“The Appearance of Evil”
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neglect without repining; meanwhile she should diligently do all in
her power to bind her husband to herself by strictest fidelity to him
and faithfulness in making his home cheerful and attractive. If all her
efforts are unavailing and unappreciated, she will have the sympathy
and aid of her blessed Redeemer. He will help her to bear all her
burdens and comfort her in her disappointments. She shows distrust
of Jesus when she reaches for human objects to supply the place that
Christ is ever ready to fill. In her repining she sins against God. She
would do well to examine her own heart critically to see if sin is not
lurking in the soul. The heart that thus seeks human sympathy and
accepts forbidden attentions from any one is not pure and faultless
before God.
The Bible affords many striking illustrations of the strong influence
of evil-minded women. When Balaam was called upon to curse Israel,
he was not permitted to do so; for the Lord “hath not beheld iniquity
in Jacob, neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel.” But Balaam,
who had already yielded to temptation, now became fully the agent of
Satan; and he determined to accomplish indirectly what God had not
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permitted him to do directly. He at once laid a snare whereby Israel
should be enchanted with the beautiful Moabitish women, who would
lead them to transgress God’s law. Thus iniquity would be found in
them, and God’s blessing would not rest upon them. Their forces
would be greatly weakened, and their enemies would no longer fear
their power, because the presence of the Lord of hosts was not with
their armies.
This is intended as a warning to the people of God living in the
last days. If they follow after righteousness and true holiness, if they
keep all the commandments of God, Satan and his agents will not
be permitted to overcome them. All the opposition of their bitterest
foes will prove powerless to destroy or uproot the vine of God’s own
planting. Satan understands what Balaam learned by sad experience,
that there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither divination against
Israel, while iniquity is not cherished among them; therefore his power
and influence will ever be employed to mar their unity and defile the
purity of their characters. His snares are laid in a thousand ways to
weaken their power for good.
Again I urge upon you the necessity of purity in every thought, in
every word, in every action. We have an individual accountability to