Students Deciding their Eternal Destiny
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God, Satan will surely assail them with his temptations. If the great
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deceiver can stir up evil elements of character in the students, and
through them bring perplexity and discouragement upon the educators,
he has succeeded in gaining his purpose. If under the temptation the
teacher reveals weakness, in any respect, then his influence is marred;
but he who proves an agent for the great adversary of souls, must
render an account to God for the part he acted in causing the teacher to
stumble. Let students carefully consider this phase of the subject, and
let them rather study how to encourage and sustain their teachers, than
how to bring discouragement and temptation upon them. In so doing,
they will not be sowing tares that will spring up among the wheat. “Be
not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap
corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life
everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us
do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household
of faith.”
Galatians 6:7-10
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Students will be tempted to do lawless things, when it is only to
please themselves and to have what they call “fun.” If they will put
themselves upon their honor, and consider the fact that in doing these
things they bless no one, they benefit no one, but involve others as well
as themselves in difficulty, they will be more likely to take a manly
and honorable course, and put their will on the side of Christ’s will.
They will work in Christ’s lines, and help their teachers to carry their
burdens, which Satan would make more discouraging by employing
thoughtless minds in vain tricks. They will seek to make an atmosphere
in the school, which, instead of being depressing and enfeebling to
the moral powers, will be healthful and exhilarating. In thus doing,
students can have a consciousness that they have acted their part on
Christ’s side of the question, and have not given one jot of influence
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or ability to the great adversary of all that is good. With how much
more satisfaction can students recall such a course of action, than a
course of action where they have sanctioned secret plans to disrespect
and disregard authority. They will have reason to praise God that
they have resisted the clamorings of inclination, and have put their
influence on the side of order, diligence, and obedience. Let every