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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in
the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
False teachers had brought to the Galatians doctrines that were
opposed to the gospel of Christ. Paul sought to expose and correct
these errors. He greatly desired that the false teachers might be sepa-
rated from the church, but their influence had affected so many of the
believers that it seemed hazardous to take action against them. There
was danger of causing strife and division which would be ruinous to
the spiritual interests of the church. He therefore sought to impress
upon his brethren the importance of trying to help one another in love.
He declared that all the requirements of the law setting forth our duty
to our fellow men are fulfilled in love to one another. He warned them
that if they indulged hatred and strife, dividing into parties, and like
the brutes biting and devouring one another, they would bring upon
themselves present unhappiness and future ruin. There was but one
way to prevent these terrible evils and that was, as the apostle enjoined
upon them, to “walk in the Spirit.” They must by constant prayer seek
the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which would lead them to love and
unity.
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A house divided against itself cannot stand. When Christians con-
tend, Satan comes in to take control. How often has he succeeded in
destroying the peace and harmony of churches. What fierce controver-
sies, what bitterness, what hatred, has a very little matter started! What
hopes have been blasted, how many families have been rent asunder
by discord and contention!
Paul charged his brethren to beware lest in trying to correct the
faults of others they should commit sins equally great themselves. He
warns them that hatred, emulation, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
and envyings are as truly the works of the flesh as are lasciviousness,
adultery, drunkenness, and murder, and will as surely close the gate of
heaven against the guilty.
Christ declares: “Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones
that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged
about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” Whoever by willful
deception or by a wrong example misleads a disciple of Christ is
guilty of a great sin. Whoever would make him an object of slander
or ridicule is insulting Jesus. Our Saviour marks every wrong done to
His followers.