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Conscientious Persons Must Guard Against Being Deceived,
December 11
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing,
but the flesh is weak.
Mark 14:38
, NKJV.
Those professing to have new light, claiming to be reformers, will have great
influence over a certain class who are convinced of the heresies that exist in the
present age and who are not satisfied with the spiritual condition of the churches.
With true, honest hearts, these desire to see a change for the better, a coming up to
a higher standard. If the faithful servants of Christ would present the truth, pure
and unadulterated, to this class, they would accept it, and purify themselves by
obeying it. But Satan, ever vigilant, sets upon the track of these inquiring souls.
Someone making high profession as a reformer comes to them, as Satan came to
Christ disguised as an angel of light, and draws them still further from the path of
right.
The unhappiness and degradation that follow in the train of licentiousness cannot
be estimated. The world is defiled under its inhabitants. They have nearly filled
up the measure of their iniquity; but that which will bring the heaviest retribution
is the practice of iniquity under the cloak of godliness. The Redeemer of the
world never spurned true repentance, however great the guilt; but He hurls burning
denunciations against Pharisees and hypocrites. There is more hope for the open
sinner than for this class....
This man [a pseudo reformer] and those deceived by him love not the truth but
have pleasure in unrighteousness. And what stronger delusion could come upon
them than that there is nothing displeasing to God in licentiousness and adultery?
The Bible contains many warnings against these sins. Paul writes to Titus of those
who “profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable,
and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” ...
In this age of corruption when our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about seeking whom he may devour, I see the necessity of lifting my voice in
warning. “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” There are many who
possess brilliant talents who wickedly devote them to the service of Satan.... Many
of them cherish impure thoughts, unholy imaginations, unsanctified desires, and
base passions. God hates the fruit borne upon such a tree. Angels, pure and holy,
look upon the course of such with abhorrence, while Satan exults.
Oh, that men and women would consider what is to be gained by transgressing
God’s law! Under any and every circumstance, transgression is a dishonor to God
and a curse to humanity. We must regard it thus, however fair its guise, and by
whomsoever committed.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:144-146
.
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