Chapter 49—Danger of Excessive Emotion
Impression by God’s Word, Not Feeling—It is through the
Word—not feeling, not excitement—that we want to influence the
people to obey the truth. On the platform of God’s Word we can stand
with safety. The living Word is replete with evidence, and a won-
derful power accompanies its proclamation in our world.—
Selected
Messages 3:375
.
Emotional Preaching—If the preaching is of an emotional char-
acter, it will affect the feelings, but not the heart and conscience. Such
preaching results in no lasting good, but it often wins the hearts of the
people and calls out their affections for the man who pleases them.
They forget that God has said: “Cease ye from man, whose breath is
in his nostrils.”—
Testimonies for the Church 5:301
.
Trust in God, Not Man—I am pained beyond measure to see
the little discernment existing among our people who have had so
great light. They listen to a sermon that stirs their emotions, and the
language of their hearts is, “Evermore give us the ministry of this man;
he moves our hearts, he makes us feel.” They forget God, and praise
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and exalt the man, to his injury and the injury of their own souls .
When will those who claim to believe the truth cease from man whose
breath is in his nostrils? When will they trust in God, make Him just
what He is—all and in all?—Lt 8, 1889.
Temporary Nature of Impulsive Decisions—There are in the
ministry men who gain apparent success by swaying minds through
human influence. They play upon the feelings at will, making their
hearers weep, and in a few minutes laugh. Under labor of this kind,
many are moved by impulse to profess Christ, and there is thought to
be a wonderful revival; but when the test comes, the work does not
endure. Feelings are stirred, and many are borne along by the tide that
seems to be setting heavenward; but in the strong current of temptation
they quickly float back as driftwood. The laborer is self-deceived, and
he misleads his hearers.—
Gospel Workers, 382
.
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