Testing Truths
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hearts. Discussions place before the people who are unenlightened
in regard to our position and who are ignorant of Bible truth, a set of
arguments skillfully gotten up and carefully arranged to cover over the
clear points of truth. Some men have made it their business to cover
up plain statements of facts in the Word of God by their deceptive
theories, which they make plausible to those who have not investigated
for themselves.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:426
.
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Sound Arguments—It is important that in defending the doctrines
which we consider fundamental articles of faith we should never allow
ourselves to employ arguments that are not wholly sound. These may
avail to silence an opposer, but they do not honor the truth. We should
present sound arguments that will not only silence our opponents but
will bear the closest and most searching scrutiny. With those who have
educated themselves as debaters there is great danger that they will
not handle the Word of God with fairness. In meeting an opponent it
should be our earnest effort to present subjects in such a manner as
to awaken conviction in his mind, instead of seeking merely to give
confidence to the believer.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:708
.
Demonstration of the Spirit—Our work for this time is not to
be done by enticing words of man’s wisdom, such as were used by
heathen orators to gain applause. Speak in the demonstration of the
Spirit, and with the power which God alone can impart. The testing
truths for this time are to be proclaimed by men whose lips have been
touched with a live coal from off God’s altar. Such preaching will be a
decided contrast to the preaching usually heard.—
The S.D.A. Bible
Commentary 6:1084
.
Bread to the Starving—Many souls are hungering for the Bread
of life. Their cry is, “Give me bread; do not give me a stone. It is bread
that I want.” Feed these perishing, starving souls. Let our ministers
bear in mind that the strongest meat is not to be given to babes who
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know not the first principles of the truth as we believe it. In every age
the Lord has had a special message for the people of that time; so we
have a message for the people in this age. But while we have many
things to say, we may be compelled to withhold some of them for a
time, because the people are not prepared to receive them now.
When a discourse is given, the people may listen with interest,
but it is all strange and new to them, and Satan is ready to suggest
to their minds many things that are not true. He will seek to pervert