lives in the hearts of men, and we cannot trust to their
guidance and maintain our loyalty to Christ.
God Looks Beneath the Surface
These societies, that are not controlled by the love and fear of
God, will not be found true and upright toward man. Many of their
transactions are contrary to justice and equity. He who is of too pure
eyes to behold evil will not, cannot, be a party to many things that take