Words of Caution
Christ said to His disciples, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in
the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as
doves.” [
Matthew 10:16
.]
Satan’s attacks against the advocates of the truth will wax more
bitter and determined to the very close of time. As in Christ’s day the
chief priests and rulers stirred up the people against Him, so today the
religious leaders will excite bitterness and prejudice against the truth
for this time. The people will be led to acts of violence and opposition
which they would never have thought of had they not been imbued
with the animosity of professed Christians against the truth.
How to Meet Bitter Attacks
What course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have the
unchangeable, eternal word of God, and they should reveal the fact that
they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be rugged or
sharp. In their presentation of truth they must manifest the love and
meekness and gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the cutting; the
word of God is as a sharp, two-edged sword, and will cut its way to the
heart. Those who know that they have the truth should not, by the use
of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one chance to misinterpret
their spirit.
As a people, we must stand as did the world’s Redeemer. When
in controversy with Satan in regard to the body of Moses, Christ
“durst not bring against him a railing accusation.” [
Jude 9
.] He had
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every provocation to do this, and Satan was disappointed because he
could not arouse in Christ a spirit of retaliation. Satan was ready to
misinterpret everything that was done by Jesus; and the Saviour would
give him no occasion, not the semblance of an excuse. He would not
turn from His straightforward course of truth in order to follow the
wanderings, and twistings, and turnings, and prevarications of Satan.
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