Sin of Licentiousness
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agents to allure or attract men to take liberties which are condemned in
the law of God. And men in responsible positions, teaching the claims
of God’s law, whose mouths are filled with arguments in vindication
of His law, against which Satan has made such a raid—over such he
sets his hellish powers and his agencies at work, and overthrows them
upon the weak points in their character, knowing that he who offends
on one point is guilty of all, thus obtaining complete mastery over the
entire man.
Mind, soul, body, and conscience are involved in the ruin. If he be
a messenger of righteousness, and has had great light, or if the Lord
has used him as His special worker in the cause of truth, then how
great is the triumph of Satan! How he exults! How God is dishonored!
Licentiousness, One of Satan’s Enchantments—The licentious
practice of the Hebrews accomplished for them that which all the
warfare of nations and the enchantments of Balaam could not do. They
became separated from their God. Their covering and protection were
removed from them. God turned to be their enemy. So many of the
princes and people were guilty of licentiousness, that it became a
national sin; for God was wroth with the whole congregation.
The very same Satan is now working to the very same end, to
weaken and destroy the people who claim to be keeping the command-
ments of God, as they are just on the borders of the heavenly Canaan.
Satan knows it is his time. He has but little time left now in which to
work, and he will work with tremendous power to ensnare the people
of God upon their weak points of character.
Women as Tempters—There will be women who will become
tempters, and who will do their best to attract and win the attention
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of men to themselves. First, they will seek to win their sympathy,
next their affections, and then to induce them to break God’s holy
law. Those who have dishonored their minds and affections by placing
them where God’s Word forbids, will not scruple to dishonor God by
various species of idolatry. God will leave them to their vile affections.
It is necessary to guard the thoughts; to fence the soul about with
the injunctions of God’s Word; and to be very careful in every thought,
word, and action not to be betrayed into sin. It is necessary to guard
against the cultivation of the indulgence of the lower passions. This is
not the fruit of sanctified thoughts or hearts.