Our Safety Against Delusions
57
There are quicksands upon which many are in danger of being
swamped. It is always safe to seek for the earnest of the Spirit of
God, if we do not mingle with it a force and presumption that is not
heaven born. There is need of caution in all our utterances lest some
poor souls of ardent temperament shall work themselves up into a
zeal not according to knowledge. They will act as though it was their
prerogative to use the Holy Spirit instead of letting the Holy Spirit
use them, and mold and fashion them after the pattern of the divine.
There is danger of running ahead of Christ. We should honor the Holy
Spirit by following where it shall lead. “Lean not unto thine own
understanding” (
Proverbs 3:5
). This is one danger of those who teach
the truth to others. To follow where Christ leads is a safe path for our
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feet. His work will stand. Whatsoever God saith is truth.
But ministers who bear the last message of mercy to fallen men
must utter no random works; they must not open doors whereby Satan
shall find access to human minds. It is not our work to experiment,
to study out something new and startling that will create excitement.
Satan is watching his chance to take advantage of anything of this
order that he may bring in his deceiving elements. The Holy Spirit’s
moving upon the human agents will keep the mind well balanced.
There will not be a wrought-up excitement, to be followed by reaction.
Satan will make use of every extravagant expression to the injury,
not only of the speaker, but of those who shall catch the same spirit
and infuse others to their harm. Calmness and solemnity should be
cultivated; the solemn truths we dwell upon will lead us to manifest
deep earnestness. How can we do otherwise when weighted with the
most sacred message to bear to perishing souls—weighted by the sense
of the nearness of our Saviour’s coming.
If we are constantly looking unto Jesus and receiving His Spirit,
we shall have clear eyesight. Then we shall discern the perils on every
side, and shall guard every word we utter, lest Satan find opportunity
to weave in his deceptions. We do not want to have the minds of the
people wrought up into an excitement. We should not encourage an
expectation to see strange and wonderful things. But teach them to
follow Jesus step by step. Preach Jesus Christ, in whom our hope of
eternal life is centered.—
Letter 102, 1894
.
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