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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
creasing in reference to the Testimonies of the Spirit of God; and these
youth encourage questionings and doubts instead of removing them,
because they are ignorant of the spirit and power and force of the
Testimonies.” [
Testimonies for the Church 4:437
.]
I was shown that many had so little spirituality that they did not
understand the value of the Testimonies or their real object. They
talked flippantly of the Testimonies given by God for the benefit of
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His people, and passed judgment upon them, giving their opinion and
criticizing this and that, when they would better have placed their
hands upon their lips, and prostrated themselves in the dust; for they
could not appreciate the spirit of the Testimonies, because they knew
so little of the Spirit of God. [
Testimonies for the Church 4:443
.]
“There are some in-----who have never fully submitted to reproof.
They have taken a course of their own choosing. They have ever, to
a greater or less degree, exerted an influence against those who have
stood up to defend the right and reprove the wrong. The influence of
these persons upon individuals who come here and who are brought
in contact with them ... is very bad. They fill the minds of these
newcomers with questionings and doubts in regard to the Testimonies
of the Spirit of God. They put false constructions upon the Testimonies;
and instead of leading persons to become consecrated to God and to
listen to the voice of the church, they teach them to be independent
and not to mind the opinions and judgment of others. The influence of
this class has been secretly at work. Some are unconscious of the harm
they are doing; but, unconsecrated, proud, and rebellious themselves,
they lead others in the wrong track. A poisonous atmosphere is inhaled
from these unconsecrated ones. The blood of souls is in the garments
of such, and Christ will say to them in the day of final settlement:
‘Depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.’ Astonished they will
be, but their professedly Christian lives were a deception, a fraud.”
[
Testimonies for the Church 4:513, 514
(1880).]
“Some express their views that the testimony of Sister White cannot
be reliable. This is all that many unconsecrated ones want. The
testimonies of reproof have checked their vanity and pride; but if they
dared, they would go to almost any length in fashion and pride. God
will give all such an opportunity to prove themselves and to develop
their true characters.” [
Testimonies for the Church 3:313
(1873).]
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