Chapter 29—Influence of Unbelief
The church in-----has greatly backslidden from God. It is no longer
in a state of healthful prosperity. Each individual member of the church
has had burdens and discouragements of his own to bear, but these
he should have borne and kept his soul alive before God without
weakening others in the church. He should have added to the strength
of the church instead of diminishing it. Brother C has not taken a
position to strengthen his own faith or that of the church. He has been
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acting on the side of the enemy to dishearten and discourage. Satan is
constantly encouraging unbelief. He notes the mistakes and failings of
Christ’s professed followers, and taunts the angels of God with them.
He is an accuser of the brethren, and he will influence as many as
possible to do the same work. Those who take it upon themselves to
watch their neighbor’s garden instead of weeding their own plot of
ground will surely find their own gardens so grown up to weeds that
every precious plant will be crowded out.
Brother C is not in a position to be a light to the world. Oh,
no; he is a body of darkness. Eternity will reveal the fact that his
inconsiderate words have planted the seeds of questioning, doubt, and
faultfinding in many minds and that his influence has turned many
souls from the truth. He has consented to make himself a channel of
darkness, to communicate suspicion and bring discouragement upon
minds. God is not pleased with him. His own soul is becoming less
and less susceptible to the influence of the Spirit of God. He has but
little faith; and how could it be otherwise, when by his words he is
constantly strengthening unbelief? While he suggests doubts instead
of letting beams of precious light shine upon others, he is aiding the
enemy in his work. This spirit makes him almost an infidel, and unless
he turns square about he will yet become one.
Brother C is thoughtless of his words and actions. Idle words,
for which he must render an account in the day of God, are almost
continually falling from his lips. He places himself upon the enemy’s
ground and, as the result, has not the Spirit of Christ. He will sometime
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