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The Great Controversy 1888
the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering
in error.
We should exert all the powers of the mind in the study of the
Scriptures, and should task the understanding to comprehend, as far
as mortals can, the deep things of God; yet we must not forget that
the docility and submission of a child is the true spirit of the learner.
Scriptural difficulties can never be mastered by the same methods that
are employed in grappling with philosophical problems. We should
not engage in the study of the Bible with that self-reliance with which
so many enter the domains of science, but with a prayerful dependence
upon God, and a sincere desire to learn his will. We must come with a
humble and teachable spirit to obtain knowledge from the great I AM.
Otherwise, evil angels will so blind our minds and harden our hearts
that we shall not be impressed by the truth.
Many a portion of Scripture which learned men pronounce a mys-
tery, or pass over as unimportant, is full of comfort and instruction
to him who has been taught in the school of Christ. One reason why
many theologians have no clearer understanding of God’s Word is,
they close their eyes to truths which they do not wish to practice. An
understanding of Bible truth depends not so much on the power of
intellect brought to the search as on the singleness of purpose, the
earnest longing after righteousness.
The Bible should never be studied without prayer. The Holy Spirit
alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy to be
understood, or prevent us from wrestling truths difficult of compre-
hension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart to so
comprehend God’s Word that we shall be charmed with its beauty,
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admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its
promises. We should make the psalmist’s petition our own: “Open
thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
[
Psalm 119:18
.] Temptations often appear irresistible because, through
neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one cannot
readily remember God’s promises and meet Satan with the Scripture
weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing to be
taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity, they will
bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed. Thus
“when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall
lift up a standard against him.” [
Isaiah 59:19
.]