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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
work, for there is nothing in their hearts in harmony with the pure
principles of truth. They seize any argument they can get with which to
tear down the advocates of truth, when they themselves do not believe
the things they urge against them. They bolster themselves up in their
chosen position, irrespective of justice and truth. They do not consider
that before them is the judgment, and that then their ill-gotten triumph,
with all its disastrous results, will appear in its true character. Error,
with all its deceptive policies, its windings and twistings and turnings
to change the truth into a lie, will then appear in all its deformity. No
victory will stand in the day of God, except that which truth, pure,
elevated, sacred truth, shall win to the glory of God.
Angels weep to see the precious truth of heavenly origin cast before
swine, to be seized by them and trampled with the mire and dirt. Cast
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not “your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet,
and turn again and rend you.” These are the words of the world’s
Redeemer.
God’s ministers should not count the opportunity of engaging in
discussion a great privilege. All points of our faith are not to be borne
to the front and presented before the prejudiced crowds. Jesus spoke
before the Pharisees and Sadducees in parables, hiding the clearness of
truth under symbols and figures because they would make a wrong use
of the truths He presented before them; but to His disciples He spoke
plainly. We should learn from Christ’s method of teaching and be
careful not to cut off the ears of the people by presenting truths which,
not being fully explained, they are in no way prepared to receive.
The truths that we hold in common should be dwelt upon first
and the confidence of the hearers obtained; then, as the people can
be brought along, we can advance slowly with the matter presented.
Great wisdom is needed to present unpopular truth before a prejudiced
people in the most cautious manner, that access may be gained to their
hearts. Discussions place before the people, who are unenlightened
in regard to our position and who are ignorant of Bible truth, a set of
arguments skillfully gotten up and carefully arranged to cover over the
clear points of truth. Some men have made it their business to cover
up plain statements of facts in the word of God by their deceptive
theories, which they make plausible to those who have not investigated
for themselves.