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Shunning Satan’s Snares, April 10
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8
.
Satan is rallying his forces to contend with the advancing work. He would
bring reproach upon the work of God by setting brother against brother, and
bringing in the elements of suspicion and evil surmising. I am bidden to say to
our people, “Do not devise evil one against another. Do not cherish unbelief in
your hearts. Do not harbor suspicion against your brethren and sisters.” This is
one of the most successful ways in which Satan works to alienate the hearts of
those who should be doing God’s service. Spend much time in earnest prayer for
your individual selves. Talk and act as if in the presence of God....
Disaffection began in heaven because Satan could not have the place he
coveted. Disaffection and distrust had never before entered any heart. When Satan
began his evil work, he did not himself see where it would lead. But the thoughts he
entertained after a time were expressed in suggestions of evil, and these, diffused
among the angels, led to the great rebellion which was the beginning of all the
woe and misery that has befallen mankind.
To those who are inclined to suspect others of wrongdoing and to charge their
brethren with evil, I would say, “Please read in the book
Great Controversy
the
chapter entitled ‘The Origin of Evil.’” Bring home its truths to your individual
hearts. Remember that it was the spirit of envy and evil surmising, cherished in
the heart of the rebel angel, that began the evil work that opened the floodgates of
woe upon our world.
Satan is working in every church to spoil the flock of God. He seeks to lead
brother to think evil of brother, and in this way he causes a great deal of grief and
pain. I am instructed to say to every soul who professes to be a follower of Christ,
“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips, that they speak no guile.” Through
self-exaltation Satan works to ruin the soul, and his working may be seen in every
church. My brethren and sisters, keep strict guardianship over your spirit. Guard
your words, lest Satan lead you to repeat his own history.
Guard your thoughts. In these closing days of earth’s history Satan is working
with desperate effort to seduce souls into sin. Keep your tongue as with a bridle.
Keep your thoughts upon the Word of the living God. The same spirit that
prompted rebellion in heaven is at work in our churches.... We are living in the
last days of this earth’s history, and Satan is making determined efforts to subvert
the mind.—
Letter 66, April 10, 1909
, “To Those Assembled at Camp Meeting.”
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