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Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
unlawful affections of another. Every want is supplied in Christ. This
superficial affection is of the same character as that exalted enjoy-
ment which Satan promised Eve. It is coveting that which God has
forbidden.
When it is too late, hundreds can warn others not to venture upon
the precipice. Intellect, position, wealth can never, never take the place
of moral qualities. The Lord esteems clean hands, a pure heart, and
noble, earnest devotion to God and the truth above the golden wedge
of Ophir. An evil influence has a perpetuating power. I wish I could
set this matter before God’s commandment-keeping people just as
it has been shown me. Let the sad memory of Solomon’s apostasy
warn every soul to shun the same precipice. His weakness and sin are
handed down from generation to generation.
The greatest king that ever wielded a scepter, of whom it had
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been said that he was the beloved of God, through misplaced affec-
tion became contaminated and was miserably forsaken of his God.
The mightiest ruler of the earth had failed to rule his own passions.
Solomon may have been saved “as by fire,” yet his repentance could
not efface those high places, nor demolish those stones, which re-
mained as evidences of his crimes. He dishonored God, choosing
rather to be controlled by lust than to be a partaker of the divine nature.
What a legacy Solomon’s life has committed to those who would
use his example to cover their own base actions! We must either
transmit a heritage of good or evil. Shall our lives and our example
be a blessing or a curse? Shall people look at our graves and say, He
ruined me, or, He saved me? ...
Ministers Subjects of Satan’s Temptations—Satan’s special ef-
forts are now directed toward the people who have great light. He
would lead them to become earthly and sensual. There are men who
minister in sacred things whose hearts are defiled with impure thoughts
and unholy desires. Married men who have children are not satisfied.
They place themselves where they invite temptation. They take lib-
erties that should only be taken with their lawful wives. Thus they
fall under the rebuke of God, and in the books of heaven “adultery” is
written opposite their names.
There should be no approach to danger. If the thoughts were where
they should be, if they were stayed upon God, and the meditations of
the soul were upon the truth and the precious promises of God and the