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Counsels to Writers and Editors
A Device of the Enemy—We are to pray for divine enlightenment,
but at the same time we should be careful how we receive everything
termed new light. We must beware lest, under cover of searching for
new truth, Satan shall divert our minds from Christ and the special
truths for this time. I have been shown that it is the device of the
enemy to lead minds to dwell upon some obscure or unimportant
point, something that is not fully revealed or is not essential to our
salvation. This is made the absorbing theme, the “present truth,” when
all their investigations and suppositions only serve to make matters
more obscure than before, and to confuse the minds of some who ought
to be seeking for oneness through sanctification of the truth.—
Preach
the Word, p. 4
(1891).
“New Light” Which Unsettles Confidence—Satan hopes to in-
volve the remnant people of God in the general ruin that is coming
upon the earth. As the coming of Christ draws nigh, he will be more
determined and decisive in his efforts to overthrow them. Men and
women will arise professing to have some new light or some new
revelation, whose tendency is to unsettle faith in the old landmarks.
Their doctrines will not bear the test of God’s word, yet souls will be
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deceived. False reports will be circulated, and some will be taken in
this snare. They will believe these rumors, and in their turn will repeat
them, and thus a link will be formed connecting them with the archde-
ceiver. This spirit will not always be manifested in an open defiance
of the messages that God sends, but a settled unbelief is expressed in
many ways. Every false statement that is made feeds and strengthens
this unbelief, and through this means many souls will be balanced in
the wrong direction.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:295, 296
(1885).
Attitude to Those Claiming to Have New Light—Cling close to
your Bible, for its sacred truths can purify, ennoble, and sanctify the
soul. You must hold the truth and teach it as it is in Jesus, else it is of
no value to you. Before the light of God’s truth let human opinions and
ideas and human wisdom appear as they are in the sight of God,—as
foolishness....
If a brother differ with you on some points of truth, do not stoop
to ridicule, do not place him in a false light, or misconstrue his words,
making sport of them; do not misinterpret his words and wrest them
of their true meaning. This is not conscientious argument. Do not
present him before others as a heretic, when you have not with him