Beware of Moral Corruption
[
Testimonies for the Church 2:457-460
(1868).]
If the sisters were elevated and possessed purity of heart, any
corrupt advances, even from their minister, would be repulsed with
such positiveness as would never need a repetition. Minds must be
terribly befogged by Satan, when they can listen to the voice of the
seducer because he is a minister, and therefore break God’s plain and
positive commands and flatter themselves that they commit no sin.
Have we not the words of John, “He that saith, I know Him, and
keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him”?
1 John 2:4
. What saith the law? “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
Exodus 20:14
. When a man professing to keep God’s holy law, and
ministering in sacred things, takes advantage of the confidence his
position gives him and seeks to indulge his base passions, this fact
should of itself be sufficient to enable a woman professing godliness
to see that, although his profession was as exalted as the heavens, an
impure proposal coming from him was from Satan disguised as an
angel of light. I cannot believe that the word of God is abiding in the
hearts of those who so readily yield up their innocency and virtue upon
the altar of lustful passions.
My sisters, avoid even the appearance of evil. In this fast age,
reeking with corruption, you are not safe unless you stand guarded.
Virtue and modesty are rare. I appeal to you as followers of Christ,
making an exalted profession, to cherish the precious, priceless gem
of modesty. This will guard virtue. If you have any hope of being
finally exalted to join the company of the pure, sinless angels and to
live in an atmosphere where there is not the least taint of sin, cherish
[612]
modesty and virtue. Nothing but purity, sacred purity, will stand the
grand review, abide the day of God, and be received into a pure and
holy heaven.
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