Indulgence of Appetite
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darkness upon the church. “All this,” says Satan, “shall be yours, if
you will depart from strict integrity. All this will I give you if you will
only please me in this, or do and say that.” And too often has Brother
B been deceived by the adversary to his own hurt and the darkening of
other minds.
There are some others in the church who need to view things from
a higher standpoint before they can be spiritually minded and in a
position where they can discern the mind and will of God, and shed
light instead of casting a shadow. Brother B needs to have his eyes
anointed, that he may clearly discern spiritual things and also the
devices of Satan. The Christian standard is high and exalted. But, alas,
the professed followers of Christ lower it to the very dust!
You have need, Brother B, of constant vigilance lest you be over-
come by Satan’s temptations to live for yourself, to be jealous and
envious, suspicious and faultfinding. If you go murmuringly along,
you make not one step of progress in the heavenly road. If you stop for
a moment in your earnest efforts and prayerful endeavors to subdue
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and control yourself, you are in danger of being overcome by some
strong temptation; you may take imprudent steps; you may manifest
an unchristian spirit, which will not only bring bitterness to your own
soul, but sadness to the minds of others. You may bring upon them a
weight of perplexity and sadness that will endanger their souls, and
you will be accountable for this baneful influence. Brother B, if you
would escape the pollution that is in the world through lust, you must
adorn the Christian profession in all things.
You will say: This is hard work; the way is too narrow, I cannot
walk in it. Is the way more strait in this letter than you find it plainly
marked out in the word of God? Heaven is worth a lifelong, persever-
ing, untiring effort. If you now draw back and become discouraged,
you will certainly lose heaven—lose immortal life and the crown of
glory that fadeth not away. Those who have a seat at the Saviour’s
side on His throne are only that class who have overcome as He over-
came. Love for pure, sanctifying truth, love for the dear Redeemer,
will lighten the labor of overcoming. His strength will be cheerfully
granted to all who are really desirous of it. He will crown with grace
and peace every persevering effort made in His name.
If your daily study is to glorify God and subdue self, He will make
His strength perfect in your weakness, and you may live so that your