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Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
trust wholly in God, but allowed themselves to be praised and petted
and lauded by the world’s great men, lost their balance, and thought
that great men’s sins were not vices. The heavenly guide left them,
and their course was rapidly downward to corruption and perdition.
They completely lost the just standard of honor, lost all distinction
between right and wrong, between sin and righteousness. There are
lights and shades in character, and one or the other certainly triumphs.
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But God in heaven is weighing moral worth. He will judge righ-
teously. The wicked will not always remain unchecked. Nothing but
grace and truth brought into the inner life, inwrought in the character,
is sufficient to keep the greatest, the most talented, men morally erect.
If intellectual greatness could have been sufficient, their characters
would have been firm as a rock. But they needed virtuous charac-
ters. Paul says, I am what I am by the grace of God that is in me.
God’s people must arise, and gird themselves with the whole armor of
righteousness.—
The Review and Herald, May 24, 1887
.
Reasons for Israel’s Failure—Many of ancient Israel fell just in
sight of the promised land. What was their sin? Licentiousness. And
these unholy passions of the heart are controlling with masterly power
many of those who claim to be following Christ. The words and works
of many who know the truth are corrupt. They have reasoning power,
they comprehend the truth, but have not been thoroughly converted;
have not felt the saving power of the truth upon their souls. They
do not entertain Christ as an honored guest in their house. Sensual
gratification is corroding the entire man, tainting and corrupting the
entire household.... The purity and sanctity of the marriage relation
instituted in Eden to be kept sacred, elevated, is brought down to
administer to lust.—
Manuscript 31, 1885
.
David’s Departure From Right—God selected David, a humble
shepherd, to rule His people. He was strict in all the ceremonies
connected with the Jewish religion, and he distinguished himself by
his boldness and unwavering trust in God. He was remarkable for
his fidelity and reverence. His firmness, humility, love of justice, and
decision of character, qualified him to carry out the high purposes of
God, to instruct Israel in their devotions, and to rule them as a generous
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and wise monarch.
His religious character was sincere and fervent. It was while David
was thus true to God, and possessing these exalted traits of character,