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you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles:
that, whereas they speak evil against you as evildoers, they may by
your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of
visitation” [
1 Peter 2:11, 12
].
Will you, then, disregard the plainest directions given in the Word
of God in regard to your words, your deportment, and your character?
Will you excuse levity, and even licentious acts, as though you had
done no moral wrong? Will you pass all this off by saying it was
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thoughtlessness on your part? Is it not the duty of Christians to think
soberly? If Jesus is enthroned in the heart, will the thoughts be running
riot? ...
Example of the Antediluvians—We have the history of the an-
tediluvians and of the [inhabitants of the] cities of the plains, whose
course of conduct degenerated from lightness and frivolity to debasing
sins which called forth the wrath of God in a most dreadful destruction,
in order to rid the earth of the curse of their contaminating influence.
Inclination and passion bore sway over reason. Self was their god,
and the knowledge of the Most High was nearly obliterated through a
selfish indulgence of corrupt passions.—
Letter 6a, 1888
.