Dealing with Impure Thoughts and Suggestions
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man. We must regard it thus, however fair its guise and by whomsoever
it is committed. As Christ’s ambassador I entreat of you who profess
present truth to promptly resent any approach to impurity, and forsake
the society of those who intimate or breathe an impure suggestion.
Loathe these defiling sins with the most intense hatred. Fly from those
who would even in conversation let their minds run in such a channel,
“for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Shun them
as you would the leprosy.
I call upon all who have had any confidence in these pretenders
whose lives are not elevated and whose conversation is not pure, to
measure them by the gospel rule: “To the law and to the testimony; if
they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in
them” (
Isaiah 8:20
). Let the mirror of God’s Word reflect upon them,
and discern the defects in their moral character.
Offensive Character of Sin—We are in an age of the world when
there is a fascinating, mesmeric power in all that class who would
gloss over sin, secretly insinuating impure thoughts and coming as
angels of light while they are the servants of sin. They do not sense
the offensive character of sin or the retributive justice of God that will
fall upon the sinner. I tremble for those who are not fully upon their
guard, and who will be in danger of being deceived and corrupted. As
a servant of Jesus Christ I warn you to shun the company of this class.
[105]
Let them not into your houses, neither bid them Godspeed. Separate
yourselves from their company, for they corrupt the very atmosphere
you breathe....
As Moses called to Israel that they leave the tents of Korah, Dathan,
and Abiram, we would call for all to leave these corrupt men alone to
suffer the disgrace and punishment of their crimes.
Satan in the Form of a Man—As God has shown me how ab-
horrent in His sight are these defiling sins, and as they are steadily
increasing in our world and would intrude into our churches, I warn
you to give no place to the devil. Fly from the seducer. Though a
minister, he is Satan in the form of a man. He has borrowed the livery
of heaven that he may serve his master and deceive souls. You should
not for one moment give place to an impure, covert suggestion. Grant
no indulgence. Rebuke them. Associate not with them, no not so
much as to eat [with them]. Regard with no complaisance the words
that would tarnish your soul’s purity. Even listening to an impure